Things seem like they couldn't be going much better for the Miami Hurricanes football team right now. They are on the verge of bringing in another top-flight quarterback from the transfer portal and earlier in the day it was announced that veteran linebacker Chase Smith will be back for a sixth season.
Linebacker is probably the biggest question mark Miami faces going into next season. They will lose multi-year starter Wesley Bissanthe and regular rotation guy Raul Aguirre, who decided to enter the transfer portal. But late last week, veteran starter Mohamed Toure announced he'll be back for his eighth year of college football and, with Smith joining him, it gives Miami a wealth of experience to lean on as younger talent will be asked to take on bigger roles.
Starter Mo Toure isn't the only UM senior veteran LB who will get another year of eligibility to return. Chase Smith -whose experience/coverage skills/physicality are an asset in the LB rotation -also is expected back, with past injuries expected to get him another year as well.
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) January 27, 2026
Chase Smith expected to return to Hurricanes for sixth year
Smith enjoyed a second straight season at full health and appeared in all 16 games this season. He had 31 tackles, two fumble recoveries and two passes defended. Smith was a key reserve for the Hurricanes as a freshman in 2021, but injuries kept him off the field for much of the 2022 and 2023 seasons. When he's healthy, Smith offers a lot of flexibility on defense. A former high school wide receiver, Smith has the athleticism to be solid in coverage, and he's not afraid to be physical with his 6-foot-2, 240-pound frame.
The flexibility is really where Smith's value is high. He can start or play in sub packages, and he can also be a player on special teams. As a veteran, he'll be able to help the younger players get up to speed and act like an additional coach on the field, in practice and in the locker rooms.
With all the big news surrounding Darian Mensah and his expected commitment to the Hurricanes, it's easy to see that Smith's return might fall under the radar. But for Mario Cristobal and the Miami coaching staff, the return of another veteran leader on defense can't be understated.