The Miami Hurricanes lost a significant amount of production and veteran leadership, with several players either drafted or signed by NFL teams. Among the major holes Miami needed to fill was the starting quarterback position after superstar Cam Ward was selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
The Canes also needed help at wide receiver after losing Jacolby George and consensus All-American and top slot receiver Xavier Restrepo. Additionally, Isaiah Horton transferred to Alabama.
However, the biggest need in the portal was the secondary, both at safety and cornerback. The defensive backfield was arguably what cost the Hurricanes a playoff spot last year, as they struggled heavily against the pass. With the addition of Mohamed Toure, the Canes have essentially concluded their portal activity, adding a total of 19 players to the roster, finishing with the top portal class in the ACC and the No. 3 overall class behind LSU and Texas Tech.
What areas did Miami improve? And what are the remaining concerns? Let’s take a look:
Quarterback – 9.5
Carson Beck
Miami landed arguably the No. 1 overall player in the transfer portal when quarterback Carson Beck committed to the Canes, beating out Ohio State, Texas Tech, and even NFL consideration.
During his time at Georgia, Beck threw for 7,913 yards, 58 touchdowns, and 20 interceptions with a 68% completion rate while leading the Bulldogs to a 24–3 record.
He has big shoes to fill, replacing Cam Ward—who set Miami single-season records for passing yards and touchdowns before becoming the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft.
Wide Receiver – 6.0
CJ Daniels
LSU transfer CJ Daniels, who battled injuries during his time in Baton Rouge, is now set to compete for a starting spot in Miami. Over his collegiate career, Daniels has recorded 2,434 yards on 148 receptions with 21 touchdowns. With one year of eligibility remaining, Daniels has star potential, and the Canes are banking on him returning to pre-injury form to lead a young and unproven receiver room.
Keelan Marion
BYU All-American WR/KR Keelan Marion also committed to Miami, choosing the Canes over programs like Arizona State, SMU, Kentucky, Colorado, Notre Dame, Penn State, and Florida State.
In his career, Marion has totaled:
-76 receptions for 1,125 yards and 12 touchdowns
-38 kick returns for 881 yards and 3 touchdowns
Last season, he recorded 24 catches for 346 yards and one touchdown, while also rushing for 96 yards on 21 carries. He earned All-American honors for his kick returns, averaging 26.2 yards per return with two touchdowns. With two years of eligibility remaining, Marion brings game-changing explosiveness to both the offense and special teams.
Tony Johnson
The Canes added another weapon with the commitment of Cincinnati slot receiver Tony Johnson. The 5’11″, 187-pound veteran hauled in 48 catches for 449 yards and led the Bearcats with six touchdown receptions in 2024. Johnson is a savvy route-runner and reliable red-zone target, making him a perfect fit to contribute immediately in the slot.
Cornerback – 10.0
Ethan O’Connor
Transferred from Washington State, O’Connor chose Miami over Georgia. The 6’2″, 175-pound redshirt freshman intercepted four passes (one returned for a touchdown) and broke up 12 passes in 2024. With three years of eligibility remaining, he’s expected to be a long-term cornerstone in the secondary.
Xavier Lucas
The 6’2″, 198-pound former Wisconsin corner transferred after a dramatic release process. He was one of the top-graded true freshmen nationally, with an overall PFF grade of 77.5. Lucas has shown lockdown potential in spring camp and looks like Miami’s best corner. He has three years of eligibility remaining.
Charles Brantley
A standout at Michigan State, Brantley chose Miami over Ole Miss and Illinois. He allowed the lowest passer rating (16.6) in FBS coverage last season, surrendering only 14 receptions for 149 yards on 37 targets and no touchdowns. With one year of eligibility, Brantley brings shutdown experience.
Safety – 8.0
Zechariah Poyser
From Jacksonville State, Poyser brings high-level production: 75 tackles, 8 PBUs, and 4 INTs across two seasons. He earned an 80.1 PFF defensive grade as a redshirt freshman and is projected to start immediately. Miami beat Georgia for his commitment.
Keionte Scott
Houston transfer Keionte Scott, a former second-team All-SEC pick at Auburn, adds elite versatility and experience. With 115 tackles, 10 PBUs, and a punt return TD in 23 career starts, Scott locks down the nickel corner role and adds depth at safety. He’s also considered one of the nation’s best punt returners.
Jakobe Thomas
The Hurricanes added Tennessee transfer Jakobe Thomas, a hard-hitting, NFL-projected nickel back with one year of eligibility. He brings SEC experience, physicality, and veteran leadership to a retooled safety room. If he performs to expectations, Thomas could hear his name in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Center – 8.5
James Brockermeyer
TCU transfer James Brockermeyer played 931 snaps in 2024 and allowed just one sack over 500 pass-blocking snaps. The 6’3.5″, 300-pound center adds stability to an already elite Miami offensive line.
Defensive Tackle – 6.5
David Blay
After losing Simeon Barrow and Josh Horton, Miami landed Louisiana Tech DT David Blay, the No. 3 ranked DT per On3. At 6’4″, 303 pounds, Blay brings size and upside but doesn’t yet match Barrow’s production.
Tight End – 5.0
Alex Bauman & Jack Nickel
Tulane’s Bauman and UAB/MSU transfer Jack Nickel are expected to provide depth and blocking. Nickel is also the older brother of Miami QB commit Luke Nickel. Both are serviceable, but neither replaces the upside lost with Elijah Arroyo and Riley Williams.
Linebacker – 9.5
Kamal Bonner
Bonner started seven games last year and totaled 56 tackles, 7 TFL, and a sack. He was the second-highest ranked linebacker in the spring portal and has three years of eligibility. Expect him to push for a starting job immediately.
Mohamed Toure
Miami’s biggest linebacker addition, Toure is a two-time captain who led Rutgers in sacks in 2020, 2021, and 2023. He recorded 92 tackles and 4.5 sacks last season and reunites with DC Corey Hetherman. Toure missed 2024 due to injury but is fully cleared. He instantly elevates Miami’s linebacker unit from a weakness to a strength and projects as an All-ACC candidate.
Kicker – 7.0
Bert Auburn & Carter Davis
Texas transfer Bert Auburn fills a major need. He’s 66-of-86 (76.7%) on FGs and a perfect 178-of-178 on PATs. Carter Davis, from FAU, has a powerful leg but was just 2-of-7 on FGs last year. Expect Auburn to win the job.
Long Snapper – 8.0
Adam Booker
Booker, a 6’4″, 205-pound long snapper from Charlotte, brings elite size, a 98% accuracy rate, and two years of starting experience.
Overall Evaluation – 7.8
Miami addressed its most pressing needs in the portal. Carson Beck is a high-end replacement for Cam Ward, and the linebacker and secondary upgrades are massive. The offensive line remains elite under Mario Cristobal and Alex Mirabal. However, question marks remain at tight end and defensive tackle, and wide receiver production is unproven.
This team is talented enough to win 10+ games, if young defensive tackles and wideouts step up. Otherwise, expect 7–9 wins.
Projected 2025 Wins: 10
The Hurricanes are positioned to post back-to-back double-digit win seasons for the first time since 2003. With a top-tier transfer class and continued development of Cristobal’s blue-chip recruits, Miami’s rebuild is clearly trending upward entering year four. Mario has his roster and his guys, no more excuses, it is time to win.
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