ESPN makes Mark Fletcher Jr. returning to Miami even sweeter for fans everywhere

There's been a lot made of the roster additions that Miami made this offseason, most notably grabbing All-ACC second team quarterback Darian Mensah in the transfer portal. But just as important are the players that the Hurricanes kept in the fold and at the top of that list is running back Mark Fletcher Jr.

Fletcher Jr. was one of the big reasons why the Hurricanes advanced to the CFP Championship game. After posting three 100-yard games in the playoffs, his stock rose to the point of where it wouldn't have been surprising to see him decide to test the waters of the NFL Draft. But the rising senior from Fort Lauderdale said he has unfinished business and that's why he made ESPN's list of best returning players.

Mark Fletcher Jr. is among ESPN's top returning players

Fletcher Jr.'s decision to stay is amplified by the fact that the Hurricanes have their entire running back returning next season, giving offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson plenty of looks and options out of the backfield. 

But Fletcher Jr. is the leader of the group and one of the emotional leaders of the entire team. He wears his heart on his sleeve and totes the rock like a man on a mission. In the moments after last month's lost to Indiana, all Fletcher Jr. could talk about in the post-game press conference was his desire to get back to work and lead the Hurricanes to a championship for the first time in 25 years.

"This one hurt, and it's supposed to hurt. Like [Coach Mario Cristobal] has been saying, if you're worth a damn as a competitor, it's going to hurt," he said. "But the people coming back, we know what it takes, and we've just got to go back to work. That's all we do."

The expectations for Miami will be as high as they've ever been and if the Hurricanes can win their first ACC title in football and make another deep run in the playoffs, Fletcher Jr. is going to be a big part of it.