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| Malachi Toney, WR, Miami |
Power Rankings
1. Miami Hurricanes
Last winter was the breakthrough Miami fans have been long awaiting since the Hurricanes made the jump from the Big East to ACC. The 'Canes went 13-3 and went on an impressive College Football Playoff run, toppling Texas A&M, Ohio State and Ole Miss en route to a National Runner-Up finish. Despite the success, the Hurricanes still have their eyes set on a clear goal in 2026: their first ACC Title since joining the league two decades ago.
Most of the offensive names remain the same, with one notable exception. Carson Beck is now an Arizona Cardinal after an impressive one-year pit stop in Coral Gables. In response, Miami went out and stole Darian Mensah away from Duke, the reigning ACC Champ. Now on his third school in as many years, Mensah left many Blue Devil fans with a bad taste in their mouths - but he represents a potential upgrade for the Hurricanes. Mensah threw 34 touchdowns on a 67% completion rate last fall, while throwing far less interceptions than Beck. Not only that, his ability to improvise and extend plays with his legs could give this Miami offense a much different element than they had in 2025.
The offensive line does lose Top 10 NFL Draft selection Francis Mauigoa, but this unit is Mario Cristobal's specialty. He'll lean on returning starter Matthew McCoy heavily at one of the tackle spots, while Georgia transfer Jamal Meriweather could fill the other after appearing in 13 games a year ago. Five-star true freshman Jackson Cantwell also comes in with significant fanfare, and is likely to see immediate snaps.
As good as Mensah and this O-Line are projected to be, it's the skill position talent that has to have Miami fans drooling. Wide receiver Malachi Toney was one of the most electrifying players in all of the land in his first season of college ball and looks well on his way to superstardom. He'll be joined by one of Mensah's favorite targets, Cooper Barkate, who caught 72 passes for the Blue Devils in 2025. Tight end Elijah Lofton will also factor in, but I am curious if another pass-catcher will emerge with all the attention defenses will pay to Toney and Barkate.
In the backfield, Mark Fletcher Jr. should once again be the feature option after notching 1,192 yards an 12 touchdowns a season ago. CharMar Brown will reprise his role as the physical short-yardage option, giving this Miami team the punch in the backfield the 'Canes have too often been missing in recent years.
On defense, coordinator Corey Hetherman engineered an extremely impressive turnaround last fall, with a group that allowed under 15 points per game and just over 294 yards per contest. He'll have to make do without Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor, two NFL Draft selections who accounted for 22 sacks last fall.
Even without Bain and Mesidor, the front seven should be in good hands with Justin Scott and Ahmad Moten Sr. on the interior, plus Missouri transfer Damon Wilson II pegged as a likely breakout candidate. Senior linebacker Mohamed Toure is another bright spot, back for his eighth season of college football.
Don't be surprised if the secondary ends up as the best unit on the defense. O.J. Frederique Jr. is the established name at corner, but it's rising star Bryce Fitzgerald who could shine through after picking off six passes in just four starts in 2025.
Bottom Line: Was 2025 truly the long-awaited breakthrough? It certainly felt like it, but this Miami team is now under pressure not to only prove they are the ACC's top dog, but a program that can compete for National Titles year-in, year out. The 2026 edition may be Cristobal's most talented team yet, and the schedule is miraculously soft. It's ACC Title or bust, with the Hurricanes likely setting their eyes on far loftier sights come winter.
2. Clemson Tigers