The Hurricanes outlook for the 2025 is a bit of a question mark at this point as Miami will be tasked with replacing a massive amount of production from the 2024 team.
Offensively, quarterback Cam Ward, tight end Elijah Arroyo, wideouts Xavier Restrepo and Jacolby George and several more players will need to be replaced. The defensive side of the ball is a similar story as several of Miami's top defenders are either NFL bound or have entered the transfer portal.
Head coach Mario Cristobal got a jump start on rebuilding next year's team by landing a top-10 recruiting class this year, but now in the midst of transfer portal season, the Hurricanes are turning their attention there.
The first of two players to commit to play in Coral Gables this week was Jacksonville State transfer safety Zechariah Poyser. In 13 appearances for the Gamecocks this season, Poyser racked up 75 total tackles, eight pass deflections and three interceptions. He was a member of the 2023 recruiting class, but still has three years of eligibility remaining due to redshirting in his freshman season.
@coach_cristobal @CanesFootball pic.twitter.com/McnIw6Ldbj
— Zechariah Poyser (@PoyserZechariah) December 17, 2024
LSU Tigers transfer wideout CJ Daniels also announced his commitment to the Hurricanes this week. A member of the 2020 recruiting class, Daniels spent four seasons with the Liberty Flames before heading to Baton Rouge. In five seasons of college football, the former 3-Star prospect has 148 receptions for over 2,400 yards and 21 touchdowns.
BREAKING: LSU transfer WR CJ Daniels has Committed to Miami, per his rep @caseygunn0
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) December 18, 2024
The 6’2 205 has totaled 148 Receptions for 2,434 Yards & 21 TDs in his college career
Will have 1 year of eligibility remaining https://t.co/WGnBQN40hq pic.twitter.com/GhW3ZOavhU
The Hurricanes also spent this week scheduling visits with many talented prospects still in the transfer portal. Miami added three visits with three other wide receivers, hoping to potentially find some depth for next year's group.
Georgia Tech transfer Eric Singleton is expected to be in Coral Gables next week, according to On3.
TRANSFER PORTAL TRACKER: Georgia Tech WR Eric Singleton expected to visit Miami next week, would bring explosive playmaking to Hurricanes - https://t.co/90E85nZYp9 pic.twitter.com/CHWYz3FcQ4
— CaneSport Miami Hurricanes (@CaneSport) December 13, 2024
On top of Singleton, Miami is also expected to host NC State transfer KC Concepcion and Oklahoma State transfer De'Zhaun Stribling as well.
Mikai Gbayor, a transfer linebacker from Nebraska, was in town this week for a visit with the Hurricanes. The talented defender took to social media to share.
#GoCanes pic.twitter.com/0ChfcLB7FQ
— ℝ (@MGbayor) December 16, 2024
As for players already signed and set to arrive on campus, Canes quarterback signee Luke Nickel guided his team to a state championship this week, throwing for over 400 yards and four touchdowns while doing so. Take a look at one of the signal caller's most impressive plays from the win.
BANG
— On3 Recruits (@On3Recruits) December 18, 2024
Miami QB signee Luke Nickel hits a 70-yard TD pass to put Milton up 14-0 over Langston Hughes in the Georgia 5A titlehttps://t.co/jDwTeZ3xyypic.twitter.com/g6nMLGFBRr
Miami signee Malachi Toney was named the Florida High School Player of the Year by MaxPreps. A 5-foot-10, 182 lb. slot target, Toney was nothing short of excellent this season. He helped guide his team to its first ever state championship victory while compiling over 1,700 all-purpose yards and 23 total touchdowns.
Malachi Toney (@MALACHITONEY2) named 2024 MaxPreps Florida High School Football Player of the Year.
— MaxPreps (@MaxPreps) December 18, 2024
Full story ⬇️https://t.co/rA43cOFaT7 pic.twitter.com/4cmLJMY3M5
Looking ahead to 2026 and beyond, the Canes look to have begun making progress on the future recruiting classes.
4-Star cornerback in the 2026 class Zyan Gibson announced his final list of four schools this week, including Miami among Alabama, Auburn and Tennessee. He is ranked by 247Sports as the No. 7 player in the state of Alabama.
MY TOP 4 SCHOOLS
— Zyan “z7evenn” Gibson (@ZyanGibson) December 14, 2024
Where will the next chapter be written?
Alabama | Auburn
Tennessee | Miami
Decision Loading… ⏳
Stay tuned. The journey continues! pic.twitter.com/E0URvI6w9X
In more 2026 news, the Hurricanes extended an offer to offensive lineman Ben Congdon from Mineral City, Ohio. Standing at 6-foot-6, 280 lbs. as just a junior, Congdon already has over nine division one offers.
Excited to have earned my ninth D1 offer from the University of Miami! Thank you for believing in me @coach_cristobal, & @CoachMirabal.
— Ben Congdon (@Bencongdon58) December 8, 2024
@DJRSwework pic.twitter.com/JhcY1nHjOp
Check out the Miami football recruiting tracker for a full breakdown of the 2025 class and more.
Check out the Miami men's hoops recruiting tracker for a full breakdown of the 2025 class and more.
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