Steven Lassan of Athlon Sports ranks Miami 10th in his "College Football Top 136 Team Rankings for 2025." Miami is second among ACC teams. Lassan ranks Clemson fifth nationally and as the top ACC team in his ranking of all 136 FBS teams entering the 2025 season.
Lassan cites the health of Georgia transfer quarterback Carson Beck as significant for Miami's hopes of competing for an ACC Championship. Beck suffered a torn labrum in the 2024 SEC Championship Game that caused him to miss the second half and the College Football Playoff.
Lassan also mentions the addition of new defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman and portal additions throughout the defense that should help Miami in 2025. Miami features an almost entirely new secondary and brought in key transfers at defensive tackle and linebacker to the 2025 roster.
Miami also has to replace its top six receivers from 2024. Wide receivers C.J. Daniels from LSU, Tony Johnson from Cincinnati and Keelan Marion from BYU are expected to be key contributors to Miami offensively in 2025. Sophomore JoJo Trader should have a significant jump in production in 2025.
"10. MiamiSteven Lassan, Athlon Sports
Transfer quarterback Carson Beck’s (Georgia) recovery from an elbow injury suffered at the end of 2024 looms large for Miami’s hopes of a run at the ACC title. A new coordinator (Corey Hetherman) and a couple of portal additions at every level should help a defense that struggled last season."
Expect Miami to lean more on the running back in 2025 with the return of running backs Mark Fletcher Jr. and Jordan Lyle and addition of FCS All-American CharMar Brown, who transferred from North Dakota State. Miami is likely to utilize a three-back system in 2025 as they did in 2024.
Defensive linemen Rueben Bain and Akeem Mesidor provide Hetherman with experience and a foundation for Miami defensively in 2025. Bain and Mesidor both dealt with injuries in 2024 and should be healthier and ready to contribute on a more consistent basis in 2025.
The offensive line should anchor Miami with four players returning who started in 2024. James Brockermeyer from TCU is the third Miami transfer center in as many years to start. Miami begins the season with a top 10 matchup versus Notre Dame, whom Lassan ranks sixth nationally.