In the CBS Sports "College football rankings: Texas, Georgia, Miami lead way-too-early top 25 ahead of 2025 season" the Miami Hurricanes have their highest ranking at No. 3. Georgia and Miami will be intertwined during the 2025 season, with Hurricanes' quarterback Carson Beck transferring from the Bulldogs.
The offensive line and backfield set the foundation for Miami entering 2025. Miami returns three starters on the offensive line and four who received significant playing time in 2024. Running backs Mark Fletcher Jr. and Jordan Lyle project to give Miami an elite tandem on the ground.
Cornerbacks Damari Brown and O.J. Frederique return in 2025, with incoming transfers Charles Bentley, Emmanuel Karnley, Xavier Lucas and Ethan O'Connor set to give Miami far more depth and talent at the position. Miami also has Zechariah Poyser, who is the No. 2 ranked transfer safety.
Miami also returns defensive lineman Rueben Bain and Akheem Mesidor and linebacker Wesley Bissainthe as key players in 2025 who contributed in 2024. New defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman is entrusted with fixing a Miami defensive that was woefully inconsistent in 2024.
.@dennisdoddcbs’ way-too-early Top 25 for 2025.
— CBS Sports College Football 🏈 (@CBSSportsCFB) January 21, 2025
Who do y’all think should be higher? pic.twitter.com/lfVG5w3ZNX
CBS' Dennis Dodd has Miami ranked No. 3 in his early Top 25 poll
"Carson Beck has morphed into more soap opera than prospect. A jump to the NFL followed a below-average 2024 marred by an elbow injury. Then Beck decided to transfer to Miami...South Florida seems to fit him right now. It's hard to imagine Beck as productive as Cam Ward, but the offensive line led by junior left tackle Francis Mauigoa should be dominant, and if the defense improves just a little bit, the Hurricanes will be playoff worthy."Dennis Dodd, CBS Sports
Beck is expected to miss spring practice, but be ready for fall training camp after suffering a UCL injury during Georgia's SEC Championship Game win over Texas. Expect Miami to attempt to add more depth to a mostly young wide receiver corps in the spring transfer portal window.
There is not much experience beyond LSU transfer WR C.J. Daniels. JoJo Trader showed his potential with three receptions for 61 yards and a touchdown in the Pop-Tarts Bowl loss to Iowa State. Francis Mauigoa has started at right tackle for the last two seasons. Markel Bell is expected to start for Miami at left tackle in 2025.
Expect a more balanced offense and overall team from Miami in 2025. Fletcher and Lyle have another year of experience for Miami to rely more on the running game, the offensive line should continue to be one of the best nationally and the defense, particularly the secondary, should be drastically improved.