Miami's defense is expected to see veteran linebacker Mohamed Toure return for the 2026 season after the Hurricanes' run to the CFP title game.
Toure has not publicly announced a final decision, but rumor is that he will be back.
If it happens, it would be a big deal for a front seven that is set to lean on youth as Miami reloads after a 27-21 loss to Indiana in the CFP national championship game. Toure was all over the field in the title game, finishing with 11 tackles, including six solo tackles.
Miami linebacker Mohamed Toure is returning for his 8th season of college football.
— Recruits CFB (@recruits_cfb) January 23, 2026
He was in the same 2019 recruiting class as guys like:
• Nolan Smith
• Kayvon Thibodeaux
• Derek Stingley
• Evan Neal
• Darnell Wright
• Spencer Rattler
I think it’s same to say he… pic.twitter.com/PONhLmuJ6N
Linebacker Mohamed Toure expected to come back for eighth season
Toure is a seventh-year player who redshirted in 2019, played during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, and lost two full seasons to ACL tears while at Rutgers. A potential 2026 season would be his eighth in college.
In the CFP, he logged eight tackles at Texas A&M, seven tackles against Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl quarterfinal, four tackles in the Fiesta Bowl semifinal win over Ole Miss, and then an 11-tackle night against Indiana.
Toure had one of the defining moments of Miami's playoff run, when he broke up a late pass at the goal line at Texas A&M. He then stayed down briefly after delivering the hit before Miami sealed the win with a pick on the next snap. Clearly shaken up, Toure fought to go back in the game, and many fans online praised the effort, despite the potential severity of the hit.
Mohamed Toure's college career so far
Toure began his college career at Rutgers. In 2019, Toure played in two games and finished with three total tackles. In 2020, he appeared in nine games and totaled 20 tackles, 5.0 tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks. He also had one interception, two forced fumbles and one pass breakup.
In 2021, Toure played 13 games and logged 51 tackles, 8.0 tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks. In 2022, he did not see game action. In 2023, he played 13 games and posted 93 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks. He also added one interception, two pass breakups, four QB hurries, and one forced fumble. In 2024, he again did not see game action after a season-ending ACL injury.
In 2025 at Miami, Toure played 16 games and totaled 84 tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss, and 2.0 sacks, with six pass breakups and one QB hurry.