2026 Miami Hurricanes

Leonardfan

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Since 2006 Miami started 4, 4, 2, 4, 2, 4, 5, 3, 4, 4, 3, 3, 4, 2, 2, 2, 4,3, 2 and 4 whites. In 2026 the Hurricanes start 4.


Offense
LT Jackson Cantwell
OL Ben Congdon
RG Max Buchanan
WR Cooper Barkate

Defense
None

Outside of Drew Bennett look-a-like (sort of) and play-a-like, Barkate, the Hurricanes' true freshman class is the huge story.

Jackson Cantwell can be regarded a prodigy. The top LT recruit in the nation, much like of Luke Wafle of U.S.C at DE. Like Wafle, Cantwell is a potential future top 5 to 10 NFL pick.

Five-star offensive tackle Jackson Cantwell's freshman (NIL) valuation with the Miami Hurricanes is estimated between $1.5 million and $2.5 million annually

As good as Cantwell (6'8") has been, fellow true freshman Ben Congdon (6'7") has, perhaps, been just as impressive? Got his first start @Clemson October 3rd. In time, the duo might form the best pair of OT's in college football:

"Miami could end up starting two true freshmen up front by the time October rolls around in Congdon and five-star Jackson Cantwell," 247Sports director of scouting Andrew Ivins wrote. "It would be easy to shine the spotlight on Cantwell, given all of his prep accolades, but Congdon has been one of the biggest surprises for the Hurricanes this preseason. A tall road grader with a decorated wrestling background, Congdon can create a large orbit for rushers."

QB Luke Nickle has played well in mop up duty.

Tight end Gavin Mueller and WR Vance Spafford have already made an impact, albeit limited. Both were coveted 4-star recruits. Spafford, (from So. Cal) currently profiles as a slot receiver, but might project as a Ladd McConkey type going forward.

On defense, no White Hurricane defender has registered a tackle this season. Have only 3 on the roster. Only one with potential promise could be coveted DE Logan Nagle from Wayne, New Jersey, although he might be redshirted this season.


P.S.: Defensive backs Ethan O'Connor, Bryce Fitzgerald, J.J. Dunnigan and Dylan Day. One might presume all are fine, athletic, White Irish lads. But this isn't the 1972 Miami Dolphins; all of the DB's listed are blacks of various hues.

credit: @Truthteller
 
Thanks, Freethinker.

One of the better write-ups to do, because of the big time, true freshmen. Not out of the question that both Jackson Cantwell and Ben Congdon could be future first round picks.

In addition to those 2 true freshmen, Hurricanes signed 3 other 3/4 star recruits on the offensive line: OC Rhys Woodrow (6'4"); OG J.J. Sparks (6'3") and OT Jacob Hawks (6'9"). Starting RG Max Buchanan is only a sophomore. Could Miami employ a snow plow O-line by next season, with a high impact White tight end?

The mature looking Woodrow is getting playing time as a backup and could start by next season, if not by the end of this season? Sparks and Hawks might be red-shirt or transfer candidates?

Here's some info on Cantwell, who doesn't seem like your typical Miami student, academically:
Son of Christian Cantwell, a former American shot putter and Olympic silver medalist. He is married to former Olympic shot putter Teri Steer, who is Jackson's mother.
Academics: Along with his 4.0 grade-point average, he took advanced and AP classes early in his high school career and scored a 33 on the ACT (Equivalent to 1460 S.A.T.) as an eighth grader.

Best I can find regarding Vance Spafford's N.I.L. deal:

For Vance Spafford, The visible base estimate is $571.5K. The pool-accounting allocation is $752K, equal to about 1.6% of the Miami (FL) football market.
 
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