Gone, are much of the starting offensive linemen, who were instrumental and vital to last season's success. Coach Mario Cristobal's superpower is his experience and coaching of offensive lineman.
The fact that the University of Miami's coaching staff has to scramble to assemble talented offensive lineman, is beyond the program's control.
People do move on, which is part of everyday life. Last season's offensive line play featured many of Cristobal's nuances. One nuance that set the tone and allowed the program to once again regain national prominence, was that unit's physicality.
When a team is physical, it typically means it values primarily running the ball. The potential addition of talented lineman who can play that brand of football could become a factor in the program resolving the need to fill the roles of the departed offensive linemen, who helped propel the Hurricanes' ground attack into an unstoppable rushing attack in crucial victories.
Heralded offensive lineman, Isaiah Whitehead is "chomping at the bit," to join the Hurricanes. He has to wait until coach Cristobal grants him that petition. Prospects project Whitehead in the top 300 offensive lineman in 2028.
Sadly, Whitehead's potential contribution will not do the program any good this upcoming season. The only positive one could regard in the anticipation of the 2026 season is the return of at least one to two offensive linemen from last season.
Matthew McCoy is truly considered the lone and most polished offensive lineman the Canes can count on to continue the physical line play of the 2025 squad. It will be interesting to observe how coach Cristobal can somehow get the most out of the inexperienced talent he is able to develop.
The key to any team's offensive success are the "big nasties" up front. Time will tell if the unit can capitalize upon its newfound reputation of being physical.