Defensive tackle Ahmad Moten, safeties Jakobe Thomas and Zechariah Poyser and linebacker Mo Toure will be fine for the Cotton Bowl College Football Playoff quarterfinal against Ohio State on New Year's Eve. Cornerback Damari Brown is questionable and wide receiver Daylyn Upshaw is out against Ohio State, per Cristobal.
Thomas has played all 13 games for Miami this season with 58 tackles, 4.0 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, 2.0 forced fumbles, 2.0 fumble recoveries, 4.0 pass breakups, 4.0 interceptions, one returned for a touchdown and 8.0 passes defended.
Thomas had nine tackles, 0.5 TFLs and 0.5 sacks in the 10-3 win at Texas A&M in the first round of the College Football Playoff. The tackle total for Thomas was the second most for Miami against Texas A&M. Defensive back Keionte Scott led Miami with 10 tackles versus Texas A&M.
Poyser is fourth on Miami with 53 tackles, has 3.0 TFLs, 1.0 sack, second on Miami with six passes defended and tied for the team lead with two fumble recoveries and has one forced fumble. Poyser had six tackles in the win at Texas A&M.
Damari Brown's injury status is "questionable," Mario Cristobal said.
— Adam Lichtenstein (@ABLichtenstein) December 22, 2025
Daylyn Upshaw had a foot injury, Mario Cristobal said. He will be out for a "significant" amount of time.
Jakobe Thomas, Zechariah Poyser, Ahmad Moten and Mo Toure are or will likely be fine, Cristobal said.
Toure was hurt on the penultimate play on defense after he collided with a Texas A&M player on a pass breakup to prevent the game-trying touchdown. Toure finished with six tackles versus Texas A&M. Toure leads Miami with 62 tackles, has 2.0 TFLs, 1.0 sack and four pass breakups.
Moten has played 11 games in 2025 and set career highs with 24 tackles, 7.5 TFLs, 4.5 sacks and 4.0 pass breakups. Moten had one tackle versus Texas A&M. The only game Moten missed in 2025 was against Syracuse with an unspecified injury.
Brown played in all 12 regular-season games with 24 tackles, 1.0 pass breakup and 1.0 pass defended. Brown linebacker Malik Bryant and Upshaw were the only players listed as out on the official College Football Playoff availability report.
Upshaw has seven receptions for 105 yards in 2025, but did not play in the College Football Playoff win at Texas A&M. Upshaw recorded receptions for Miami in each of the final four regular-season games. Miami had to win those games to earn a CFP berth.