The Miami Hurricanes played a strong 2024 season, and although it ended with a loss to the Iowa State Cyclones in the Pop-Tarts Bowl, it was by far the best season of Mario Cristobal’s tenure as head coach of the Hurricanes.
Unfortunately, 2025 may not yield the same fruit.
Next season, the Hurricanes are losing several top players from this year’s team, most importantly quarterback Cam Ward, who is expected by many to be the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Last week, 247Sports published a list of teams writer Grant Hughes expects to take a step back in 2025, including the Miami Hurricanes.
Miami went 10-3 in 2024, losing to Georgia Tech and Syracuse in addition to the Pop-Tarts Bowl loss. Before losing to the Yellow Jackets, and eventually the Orange, the Hurricanes were poised to win the ACC and earn a top seed in the College Football Playoff.
In addition to losing Ward, the Hurricanes will have to replace, Xavier Restrepo and Jacolby George, their two best receivers. George finished 2024 with eight touchdowns and nearly 800 yards, and Restrepo led the ACC in yards (1127) and TDs (10). Miami also needs to replace star running back Damien Martinez who rushed for 10 TDs and 1002 yards.
To replace their All-American QB in Cam Ward, the Hurricanes brought in former Georgia QB Carson Beck through the transfer portal. Beck started two seasons with the Bulldogs, seeing mixed results. Leading up to the 2024 season, he was a favorite to win the Heisman Trophy but didn’t come close to playing up to those expectations. Beck still has lots of potential, and switching schools could be what he needs to succeed.
Offense isn’t the only place where Miami is losing its key contributors. On defense, the Hurricanes are losing Francisco Mauigoa, their top tackler, who finished 2024 with 96 tackles, 11 TFLs, two sacks, an INT, and a forced fumble. In the secondary, Miami is losing Mishael Powell — their top safety — and Daryl Porter Jr. — one of their top cornerbacks.
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