Miami football vaults in updated 2024 Way Too Early Top 25 rankings

The Miami football team moved from 19th to 12th in the 247 Sports "Way-too-early top 25 for 2024 after signing day, coaching changes," The addition of quarterback Cam Ward was the biggest reason Miami moved up in the rankings.

Brad Crawford summarized the Way Too Early Top 25 for 247 Sports. The rankings were updated with the offseason slowing down following coaching changes, transfers signing and National Signing Day last Wednesday. A few weeks ahead of the start of spring football, expect another Way Too Early Top 25 update in April.

The addition of Ward significantly increases the 2024 expectations for Miami. Expect Miami to be active in the transfer portal in April. The spring transfer portal window is open from April 16-30. Miami has a few positions it needs to add depth and upgrade its roster at entering the 2024 season.

More experience on the offensive line and a proven outside wide receiver are the most prominent positions of need for the 2024 Miami roster. Miami lost starting offensive linemen Javion Cohen and Matt Lee to the NFL Draft. Starting wide receiver Colbie Young left the Hurricanes for Georgia as a transfer.

"12. MIAMI HURRICANES
Previous ranking: No. 19
Why the seven-spot jump for Miami over the last five weeks? For starters, the acquisition of Washington State quarterback Cam Ward was the elite piece this Hurricanes team needed to go from potentially really good to great in 2024. The schedule's favorable by ACC standards, too. Mario Cristobal needs to show forward momentum in Year 3 at the program after getting to bowl season and losing to Rutgers to cap an up and down 2023 campaign and has a prime opportunity to do so with a difference-maker under center and talent elsewhere."

- Brad Crawford, 247Sports

Miami only has three 2024 games versus teams in the 247Sports Way Too Early Top 25. Florida State is 19th, Louisville 20th and Virginia Tech is 23rd. Without any teams ranked ahead of them, the schedule sets up well for Miami to improve significantly in 2024. This is a critical season for Mario Cristobal.

Opening the season at Florida will be challenging. Miami needs to build momentum in the non-conference schedule and continue that when the Hurricanes begin ACC play on September 27 versus Virginia Tech. Miami plays at Louisville on October 19 and hosts Florida State on October 26.

Miami will know by the end of October if they are an ACC title contender and a challenge for a College Football Playoff spot. By ranking Miami 12th in their Way Too Early Top 25, 247Sports distinctly believes that Miami will challenge for a College Football Playoff berth.