ESPN analytics expert Bill Connelly named LSU, Miami and Texas A&M in a tie as his fourth through sixth favorite transfer classes. The 2026 Miami transfer class begins with former Duke quarterback Darian Mensah, but has depth beyond the signal caller.
Connelly, who created and runs the SP+ metrics, named wide receiver Cooper Barkate and safety Omar Thornton from Boston College, with Mensah as his favorite transfer additions by Miami. Former Missouri edge rusher Damon Wilson II was mentioned later by Connelly.
Mensah is the third consecutive Miami starting QB added through the Transfer Portal. Cam Ward finished fourth in the 2024 Heisman Trophy Balloting after transferring from Washington State. Following his transfer from Georgia in the 2025 portal, Carson Beck led Miami to the National Championship game in January.
Barkate was Mensah's most frequent receiver in 2025 and tied for fourth in the ACC with 72 receptions. Miami could have a better and more versatile pass offense in 2026 than it did during its run to the National Championship Game.
"Favorite transfers (Miami): QB Darian Mensah, Duke (3,973 passing yards, 34 TDs); WR Cooper Barkate, Duke (1,106 receiving yards, seven TDs); S Omar Thornton, Boston College (95 tackles, eight run stops, four forced fumbles)Bill Connelly, ESPN
Mario Cristobal felt the need to add only 12 transfers...but they were mostly vital ones. Mensah was a must, Barkate should be a great complement to Malachi Toney, and while edge rusher Damon Wilson II (Missouri) is far more of a pass-rush specialist than the departing Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor, he's really good at that specialty. I'm surprised Cristobal didn't aim for more linemen on both sides of the ball, but the roster's upside remains high."
Replacing elite starters
Thorton will replace Jakobe Thomas as the starting strong safety for Miami in 2026. In addition to the stats listed by Connelly, Thornton had 8.0 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, one interception and one pass defended in 2025. Thornton should fit perfectly into the style of play of Miami defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman.
Barkate and Toney should provide Miami with one of the best wide receiver tandems nationally. Miami has two out of the top five WRs in the ACC from 2025 with Barkate and Toney. Due to injuries to other Miami WRs in 2025, Toney was often the only consistent receiving threat Miami had.
Wilson II had 23 tackles, 9.5 TFLs, 9.0 sacks, one interception, two passes defended and one fumble recovery in 2025. Pro Football Focus gave Wilson II a 78.3 overall grade, 119th among qualified edge defenders, an 81.4 pass rush grade, 88th among edge rushers and a 66.6 run grade, 497th at the position.
Wilson II has arguably the biggest shoes to fill for Miami in 2026. The losses of edge rushers Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor should be the biggest challenge for Hetherman in developing his schemes for the 2026 Miami defense.
Another key transfer Miami added, who was not mentioned by Connelly, is defensive tackle Jaquez Carter from Ohio State. Miami added Carter more on potential than production. Carter had one tackle in six games for Ohio State in 2025. Carter was the 198th prospect, 18th DL and 31st player in Florida in the 2025 247Sports composite rankings.
Barkate, Mensah and Wilson are seniors, Thornton is a junior and Carter is a sophomore. Adding high-level transfers with multiple years remaining is a bonus. Miami will start safety Zechariah Poyser in 2026. Poyser transferred to Miami from Jacksonville State during the 2025 transfer cycle.