Honestly, following the Miami Hurricanes is a bit like riding a roller coaster that only goes up when you aren't looking. After Cam Ward lit up the scoreboard in 2024, everyone kind of assumed 2025 would be a massive "rebuilding" year. You know the drill—lose your star QB, lose your top receivers, and wait for the "next time."
But then Mario Cristobal did what he does. He hit the portal. Hard.
The miami hurricanes depth chart 2025 isn't just a list of guys filling holes; it's a roster that, on paper, actually has more top-to-bottom depth than the team that just went 10-2. We aren't talking about a few lucky bounces here. We’re talking about a systematic overhaul that brought in a former SEC superstar at quarterback and a defensive coordinator from Minnesota, Corey Hetherman, who basically lives to make life miserable for opposing offensive lines.
The Quarterback Room: Life After Ward
It’s the question every Canes fan has been chewing on since the NFL Draft buzz started. How do you replace Cam Ward?
You go and get Carson Beck.
It’s a wild move, really. Beck coming down from Georgia brings a completely different vibe than Ward’s "magic trick" style of play. Beck is more of a surgeon—6-foot-4, 230 pounds, and someone who has played in the biggest games imaginable. He isn't going to scramble for 20 yards every other play, but he’s going to put the ball exactly where it needs to be.
Behind him, the depth is actually pretty solid. Emory Williams is still around, and most people forget how much the staff likes him. He’s the primary backup. Then you have the young guns. Luke Nickel is the name you’re going to hear a lot. He’s a true freshman who reclassified, and while he’s currently third on the chart, the kid has a "it" factor that's hard to ignore.
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The Weapons: Who's Catching the Ball?
Losing Xavier Restrepo and Jacolby George should have been a death sentence for the passing game. It wasn't.
Cristobal grabbed CJ Daniels (LSU/Liberty) and Keelan Marion (BYU/UConn) to provide that veteran "I've been here before" energy. But the real excitement is the youth movement. JoJo Trader and Joshisa Trader—whatever you want to call him—is a human highlight reel. He’s already pushing for a starting spot on the outside.
Then there’s the slot. This is where things get interesting. Malachi Toney and Ray Ray Joseph are basically battling it out every single day in practice. It’s a "co-starter" situation right now.
Tight Ends and H-Backs
This is where offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson gets to be a nerd. Elija Lofton is listed as an "H-Back," but he’s basically a Swiss Army knife. He can line up in the backfield, in the slot, or with his hand in the dirt. Alex Bauman, the Tulane transfer, is your more traditional big-bodied tight end.
The Trenches: Where Games Are Won
If you want to know why people are high on the 2025 Canes, look at the offensive line. Francis Mauigoa is back at right tackle. He’s a future Sunday player, period.
The left side is where the competition is fierce. Markel Bell is a mountain of a man at 6-foot-8, and he’s currently the guy at left tackle. But Samson Okunlola, the "Pancake Honcho," is healthy and pushing for time at both tackle and guard. The staff has Matthew McCoy and Okunlola listed as co-starters at left guard, which tells you everything you need to know about the depth.
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Anez Cooper is the anchor at right guard. He’s been a starter since he was a freshman, and having that kind of experience next to Mauigoa makes the right side of the line a literal wall.
A Defensive Identity Shift
The 2024 defense was... frustrating. Let's be real. It gave up too many big plays and the communication was occasionally "middle school level" bad. Enter Corey Hetherman.
The word out of Coral Gables is "simple." Hetherman wants these guys to stop thinking and start hitting.
The Defensive Front
Rueben Bain Jr. is the face of this defense. He’s a monster. Whether he’s lining up at end or sliding inside on third downs, he’s the guy every offensive coordinator has to circle in red. Akheem Mesidor is finally healthy and starting opposite him.
The interior is where the rotation gets deep:
- David Blay: The projected starter who has shown massive growth.
- Justin Scott: The former 5-star recruit. He’s a co-starter with Ahmad Moten.
- Armondo Blount: This kid is everywhere. He’s listed as a backup at both DE and DT, which basically means he's going to play 40 snaps a game anyway.
Linebackers and the Secondary
Wesley Bissainthe is the veteran leader in the middle. He’s stayed home, stayed loyal, and now he’s the "quarterback" of the defense. Next to him is Mohamed Toure, the Rutgers transfer who has been a revelation in camp.
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The secondary was the biggest weakness in 2024. It’s been completely rebuilt. OJ Frederique and Ethan O'Connor are the young corners everyone is talking about, but the portal additions of Keionte Scott (Auburn) and Jakobe Thomas (Tennessee) at the safety and nickel spots give this group a floor they haven't had in years.
Special Teams: The Hidden Edge
You can't talk about a Miami depth chart without mentioning the specialists. Dylan Joyce is back at punter, and he’s arguably one of the best in the ACC at pinning teams deep.
The kicking situation is a "wait and see." Bert Auburn (the Texas transfer) and Carter Davis are locked in a battle. It’s 50/50 right now. In the return game, keep an eye on Malachi Toney. The coaches are looking for any excuse to get the ball in his hands.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors
If you're looking at this roster and wondering how it translates to wins, keep these three things in mind:
- The Floor is Higher: In 2024, if a couple of starters went down, Miami was in trouble. In 2025, the "second team" on the offensive line and in the secondary features guys who would start at 80% of other Power Four schools.
- Efficiency over Explosiveness: Don't expect Carson Beck to put up the "Heisman highlight" rushing yards that Ward did. Expect a more methodical, ball-control offense that relies on the run game (led by Mark Fletcher and Jordan Lyle) to set up deep shots.
- The November Test: The depth is designed for the late-season grind. Cristobal has built this roster to be physical enough to handle a 12-game schedule without falling apart in November.
The miami hurricanes depth chart 2025 is a reflection of a program that has stopped trying to "get lucky" and started trying to out-recruit and out-work the rest of the conference. Whether that leads to an ACC Championship remains to be seen, but the talent is undeniably there.
To stay ahead of the curve, keep a close eye on the weekly injury reports regarding the offensive line, as the "co-starter" designations at guard suggest the coaching staff is still looking for the perfect five-man combination to protect Carson Beck. Watching how the rotation develops in the first three weeks of the season will be the best indicator of this team's true ceiling.