Miami was named one of eight "College football teams projected to take step back in 2025 after key offseason departures" by Grant Hughes of 247Sports. The biggest questions for Miami entering the offseason were who would replace quarterback Cam Ward and could Miami upgrade its defense.
Carson Beck transferred from Georgia to Miami and Mario Cristobal hired Corey Hetherman from Minnesota as the new defensive coordinator. Miami has added five new defensive backs and a defensive tackle to the 2025 roster. In addition to Ward, Miami lost its top six receivers off the 2024 roster.
Former LSU wide receiver C.J. Daniels transferred to Miami to provide the Hurricanes with a projected top target for Beck. Expect Miami to target more transfer WRs when the spring portal is open for 10 days in April. Rising sophomore JoJo Trader projects to be one of the best WRs for Miami in 2025.
Hetherman will have the opportunity to fill out most of his defensive staff. Defensive line coach Jason Taylor is the lone on-field staff member on the Miami defense returning in 2025. Hetherman has the opportunity to hire three defensive coaches for the 2025 season.
.@BCrawford247 dropped his way-too-early top 25 for 2025 👀
— CBS Sports College Football 🏈 (@CBSSportsCFB) January 13, 2025
Who would y'all have higher heading into next season? pic.twitter.com/Sj6dVb89VJ
"2024 Record: 10-3 | Recruiting Class Ranking: No. 14 | Transfer Class Ranking: No. 5Grant Hughes, 247Sports
Miami won 10 games in 2024 by outlasting its opponents with an electric offense. The Hurricanes led the nation in scoring offense (43.9 ppg.) but will that continue without quarterback and Heisman Trophy finalist Cam Ward? Carson Beck, a two-year starter at Georgia, is the expected replacement for Ward but he must first recover from offseason elbow surgery. A change at defensive coordinator was made in the hope of turning around 2024's underperforming unit."
In addition to leading the nation in points per game in 2024 as Hughes mentioned, Miami was first nationally averaging 537.2 total yards per game. Miami should still be elite offensively in 2025, but might not be as explosive without Ward and the departed receivers.
Miami might rely more on its running game in 2025 with Mark Fletcher Jr. and Jordan Lyle returning at running back. The offensive line should be the strength of the Miami offense with three returning starters in 2025. Miami added TCU center James Brockermeyer to its 2025 offensive line.
Beck brings big game experience to Miami in 2025. Before suffering a UCL injury, Beck started the SEC Championship win over Texas. Beck was originally projected as a 2025 first-round draft pick. Ward significantly upgraded his stock by transferring to Miami in 2025. Beck hopes to have a similar trajectory in 2025.
If the incoming transfers for Miami make an impact in 2024, quarterback should not have a big dropoff and the defense should be significantly improved. Miami has an opportunity to make another College Football Playoff push in 2025. It would be surprising if Miami takes a big step back in 2025.