The reason it feels quiet around Coral Gables right now isn’t because there’s nothing happening — it’s because the Miami Hurricanes are in execution mode, not headline mode. After a thrilling run to the National Championship Game in January, retaining both coordinators, and landing a blue-chip transfer quarterback, the program is quietly gearing up for another College Football Playoff push. The buzz is real — it’s just unfolding on the practice field, not in press conferences.
Where They Are Right Now
The Hurricanes are in the final week of spring drills, with Practice No. 13 wrapping up and the Spring Game set for this Saturday.
With only three returning starters on offense and six on defense, there are legitimate position battles across the roster. This is precisely why CaneSport and other outlets have been closely monitoring every rep, as the pieces are put into place for what could be another special season.
The Big Story: Darian Mensah Changes Everything
The headline of Miami’s spring isn’t a depth chart shuffle or coaching adjustment — it’s the arrival of quarterback Darian Mensah. The former Duke star entered the transfer portal at the eleventh hour and ultimately chose Miami, a move that has reshaped the Hurricanes’ trajectory for 2026.
His 2025 numbers at Duke were nothing short of elite:
| Stat | 2025 Season at Duke |
|---|---|
| Passing Yards | 3,973 |
| Touchdowns | 34 |
| Interceptions | 6 |
| Completion % | 66.8% |
| Accolades | 2nd-Team All-ACC |
Mensah’s arrival has already bumped Miami up to No. 7 in ESPN’s updated Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings, a one-spot jump from their immediate post-title game position. He’s also being floated as an early Heisman Trophy contender in Shannon Dawson’s offense — an attack that lit up scoreboards across the country last season.
The Returning Core — A Loaded Skill Group
Mensah isn’t walking into a bare cupboard. Miami boasts one of the most talented offensive supporting casts in the nation, with a mix of proven veterans and high-upside transfers:
- Mark Fletcher Jr.: The star running back returns after a monster 2025 season, rushing for 1,192 yards and 12 touchdowns to earn third-team All-ACC honors.
- Malachi Toney: The reigning ACC Rookie of the Year put up 1,211 receiving yards on 109 catches with 10 touchdowns and was named first-team All-ACC.
- Cooper Barkate: A transfer from Duke and a familiar face to Mensah, Barkate tallied over 1,000 receiving yards last season and adds another weapon to Miami’s arsenal.
- Mohamed Toure: The team’s leading tackler is back for an eighth year in college, bringing experience and leadership to the defense.
Sleepers and Rising Stars
Spring practice has also been an opportunity for Miami to uncover emerging talent. A few names have already started to stand out:
- Daylyn Upshaw: A wide receiver who’s been flagged as a genuine sleeper in what WR coach Kevin Beard is calling the deepest Miami receiver room in years.
- Vandrevius “Dre” Jacobs: A transfer wideout whose elite speed could make him a game-changer.
- Omar Thornton: A Boston College transfer adding versatility to the defensive backfield.
- Jarquez Carter: An interior defensive lineman from Ohio State battling for a key role.
- Keona Davis: A Nebraska transfer being moved across the defensive line in search of a major impact role.
Stability at the Top
One of the most critical developments this offseason has been Miami’s ability to retain both coordinators.
- Shannon Dawson (OC): The architect of Miami’s explosive offense in 2025 has been extended, ensuring continuity for Mensah and the rest of the unit.
- Corey Hetherman (DC): Entering his second year, Hetherman now has a full offseason to further implement his system with players who are already familiar with his approach.
This stability at the top is a major advantage for a program that knows it has the talent to compete for another title.
The Concern — Defensive Line Depth
While the Hurricanes are reloading rather than rebuilding, there’s one area of concern heading into 2026: the defensive line. Miami lost several key contributors from last season and will need to rely on a mix of transfers and young talent to fill the void.
- Damon Wilson II: A transfer from Missouri who recorded 9.5 sacks last season is expected to be the anchor of the defensive front.
- Keona Davis: The Nebraska transfer is being moved around the line to provide much-needed depth in multiple spots.
- Five-star recruits: Marquise Lightfoot, Justin Scott, and Armondo Blount are all being asked to take significant developmental steps this offseason.
While the defensive line remains a question mark, Miami’s secondary looks poised to be a strength. The Hurricanes return their top four corners from 2025, along with safety Bryce Fitzgerald, who has been flagged as a breakout candidate for the second consecutive year.
Bottom Line
The quiet surrounding Miami’s spring football isn’t a sign of stagnation — it’s the sound of a program that’s locked in and focused. The Hurricanes came within one game of a national title last season, retained their coaching staff, landed one of the top transfer quarterbacks in Darian Mensah, and return plenty of elite skill position talent.
Saturday’s Spring Game will offer the first public glimpse of Mensah in a Miami uniform, but the real work is happening behind closed doors. The Hurricanes aren’t rebuilding. They’re reloading.
Sources:
- CaneSport — Miami Hurricanes Spring Practice No. 13 Coverage
- Canes Warning — Miami Rises in ESPN’s Post-Spring Top 25 Rankings
- On3 — Miami Hurricanes Spring Practice Updates
