By: Ethan Horner
(Photo/Sammy Corsa-The Mojo Network)
Fresh off a national championship appearance, the Mario Cristobal-led Hurricanes look to finish the job this year. All eyes are on the Miami Hurricanes heading into the 2026 season after being just a few plays short of winning their first national title since 2001. For the past few years, it's been, “Is the U back?” We can officially say it now: “The U is back” as we head into the 2026 regular season.
The Hurricanes are on the short list of national title contenders for the upcoming season, and they're the runaway favorite to win the ACC for the first time in program history. It feels like all of the Canes' demons were exorcised last season after everything they went through.
The two biggest bright spots for the Canes' offense coming into the year are sophomore WR, or “gadget” player, Malachi Toney, and quarterback Darian Mensah. Toney last year was widely regarded as one of the most electrifying players in the sport, impressing from the jump as he scored a touchdown in his first-ever game as a 17-year-old against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Toney totaled 109 receptions last year, which was No. 1 in the country, with over 1,600 all-purpose yards and 14 total touchdowns across 16 games.
The Hurricanes also went and got quarterback Darian Mensah from Duke through the transfer portal, making this the third year in a row the Canes have grabbed a QB from the portal. The first two were home runs but didn't get the ring. Third time's the charm?! Last season at Duke, Mensah led the Blue Devils to an ACC Championship win. Mensah threw for 3,973 yards last year, which led the ACC and was second in the country, while adding 34 passing touchdowns, also leading the conference and ranking No. 2 nationally. He only threw six interceptions.
The Canes also bring in highly talented edge rusher Damon Wilson to help replace both of last year's first-round picks on the edge, Rueben Bain Jr. and Ahkeem Mesidor. Damon transferred in from Missouri. Last year, he had 9.5 tackles for loss and nine sacks, making him one of the best edge rushers in the country in Corey Hetherman's defense.
Returning safety Bryce Fitzgerald also added 20 pounds of muscle in the offseason. Fitzgerald had an impressive freshman season with the Canes, recording six interceptions. The most memorable one came in the first round of the College Football Playoff, where he picked off Texas A&M's Marcel Reed in the end zone for the game-winning play.
Miami also has a very favorable schedule and is primed to win the conference, with their toughest game coming on November 7th in South Bend, as they will play another title favorite and one of their most hated rivals, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. This could be one of the most pivotal games of the year for the sport.
Mario Cristobal has made sure to retool the roster to put the Hurricanes in prime position for another national title run this upcoming season.
Will they finish the job?!