Brad Crawford of 247Sports and CBS Sports has ranked the Miami Hurricanes ninth in his Way Too Early 2025 Top 25. The addition of former Georgia quarterback Carson Beck for the 2025 season is significant for Miami. Miami would have been much further down the rankings without Beck transferring in.
Miami projects to return three starters on offense and five on defense in 2025. Beck is one of several incoming transfers for Miami in 2025 who are projected starters. Center James Brockermeyer and wide receiver C.J. Daniels are sure starters for Miami entering '25.
On defense, Miami has added projected starting defensive tackle David Blay and safety Zechariah Poyser. Cornerbacks Charles Brantley, Emmanuel Karnley and Ethan O'Connor will compete with Miami returnees Damari Brown and O.J. Frederique to start, as the Hurricanes are much deeper at the position entering 2025.
The returners for Miami on offense are all on the offensive line. Guards Anez Cooper and Matthew McCoy, plus right tackle Francis Mauigoa return in 2025. Markel Bell, who was part of the rotation for Miami in 2024, is projected to be the starting left tackle in 2025.
.@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
Miami returns edge-rushers Rueben Bain and Akheem Mesidor, linebacker Wesley Bissainthe, Frederique and strong safety Zaquan Patterson as starters in 2025. Frederique and Patterson are likely to be challenged as starters in 2025. Bain, Bissainthe and Medisor are likely secure in their starting positions.
Miami has a more challenging schedule in 2025 than it did in 2024. The Canes open with Notre Dame, which plays in the National Championship Game on Jan. 20. This is the most difficult opener for Miami since losing to Alabama in 2021. Florida will be greatly improved in 2025 and Florida State on the road is always a challenge.
Miami has eight home games next campaign. Other than Notre Dame on Aug. 30 and Florida on Sept. 20, Miami hosts Bethune-Cookman on Sept. 6 and South Florida on Sept. 20 in non-conference games. The team will host Louisville, North Carolina State, Stanford and Syracuse in ACC contests.
Miami plays at Florida State, Pittsburgh, SMU and Virginia Tech in ACC road games. The full ACC schedule will be announced in late January. Florida State, SMU and Virginia Tech could all be marquee games for Miami that are critical in the race for an ACC Championship Game berth. Playing at Pittsburgh is also a challenge.