Miami’s national profile continues to grow, with five Hurricanes featuring in ESPN’s preseason Top 100 and Armondo Blount earning breakout recognition as Stanford moves ever closer.
Five Canes feature in ESPN’s Top 100
Miami are not exactly short of star power heading into 2026.
Five Hurricanes feature in ESPN’s preseason ranking of the top 100 players in college football, with Malachi Toney leading the way at No. 4 nationally.
He is joined by Ahmad Moten at No. 18, Darian Mensah at No. 23, Mark Fletcher Jr. at No. 29 and Damon Wilson II at No. 63.
That is an impressive group.
It is also nicely balanced.
Miami have a quarterback, receiver and running back recognised among the best players in the country, alongside two defensive linemen.
Toney’s rise remains the most remarkable.
A year ago, we were wondering what Miami might get from a 17-year-old freshman.
He responded by leading the nation with a Miami-record 109 receptions, producing a programme-record 1,211 receiving yards and finishing with 13 total touchdowns.
Now ESPN considers him the fourth-best player in college football.
That escalated quickly.
Blount earns breakout recognition
One Hurricane outside the Top 100 might not stay there for long.
ESPN has identified Armondo Blount as one of its potential breakout players for the 2026 season.
The opportunity is obvious.
Blount recorded 17 tackles and 2.5 sacks last year while developing behind Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor.
Both are now first-round NFL Draft picks.
Blount now gets his chance.
He will not have to replace their production alone. Wilson brings proven pass-rushing ability, while Marquise Lightfoot, Justin Scott and Moten give Corey Hetherman plenty of options across the defensive front.
That is why Blount is such an interesting player heading into Stanford.
He is not being asked to become the next Bain.
He is being asked to become the best version of Armondo Blount.
If that happens, Miami could have another serious problem for opposing offensive lines.
Poyser takes on a bigger role
Thursday also brought fresh attention to Zechariah Poyser, who is moving into a more important role at safety following the departure of Jakobe Thomas.
Poyser finished 2025 with 68 tackles, six pass break-ups, a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries.
Now he becomes one of the experienced figures in a secondary containing plenty of younger talent.
We have talked enough this month about leadership roles, so the more interesting point is what Poyser gives Hetherman on the field.
He is physical, experienced in the system and capable of helping organise a secondary that could be one of Miami’s deepest position groups.
That matters considerably more than another August quote about setting an example.
Eight days to Stanford
Miami officially open the season at Stanford on Friday 4 September at 9pm ET, which means a 2am Saturday kick-off in the UK.
Eight days.
We are almost finished discussing what this roster might become.
Soon enough, we get to see it.
The Last Word from Across the Pond
Thursday’s national recognition tells its own story.
Toney is now viewed as one of the very best players in college football. Mensah, Moten, Fletcher and Wilson all sit inside ESPN’s Top 100. Blount is being tipped as one of the players capable of joining that level of conversation.
Miami have established stars and younger players ready for bigger opportunities.
That is why expectations are so high.
Eight days from Stanford, there is very little left to predict.
Soon enough, Miami have to prove it.
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