Miami landed three players on ESPN's midseason Top 25 players list, and it's the perfect encapsulation of the Hurricanes' rise under Mario Cristobal. ESPN's panel not only ranked them all in the Top 25, they also put all three in the Top 10; defensive lineman Rueben Bain Jr. sits at No. 1 overall, right tackle Francis Mauigoa comes in at No. 6 and quarterback Carson Beck is ranked No. 9. The ranking was compiled by Bill Connelly, David Hale, Max Olson, Adam Rittenberg and Paolo Uggetti.
Carson Beck — No. 9
A winter transfer from Georgia, Beck has supplied the veteran poise Miami was looking for after Cam Ward left for the NFL. Beck, along with the much-improved defense, has positioned the Hurricanes as ACC front-runners at 5-0. Beck’s production to this point has even generated some Draft buzz. His move from Athens to Coral Gables, following elbow surgery, couldn't have gone any better up to this point in the season.
"After an up-and-down 2024 season cut short by an elbow injury at Georgia, Beck sought a fresh start at a Miami program determined to make the leap and get into the College Football Playoff. So far, so good. Beck's big-game experience, with his 29-3 record as a starter, has made the difference for the No. 2 Hurricanes in tough tests early on."ESPN's Max Olson
Francis Mauigoa — No. 6
Mauigoa's presence at right tackle has stabilized Miami's front and helped the offense's efficiency. Mauigoa has been impressive since Day 1 with his rapid development into All-America form and first-round potential under line coach Alex Mirabal. Miami's Mauigoa is one of just two offensive linemen to make the list.
"Mauigoa has surrendered only one sack since the start of the 2024 season and has just one blown block and two penalties through five games as a junior."ESPN's Max Olson
Rueben Bain Jr. — No. 1
Bain has become the tone-setter for a Miami defense. Through midseason, Bain's production includes double-digit solo tackles with impact plays behind the line, the backbone of Miami's pass-rush identity. Bain is now starting to appear at the top — or near the top — of multiple NFL Mock Drafts and it seems likely that Miami fans will see him playing on Sunday's in the second half of 2026.
"To say that Bain is a game-wrecker would be an understatement. The junior from Miami has been one of college football's most unstoppable forces this season — a 6-3, 275-pound difference maker whose combination of versatility, athleticism and production has fueled the Hurricanes' defense."ESPN's Paolo Uggetti
Quick notes on ESPN's midseason Top 25 list
- Ohio State leads all programs with four honorees (Caden Curry, Arvell Reese, Jeremiah Smith and Caleb Downs), while Miami's three are second-most. Five others place multiple players: Texas Tech (LB Jacob Rodriguez, LB David Bailey), USC (QB Jayden Maiava, WR Makai Lemon), Indiana (QB Fernando Mendoza, DB Louis Moore) and Notre Dame (RB Jeremiyah Love, CB Leonard Moore).
- The Big Ten sets the pace with nine selections, followed by the ACC and SEC with five apiece, the Big 12 with four and Independent Notre Dame supplying two. Within the top 10, it’s a dead heat among conferences — three each for the ACC (all Miami), Big Ten (Indiana plus two Buckeyes) and SEC (Alabama, Missouri, Texas A&M), with the Big 12 represented by Texas Tech at No. 2. Miami single-handedly accounts for all of the ACC's top-10 entries.