What's next for Miami? Explaining questions surrounding replacing Carson Beck, Rueben Bain Jr., more in 2026

The Miami Hurricanes were one game away from glory in the college football season, losing to Indiana 27-21 in the national championship at Hard Rock Stadium.

While the sting of falling short on their home turf will linger through the winter, the "U" is far from entering a dormant period. Coach Mario Cristobal has successfully restored the program’s floor to a championship level, and the focus in Coral Gables has already shifted to finishing the job in 2026.

The roster will certainly look different as the program prepares for a significant changing of the guard. Quarterback Carson Beck and disruptive defensive end Rueben Bain Jr. Headline a group of stars expected to move on to the NFL. Losing Beck’s veteran presence under center and Bain’s game-wrecking ability off the edge leaves massive shoes to fill, but the "next man up" philosophy is backed by a recruiting machine that shows no signs of slowing down.

Despite those departures, the Hurricanes return a formidable core that ensures they will remain a preseason top-10 fixture. Powerhouse running back Mark Fletcher Jr. Is set to return as the engine of the offense, while electric wideout Malachi Toney and defensive stalwarts like Justin Scott provide the elite foundation needed for another run. With the nation's No. 1 offensive tackle recruit, Jackson Cantwell, just one of many set to join the fold and the transfer portal already buzzing with potential replacements for Beck, Miami’s championship window remains open.

Here's more on what's next for the Hurricanes after Monday night's loss.

MORE: Indiana defeats Miami in national championship

Who will be Miami's QB in 2026?

While the Hurricanes’ roster is anchored by returning stars, the most critical question of the 2026 season remains unanswered: who will take the snaps under center?

With Carson Beck heading to the NFL, Cristobal and offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson find themselves back in the transfer portal market that has served them so well in recent years. While several names are being linked to Coral Gables, the Hurricanes have emerged as the clear favorites to land one of the biggest prizes of the winter: Duke breakout star Darian Mensah.

Mensah’s entry into the portal on the final day of the window sent shockwaves through the college football world, especially after he orchestrated one of the most prolific seasons in Duke history. The redshirt sophomore was the engine behind the Blue Devils’ surprising run to the ACC Championship, delivering an elite statistical campaign with 3,973 passing yards, 34 touchdowns, and just six interceptions, all of which ranked near the top of FBS. 

Landing Mensah would represent a massive coup for Miami, as it would mean poaching the top signal-caller from a conference rival. Rumors of a massive NIL package — potentially rivaling the record-breaking $8 million deal he reportedly had at Duke — have positioned Miami as the leader.

While the Hurricanes haven't made it official yet, the prospect of pairing Mensah’s arm talent with returning weapons like Fletcher Jr. And Toney has the fanbase convinced that the program won’t miss a beat in its pursuit of the national title.

MORE: How Mario Cristobal has elevated Miami program

Which key defensive players must Miami replace in 2026?

Miami is set to lose several foundational pieces to the 2026 NFL Draft, particularly along a defensive line that was arguably the most feared unit in college football this past season.

It starts with Bain Jr., who is a projected top-10 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Analysts like Bleacher Report’s Brent Sobleski have called him a "generational talent" whose violent speed-to-power transition is already NFL-ready. His teammate Akheem Mesidor will also be an early draft pick, but maybe not in the first round.

Bain Jr. And Mesidor are just the first two to go. Ahmad Moten Sr., and Keionte Scott will probably go to the next level. Those two all provided something different to Corey Heatherman's unit; Moten swallowed up inside runners and Scott was a swiss army knife — including the pivotal pick-six against Ohio State.

While the "top floor" of the defense is leaving, the basement is loaded. Miami will look to Justin Scott — the former five-star tackle who saw significant snaps as a freshman — to become the new face of the interior. Additionally, sophomore standout Armondo Blount is widely expected to slide into Bain’s starting role, giving the Hurricanes a younger edge threat for 2026.

BENDER: What playing for 'The U' means to South Florida players

What year is Malachi Toney?

Toney was a true freshman in the 2025-26 season. In fact, the superstar wideout enrolled at Miami early, starting the season while he was only 17 years old. Toney, who was top-10 in the nation in catches and receiving yards, became the first true freshman in ACC history to record 99 receptions in a single season.

Toney's debut campaign was nothing short of historic, as he led all FBS freshmen in receptions, receiving yards (1,089), and receiving touchdowns (9). He was the only freshman in the country to surpass the 1,000-yard receiving mark, a feat that earned him the 2025 FWAA Offensive Freshman of the Year award and ACC Rookie of the Year honors.

Beyond his primary role as Beck's top target, the Liberty City native proved to be a versatile weapon for the Hurricanes' offense. He added 113 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground, and even flashed his little league quarterback roots by throwing two touchdown passes on the season.

Following Miami’s playoff run, Toney enters the 2026 season as a consensus First-Team All-ACC selection and the undisputed cornerstone of the Hurricanes' receiving corps.

What year is Mark Fletcher Jr.?

Despite significant NFL Draft interest, Fletcher ignited the fanbase by officially announcing his return to Miami for the 2026 season. By opting to stay for his senior year, Fletcher has the opportunity to become the most prolific rusher in school history, as he currently trails only Duke Johnson and Ottis Anderson on the all-time charts.

Fletcher Jr. Was the undeniable thunder that carried the Hurricanes through the most grueling stretches of their playoff run. The junior powerhouse emerged as the team's heart and soul, cementing his status as one of the premier workhorses in the country during a 2025 campaign defined by physical, blue-collar football. This included his 57-yard touchdown run in the third quarter of the National Championship to get the Hurricanes on the board.

Fletcher was a statistical juggernaut, surpassing the 1,000-yard rushing mark and finding the end zone 12 times during the season. His value, however, was most apparent when the stakes were highest; he was named the Cotton Bowl Offensive MVP after a dominant performance against Ohio State and famously accounted for over 60% of Miami’s total offense in their gritty opening-round win over Texas A&M. By the time the Hurricanes reached the title game, Fletcher had climbed into the top 10 on Miami’s all-time rushing list, drawing comparisons to legendary backs like Edgerrin James and Clinton Portis.

He will begin 2026 on almost every preseason watch list for running backs.

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Miami 2026 schedule

Coming off their historic run to the 2026 National Championship, the Hurricanes face a challenging road back to the playoff. The 2026 season marks a transition for the ACC as it moves toward a nine-game conference schedule, and Miami is one of the 12 teams selected to play the expanded nine-game slate this year.

The Hurricanes will balance the increased conference load with a high-profile non-conference trip to South Bend to face Notre Dame.

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