The dismissal of Cam Vaughn is a reminder that not every recruit or transfer portal acquisition is guaranteed to work out. It doesn't mean these are bad moves, and hindsight can be a dangerous tool, but nothing is a sure thing.Â
I mean it was perfectly reasonable to expect Vaughn to compete for one of the starting WR positions with the Miami Hurricanes based on his previous two seasons of production. Instead, Vaughn joins defensive back Conrad Hussey as transfers that didn't make it to Week 1.Â
READ MORE: Cam Vaughn's dismissal is simply a product of Miami's deep and talented roster
But like Mario Cristobal says over and over again, we push forward. That's why it's time to check in on the other transfers as we've reached the midway point of training camp. Who's starting? Who's going to be a backup? Who's rising and who's fading?
Here's a mid-camp projection of where Miami's 2026 transfer portal class currently stands:
Miami has these players penciled in as Week 1 starters
QB Darian Mensah (Duke): There's no question about this one. Miami went through all the hoops to land Mensah, and the 2025 passing yards leader in the Power 4 is going to be behind center when the Hurricanes open the season against Stanford.
WR Cooper Barkate (Duke): The best way to compliment a 1,000-yard receiver like Malachi Toney is to bring in another 1,000-yard receiver like Barkate. While many of the Hurricanes position battles at wide receiver are fierce and will be all season, Barkate feels like a safe bet at WR2.
EDGE Damon Wilson II (Missouri): Miami needed a big-time pass rusher to step in and replicate some of the production that Rueben Bain and Akheem Mesidor offered last season. Wilson II is a pure pass rusher and had nine sacks last year with the Tigers.Â
DB Omar Thornton (Boston College): Thornton will open the season as the starting nickel, and he's been lauded for his business-like approach and on-field leadership.Â
PK Jack Olsen (Northwestern): Olsen went 19-of-21 on field goals last season with the Wildcats. He will assume those placekicking duties in Coral Gables.
Miami will use these players in regular rotation
WR Vandrevius Jacobs (South Carolina): Whether Jacobs is the starter at WR3 or not, he'll be involved in the offense and get a good amount of snaps per game. He's in a battle with about 4–5 other players to be the primary option in the 3 and 4-wide sets.
DL Keona Davis (Nebraska): Davis is versatile and offers the Hurricanes different looks all across the line. He's probably a natural 3-tech, but Davis has experience lining up wide and could be used there as well. Expect him to be one of the first defensive lineman off the bench.
READ MORE: Keona Davis' versatility will prove to be major asset on the Miami defensive line
KS Jake Weinberg (Florida State): Weinberg is the backup kicker, and he was ok, but not particularly reliable (12-of-19) as a primary place kicker last year with the Seminoles. He'll likely handle kickoffs this season.Â
Miami hopes these players can provide additional depth
DL Jarquez Carter (Ohio State): Carter is another promising depth piece, and he's just a sophomore, so there's time to work him in and increase his role as the season progresses.
OL Jamal Meriweather (Georgia): The hope was that Meriweather would be the swing tackle and, at 6-foot-7, 310 pounds, he has the size for it. More than likely, he'll be depth at guard and could play tackle in a crunch.
OL Jonathan Cline (East Tennessee State):Â Cline is another big body (6-4, 315) that will add more depth at guard. He's not expected to play crucial snaps unless injuries force him into action.Â
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