The Miami Hurricanes came within a hair of claiming the school’s first national championship since 2001 last month after coming up short to Indiana 27-21 in the national championship game.
The loss was particularly painful with a number of impact players heading out the door. EDGE Rueben Bain, Jr., OL Francis Mauigoa, OL Markel Bell, CB Keionte Scott, and S Jakobe Thomas are among a number of impact players leaving town.
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However, the program appears to be well positioned to make another run in 2026. They made some impact additions in the transfer portal with names like Duke QB Darian Mensah, Duke WR Cooper Barkate, and Missouri EDGE Damon Wilson II.
And Mario Cristobal managed to keep a number of his own contributors from leaving town, which can only be described as a win. ESPN college football writer Max Olson named the most important returning player for each Top 25 team, and for Miami, Olson listed RB mark Fletcher, Jr.
ESPN names Mark Fletcher, Jr. as Miami Hurricanes’ most important retention for 2026
“Fletcher put it all together in 2025 with an All-ACC junior season, rushing for 507 of his 1,192 yards during the Hurricanes’ CFP run and punching in 14 touchdowns on the year,” Olson wrote. “His strong finish in the postseason didn’t sway him in his plans to return for his senior year and try to help Miami go all the way. He’s an invaluable workhorse back and leader for the Hurricanes who will once again be complemented by a strong supporting cast of RBs with CharMar Brown and Jordan Lyle returning and Girard Pringle Jr. opting to stay after announcing plans to transfer.”
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Fletcher was the engine who really powered the Hurricanes’ offense during their 2025 playoff run. In the Hurricanes’ four playoff games, Fletcher racked up 507 rushing yards on 75 carries with two rushing touchdowns in addition to a receiving touchdown against Ohio State. His 507 rushing yards set the record for the most in a single College Football Playoff.
How well Miami can knock open holes for Fletcher and the rest of Miami’s impressive group of running backs, which includes Marty Brown, Gerard Pringle, and Jordan Lyle, remains to be seen. The Hurricanes will have to replace four starters on the offensive line.
But Cristobal and offensive line coach Alex Mirabal have done a terrific job assembling a quality group up front the last two years. And if they can do that again in 2026, with Fletcher leading the way on offense, the Hurricanes should be very formidable this fall.
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This story was originally published by A to Z Sports on Feb 25, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add A to Z Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
