Miami just sent one of its deepest draft classes in years to the NFL, and the next wave is already in the building.
The Hurricanes had nine players selected in the 2026 NFL Draft, the program's most since 2017 and tied for the third-most nationally. Francis Mauigoa, Rueben Bain Jr., Akheem Mesidor, Carson Beck, Markel Bell, Jakobe Thomas, Keionte Scott, Anez Cooper and CJ Daniels all heard their names called.
Miami's next NFL draft class is already taking shape
Now the focus turns to 2027. Several Miami players could be next, such as quarterback Darian Mensah, defensive tackle Justin Scott, edge rusher Damon Wilson II, defensive tackle Ahmad Moten Sr., running back Mark Fletcher Jr. and cornerback OJ Frederique Jr.
Samson Okunlola, Damari Brown, Mohamed Toure and Cooper Barkate, could also be possible late-round picks or undrafted free agents.
Darian Mensah continues Miami's excellence at QB
Miami had Cam Ward go No. 1 overall in 2025 and Carson Beck get drafted in 2026. Mensah gives the Hurricanes a chance to keep that quarterback pipeline rolling. He arrived in Coral Gables after receiving second-team All-ACC honors and being named a Davey O'Brien Award semifinalist.
The defensive line could carry the class... again
Miami's 2026 draft class was built around the trenches, and the 2027 group could follow the same model.
Moten returns after a strong 2025 season in which he finished with 31 tackles, nine tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks.
Scott, a former five-star recruit, moved into a larger role in 2025 and finished with 26 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, one sack, one forced fumble and one pass breakup while starting the final nine games of the season.
Wilson transferred in from Missouri after posting 23 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss and nine sacks in 2025. He received second-team All-SEC honors after he ranked third in the conference and led Missouri in sacks.
RB Mark Fletcher Jr. could rise up 2027 draft boards
Fletcher is a player who could have entered the 2026 draft, but returned for another season.
He ran for 1,192 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2025, added 17 catches for 140 yards and two receiving touchdowns, and set a College Football Playoff record with 507 rushing yards during Miami's postseason run. He also moved into seventh place in Miami history with 2,313 career rushing yards.
Fletcher is 6-foot-2, 225 pounds, and has been productive in big games. But, the question is how will the NFL value running backs in that class and whether he can add more passing-down production.
The secondary has upside
Frederique and Brown give Miami two cornerbacks with an opportunity to play at the next level.
Frederique was a FWAA Freshman All-American in 2024 after totaling 30 tackles, one interception and seven pass breakups. In 2025, he had 19 tackles and seven pass breakups in 10 games.
Brown has an NFL frame at 6-foot-2 and 195 pounds, but his biggest task is staying healthy and putting a full season of tape together. He put up 16 solo tackles and one pass defended in 2025.
More Miami players that could rise
Okunlola has the size at 6-foot-6 and 330 pounds. He was a former consensus five-star prospect and will get his best chance yet to show off his skills this season.
Toure led the Hurricanes with 84 tackles in 2025, added three tackles for loss, two sacks and six pass breakups, and earned All-ACC honorable mention. Before Miami, he had 168 tackles, 22.5 tackles for loss and 13.5 sacks at Rutgers. The concern is age and injuries with him.
Barkate arrived from Duke and Harvard after catching 185 passes for 2,848 yards and 21 touchdowns in 37 career games. He was second-team All-ACC in 2025 and an All-Ivy League selection in 2023 and 2024.
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