It was not a difficult task for ESPN to determine the "College football top 25: Biggest strength, weakness for every team" for Miami entering the 2026 season. ESPN named running back the biggest strength and linebacker the biggest weakness for Miami entering the 2026 season.
Miami returns its top four rushers from the national runner-up last season. Mark Fletcher Jr. chose to return instead of entering the NFL Draft. Fletcher Jr. ran for 507 yards, averaged 6.76 yards per carry and scored two touchdowns, while adding three receptions for 33 yards and another score in the College Football Playoffs.
Fletcher Jr. finished the 2025 season with career highs of 216 carries, 1,192 rushing yards, 5.5 YPC, 12 TDs, 85.1 yards per game, 17 receptions for 140 yards and another two scores, 233 total touches for 1,332 yards and 14 total trips into the end zone.
Miami has exceptional backfield depth with the returns of CharMar Brown, Jordan Lyle and Girard Pringle Jr. and the addition of freshman Javion Mallory. Brown was the primary backup to Fletcher Jr. in 2025, with Lyle fighting injuries and Pringle Jr. receiving most of his carries in November.
BREAKING: Miami LB Chase Smith will get another year of eligibility and is expected to return to the team for the 2026 season, per @flasportsbuzz pic.twitter.com/n3e3eVZeP9
— CanesMuse (@canes_muse) January 27, 2026
Projecting 2026 linebackers
Miami loses LB Wesley Bissainthe, who started 41 games in his collegiate career and was third on the Hurricanes with 71 tackles and contributed 3.0 tackles for loss, 1.0 sack, one interception and one forced fumble during the 2025 season.
Mo Toure returns after leading Miami with 84 tackles and contributing 3.0 TFLs, 2.0 sacks and six passes defended in 2025. Former North Carolina State transfer Kamal Bonner is back for Miami after missing most of the 2025 season with an injury is expected to receive significant snaps in 2026.
Andrea Adelson of ESPN stated "Cam Pruitt, Kellen Wiley Jr. and freshman JJ Edwards are three more players to watch" for Miami at LB. Miami also returns Chase Smith, who was second to Traore among the returning LBs for Miami in 2025, with 31 tackles and contributed two passes defended and two fumble recoveries.
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