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Miami Among Top ACC Teams in Post-Spring Rankings

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Blayne Gilmer | Last updated May 22, 2025 1:37 PM ET

The Miami Hurricanes have climbed to No. 12 in ESPN’s updated SP+ rankings following spring practice, an encouraging sign for a program looking to build off its 10-win campaign last fall. The jump from their initial No. 14 position in February reflects growing confidence in the team’s roster development, key transfer additions, and overall direction under third-year head coach Mario Cristobal.

At the heart of the optimism surrounding Miami is the arrival of quarterback Carson Beck, who transferred in from Georgia after leading the Bulldogs to the College Football Playoff in 2024. Beck brings high-level experience and poise to an offense that already showed signs of life last season. He’s expected to thrive in coordinator Shannon Dawson’s system, which emphasizes quick reads and tempo, and his presence alone could push the Hurricanes into ACC title contention.

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The offense isn’t just about Beck. Miami also landed FCS standout CharMar Brown, a dynamic running back from North Dakota State who earned national honors, rushing for nearly 1,200 yards, en route to a championship season in 2024. Brown’s physical running style and big-play ability could make him a focal point in Miami’s ground game, helping to balance out the offensive attack.

Miami also added weapons for Beck to target on the perimeter. Tony Johnson, a wide receiver transfer from Cincinnati, and Keelan Marions, a transfer from BYU, are both experienced players with proven production that the Hurricanes added after spring ball.

Defensively, Miami has added some key pieces late in the transfer portal cycle. Linebacker Mohamed Toure from Rutgers is recovering from a torn ACL in 2024, but had 93 tackles in 2023. If healthy, he'll be a big boost to the linebacking corps. Safety was also bolstered with the additions of Keionte Scott and Jakobe Thomas. Scott has played at Auburn and Houston, and Thomas is from Tennessee.

The SP+ rankings, compiled by ESPN’s Bill Connelly, use returning production, recruiting, and past performance as predictive metrics. Miami’s two-spot rise from February to May speaks volumes about how the Hurricanes are viewed internally and nationally.

With early matchups against Notre Dame and Florida looming, Miami’s place in the SP+ top 15 could be validated or tested quickly. But if spring was any indication, the Hurricanes have the pieces to make a serious run in 2025.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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