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Miami rises in ESPN's post-spring Top 25 as Darian Mensah changes outlook

ESPN puts Miami at No. 7 in updated Way-Too-Early Top 25 after spring movement.
ByPatrick Previty|
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Jan 19, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes wide receiver Malachi Toney (10) reacts after rushing the ball for a touchdown against the Indiana Hoosiers in the second half during the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Jan 19, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes wide receiver Malachi Toney (10) reacts after rushing the ball for a touchdown against the Indiana Hoosiers in the second half during the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images | Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Miami is still viewed as one of college football's top programs heading into 2026. ESPN placed the Hurricanes at No. 7 in its updated Way-Too-Early Top 25 released Tuesday, bumping Miami up one spot from its immediate post-national-title ranking.

ESPN puts Miami at No. 7 in updated Way-Too-Early Top 25

"After reaching the CFP National Championship, it seemed like the Hurricanes would take a step back in 2026. But then Mensah went into the transfer portal at the eleventh hour and signed with Miami. He threw for 3,973 yards with 34 touchdowns as a sophomore at Duke. He'll be a Heisman Trophy favorite running coordinator Shannon Dawson's offense. The offense is loaded with tailback Mark Fletcher Jr. and star receiver Malachi Toney returning. The losses on the defensive line are significant, but adding Wilson (nine sacks in 2025) and Keona Davis (Nebraska) will help. Linebacker Mohamed Toure, the team's leading tackler, returned for an eighth season in college."
Mark Schlabach

Darian Mensah has given Miami a chance to stay in the playoff mix. At Duke in 2025, he made second-team All-ACC and OC Shannon Dawson has the coaching ability to maximize him. 

Mark Fletcher ran for 1,192 yards and 12 rushing touchdowns while earning third-team All-ACC honors. Malachi Toney burst onto the scene with 109 catches, 1,211 receiving yards and 10 receiving touchdowns. He was ACC Rookie of the Year and a first-team All-ACC receiver. Both are returning.

The defensive line did lose major pieces, but Damon Wilson II and Keona Davis help soften the blow. Wilson posted 23 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss and nine sacks at Missouri in 2025, with his sack total ranking third in the SEC. Davis, a Nebraska transfer, had 32 tackles, 3.5 TFLs and 1.5 sacks while leading all Husker defensive linemen in tackles. 

Mohamed Toure led the Hurricanes with 84 total tackles in 2025 and added three tackles for loss, two sacks and six pass breakups. He will be returning.

Miami checked in one spot behind defending national champion Indiana at No. 6 and one spot ahead of Texas Tech at No. 8. The top five in ESPN's update were Ohio State, Oregon, Georgia, Notre Dame and Texas.

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