Another cycle, another chance to add elite talent to the Miami Hurricanes roster
Happy Monday, Canes fans!
Last week, I put a bow on the 2025 recruiting class by recapping the action according to The Recruiting Rules. If you haven’t checked that out yet, you should do that.
Today, as we move into a new week, we shift our focus to the next class for the Miami Hurricanes.
I’m still very firmly of the opinion that 85-95% of roster building should be done through high school recruiting and player development, with the gaps being filled through the transfer portal. This has been the paradigm for Miami, and most of the top teams in the sport. While the “free agency” of the transfer portal is great for player movement, teams cannot build programs through the portal alone. They can be TEAMS — one season (maybe 2) outfits that can compete and win — but consistent performance cannot be sustained through the portal alone.
Alright. Let me get off my soapbox and back to the intent of this article. Here’s my view of what Miami needs/should add to the roster in the 2026 recruiting class to continue to build a championship caliber program.
Disclaimer: This is an annual reminder but worth saying: things can and do change over the course of a recruiting cycle. While these numbers are a good guideline based on depth at the position both on the roster and in the available talent pool, they are not the exhaustive or definitive. As we saw last cycle (and every cycle, really), recruiting is dynamic and these numbers will change slightly based upon various factors and events.
Now that we’re all on the same page, let’s get into it.
Quarterback: 1+
I’ve said it a million times, and I’m saying it again: Recruiting Rule #1 is that you have to have a QB in every class. So yes, Miami needs to have a QB in this recruiting class. Shocking, I know.
In the past, I would have even considered Miami taking 2 QBs in this class. There are program players who need to be recruited over, and there’s a chance that someone from this room leaves via the transfer portal as well. However, with Miami’s penchant and success in bringing in top of the list transfer portal QBs — D’Eriq King, Cam Ward, and Carson Beck in the last 6 years — I could easily see Miami going that route for more depth heading into 2026 if necessary.
Here’s where things stand at QB: true freshman Luke Nickel is the most talented player who will be on the roster after this season. Emory Williams is a program player at best unless he has a year of insane development. And Judd Anderson is a big, physical player but likely still needs years — plural — of development to be even backup quality.
Miami has already gotten their QB for this class to commit (we’ll meet him tomorrow), so the work is to keep him committed through the remainder of this cycle. Adding the blue chip signal caller currently committed would take the count to 4 scholarship QBs for 2026. But, again, depending on player movement out of Coral Gables in the search of playing time at this position, it could become necessary to consider a 2nd QB and/or a transfer portal QB for additional depth later in this cycle.
Running Back: 2
This position has been one of Miami’s best, and one of the best in the country if we’re being honest. But, you can never have too many good players here (or anywhere, really), so Miami should be looking to add talent in this class here as well.
Miami’s RB room isn’t as deep as last year, when the Canes had 5 players of starting caliber. But, after seeing 2 players transfer out in search of playing time — Ajay Allen and Chris Johnson Jr. — and 1 early departure to the NFL — Damien Martinez — the depth isn’t as strong as 2025.
So, to rebuild that strength, Miami should target a pair of RBs in this class. There are plenty of top notch options available this cycle, and RB coach Matt Merritt is quietly becoming one of the best recruiters and developers in the country, so it shouldn’t be hard for Miami to get the players they need. We’ll see who they prioritize and add to the roster in a few months.
Wide Receiver: 2+
Miami is rebuilding their receiving corps after seeing the top 6 pass catchers from 2024 depart from the roster. 4 of those departures were receivers, with the trio of all-time leading receiver Xavier Restrepo, Sam Brown, and Jacolby George heading to the NFL, and Isaiah Horton deciding against being Miami’s #1 option this season and transferring to Alabama instead. There was an NIL component to Horton’s move as well.
To replace the outgoing talent, Miami has plenty of blue chippers in the receivers room. However, since none of them have shown the ability to be starting caliber players yet — a function of the fact that there was so much talent in front of them — Miami would be wise to continue to stock this room with as much talent as possible.
There are plenty of great options at receiver this cycle, and Miami needs to get some of them on the roster. A minimum of 2, likely 3, blue chip receivers should be the target for Miami in this class.
Tight End: 1
This is already a position of strength for Miami, and this will get even stronger in the future. Miami needs to continue to stack elite talent here, and recruit over some marginal players already on the roster.
There’s a bit of a line change happening at TE for Miami right now. Gone are likely top 60 NFL draft pick Elijah Arroyo, Cam McCormick (graduation after a 9 year college career), and Riley Williams (transfer to Oregon State). Incoming to the roster are Alex Bauman (Tulane), Jack Nickel (UAB, brother of QB signee Luke), along with HS signees Brock Schott and Luka Gilbert.
When you see those 4 additions, plus returning scholarship players Elija Lofton and Jackson Carver, Miami has a solid 6 man TE room. Still, they would be wise to add another TE this class to beef up the group and cover for future departures.
Offensive Line: 4+
Under Mario Cristobal, Miami has completed reshaped the offensive line room. With a daft combination of elite recruiting, elite evaluations, and elite player development, what was once among the worst units on the roster has become an perennial strength for the Canes.
The main thing Miami needs to do in this class is add an elite tackle (or two). With the starting duo of LT Markel Bell and RT Francis Mauigoa both potentially leaving for the NFL Draft after this season, there is a need to restock the talent at Tackle.
Miami has done well to futureproof the guard and center positions, and there are options at tackle, but those are developmental players whose development is still ongoing.
In my perfect world, Miami adds 2 blue chip tackles, 1 blue chip guard, and a developmental player with potential in their eyes. That would be a perfect haul, and that’s something Miami has done in the past, and can replicate this year as well.
Defensive Line: 5
I think this is a good target number for Miami this year. After signing 4 DL last cycle, they’re in a good spot overall, but bump that up by one with some departures likely on the horizon.
This is basically the same thing as the Offensive Line. Multiple top level players, including Rueben Bain, Ahmad Moten, and Akheem Mesidor, could be departing the roster after this season. And, when you consider the fact that there are potentially others who could elect to depart via the transfer portal and the need for a good number in this class is clear.
For the breakdown, I’d prefer 3 DTs and 2 EDGE rushers in this group. But, I’m open to whatever group this staff believes is Miami caliber to continue to develop this position both now and in the future.
Linebacker: 2+
Miami has done a good job of reshaping the LB room in recent years. There is a good mix of size, length, speed, skill, and potential, and several players from past classes have flashed moments of excellence along their developmental paths.
Miami added 2 LBs in the last class, but would have liked to have 3. So, this year, I think either 2 or 3 LBs, including an All-American who is already committed, would be a great way to continue to build the depth and talent at this position.
Defensive Back: 4+
The DB group is one of the stronger and deeper groups on the roster, particularly after a near wholesale turnover following last season. Miami added 4 HS recruits and 5 transfers to the roster, while losing 4 transfers, and 1 player to the NFL Draft (S Meesh Powell).
Full transparency here: there were another 2 DB’s listed as outgoing transfers, but one was a former walk-on who was never in contention for meaningful snaps in anything other than blowout situations, and the other was a converted WR who transferred elsewhere to go back on offense, something that wasn’t an option here at Miami.
In any event, adding more elite talent in this recruiting class is a necessity. Miami has been ravaged by injuries and poor performance in the secondary for years, so the need to continue to restock talent here is very evident.
Special Teams: 0
Miami is set at all the special teams spots. P Dylan Joyce is among the best in America. K Abram Murray steps in for Miami after the end of the Borregales kicking dynasty. If he’s not up to snuff I could see Miami looking for a K in this class. But, Murray performed well in the opportunities he got last year, was a top 5 kicker in his class 2 years ago, and should be able to be a solid player for the Canes.
TL;dr
After all that narrative, here’s the chart on how I see Miami’s scholarship needs for the 2026 recruiting class: (again, basing this off a traditional 25-man recruiting class)
I know several of you will say “there isn’t a need to project 25 HS recruits in a class”, and you might be right. There are only 23 spots assigned above, with 2 “best available” spots to get to 25. So, there’s flexibility to be had.
Now that we’ve looked at the numbers and needs, we’ll meet the current group of commits. This group is small but mighty at this point of the cycle, with plenty of room to grow into a top 10, hopefully top 5, class.
Agree with the numbers as I see them? Disagree and think we need more (or less) of (insert position here)? Hop in the comments and let me know.
Go Canes