Miami, Florida – The boys are back as the Miami Hurricanes reload for another season, seeking to return to the College Football Playoff National Championship. UM came pretty darn close to winning a Natty, but almost isn’t good enough. Entering his fifth year at Coral Gables, coach Mario Cristobal knows the expectation is championship-or-bust. Last year’s 13-3 campaign ended in a heartbreaker, with the Hurricanes falling painfully short against Indiana at the Hard Rock. Cristobal remains a man on a mission, a former Canes player who wants to give back to the school that gave him his dream job, using the newest recruits, transfers, and returning players to fulfill this aim.
Another GREAT work day on Greentree! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/ZVULYy6PiL
— Miami Hurricanes Football (@CanesFootball) August 6, 2026
Ranked seventh in the preseason AP Top 25 College Football Poll, the Cardiac Canes will showcase one of the country’s best offenses, complemented by a formidable defense. Despite the unit losing a lot of talent due to the program’s ability to propel players to the pros, the squad remains robust enough to perform to its expectations. Since I am a firm believer that defense wins championships, we’ll kick off the preview there.
D-Line
Games are won in the trenches. Defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman is overseeing a vastly different group this season, including the crucial defensive line. Miami no longer has Reuben Bain or Akheem Mesidor, but Armondo Blount, Marquise Lightfoot, Justin Scott, and Ahmad Moten Sr. are ready to step up to the next level. Although Blount only recorded 17 tackles (seven solo) and 2.5 sacks in 2025, he’s going to have a significantly bigger role. For those who might not remember, Blount was a five-star recruit in the 2024 class. Lightfoot was another five-star, totaling 25 tackles (16 solo) and 2.5 sacks last season. Blount’s physicality and Lightfoot’s speed will hopefully be this year’s double whammy on the edge. They’ll be reinforced by Missouri transfer Damon Wilson II, who racked up 9 sacks and an interception. Considered one of the best edge rushers from the portal, Wilson II earned second-team All-SEC honors.
Armondo Blount 😤
pic.twitter.com/O411ZzbzO1— Grant Reacts (@GrantReacts1) December 29, 2025
Shifting inward, fans will see more of Scott, who is also from the 2024 class. The five-star defensive lineman had a solid year, making a few big plays. He accumulated 26 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, a sack, and the big forced fumble against Notre Dame. Similar to Scott, Moten can slip into the backfield and cause some havoc. The redshirt senior amassed 31 tackles and 4.5 sacks, previewing how much his presence will bolster the line. Ohio State transfer Jarquez Carter and Nebraska transfer Keona Davis will be rotated in. Carter was a four-star prospect who barely saw action at star-studded Ohio State. He’ll be hungry for playing time. Davis, meanwhile, was productive for the Cornhuskers, notching 32 tackles, 3.5 TFLs, and 1.5 sacks. Lastly, redshirt freshman Mykah Newton will serve as additional depth.
Damon Wilson II Vs Kadyn Proctor and Alabama.
Wilson has a wicked first step and wins a lot of his pass rush reps this way. Elite edge bender, will harass QBs with pressures nearly every pass rush snap and displays active hands + high energy effort pic.twitter.com/gnY7okTcBn
— Art M. (@canefilms) June 10, 2026
Cornerbacks
Moving to the defensive backs, the Hurricanes have a crop of players brimming with high-quality talent. Xavier Lucas and OJ Frederique Jr. will be the core, looking to improve further overall, particularly in INTs. UM tallied 16 picks, the second-most in the ACC, but lagged behind at least 10 other schools nationwide. On top of that, they failed to nab any interceptions during the CFP semifinal and final. Frederique came up empty for the year despite recording seven pass breakups. The junior aims to make bigger strides. Lucas wants the same after totaling 45 tackles, eight deflections, a forced fumble, and an INT. Ethan O’Connor produced 28 tackles, 22 solo, and five pass deflections in his Canes debut. Although he didn’t pick off anyone compared to his four at Washington State, O’Connor’s growth will be key to The U’s success.
XAVIER LUCAS SACK STRIP!
BAIN RECOVERS THE FUMBLE!
REFS OVERTURN AND SAY INCOMPLETE PASS pic.twitter.com/rWeBw4sq8Z
— Grant Reacts (@GrantReacts1) November 1, 2025
Damari Brown will be a rotational player. If Brown can stay healthy, his defensive versatility and hard-hitting prowess will add to the physicality Hetherman requires. Camdin Portis and Ja’Boree Antoine will be this year’s reserves. Camdin is a freshman legacy recruit, the son of former University of Miami national champion and NFL star running back Clinton Portis. Antoine got brief but crucial experience his freshman year at the Fiesta Bowl, filling in for a depleted secondary plagued by injuries and a key ejection. The unexpected moment showed his willingness to contribute.
OJ Frederique Jr. vs. Charlie Becker & Elijah Sarratt
– 6 targets
– 2 catches allowed
– 18 receiving yards allowed
– 0 TDs allowed
– 3 pass breakups
– 1 pass interference pic.twitter.com/FMulKOWHIH— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) May 4, 2026
Safeties
Ballhawk Bryce Fitzgerald was tied for most interceptions in the ACC, notching six, in addition to two pass deflections. Named to the Jim Thorpe Award Watch List for the nation’s top defensive back, Fitzgerald is thinking big for 2026. Zechariah Poyser is going to be laying some massive hits this season. Fans saw the former Jacksonville State transfer’s baptism by fire against Notre Dame, finishing the campaign with 68 tackles, 42 of those solo, one forced fumble, and five pass deflections. Liking it so far? Wait until you get a load of Carver Ranches native Omar Thornton.
bryce fitzgerald interception; marcel reed; miami vs texas a&m pic.twitter.com/8e6OwrQ65K
— ◇ (@F0RGIAT0) December 20, 2025
The Boston College transfer totaled 82 tackles, eight tackles for loss, four forced fumbles, two sacks, a PD, and an INT, making him quite the portal find. His experience is another plus. Freshman JJ Dunigan might sneak in some snaps early in the season, as will Dylan Day and Portis, who can also play safety. Although losing Keionte Scott and Jakobe Thomas hurts, there’s plenty of skill here.
Boston College Safety Omar Thornton (5’11/201) as a True Sophomore this year…
Rank Among ALL FBS Safeties
+ 4 Forced Fumbles (T-1st)
+ 34 Total Stops (T-10th)Would be a great replacement for Earl Little Jr https://t.co/h952bCnFbD pic.twitter.com/T7GR9s4ZkX
— Clay Fink (@clay_fink) December 31, 2025
Linebackers
Ironically, for such a young team, the linebackers are the elders. Led by Mohamed Toure, who’s in his eighth year due to a unique combination of standard redshirts, medical redshirts, and the COVID waiver, the heavy hitter led the team with 84 tackles, including two sacks. Toure’s veteran presence is important because not only does the position have the oldest players, but it’s also the most concerning in terms of depth. Playmaker Wesley Bissainthe went on to the NFL, and Raul Aguirre Jr. transferred to NC State. Chase Smith is among those on the team that need to take the next step.
Mohamed Toure put his life on the line to help win the game for Miami pic.twitter.com/emj2pNESiG
— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) December 20, 2025
A remnant of the Manny Diaz era, Smith completed 2025 with 31 tackles (15 solo), two fumble recoveries, and two pass deflections. He was a rotational player then, and now the opportunity has arrived. Speaking of which, Bobby Pruitt looks to increase his own role and perhaps become next year’s mainstay. Pruitt needs to improve, however, considering he recorded 10 tackles and 0.5 sacks with limited snaps.
CHASE SMITH With the deflection pic.twitter.com/66rfiZDKiS
— Grant Reacts (@GrantReacts1) August 31, 2024
Kamal Bonner, Kellen Wiley Jr., and Ezekiel Marcelin Jr. make up the rest of the unproven core. Injuries derailed Bonner’s 2025 season, but he’s healthy and will get some playing time. Wiley and Marcelin saw action as true freshmen on special teams, making for intriguing reservists. In sum, the defense will be dangerous in the pass rush. However, the elite squad faces scrutiny and high expectations considering all the offseason losses. They will be ready to prove their worth.
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