Where Miami Hurricanes stand in preseason polls, watch lists and All-America teams
As a result, the Hurricanes have received their share of hype and accolades heading into the season, which for UM begins on Aug. 31 with a marquee matchup against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Hard Rock Stadium.
Here's a quick look at the preseason rankings and honors given to UM and its players heading into the season.
The Associated Press' preseason top 25 poll will be released at noon Monday, but other national outlets have the Hurricanes ranked in their preseason polls. Among them:
USA Today coaches poll: 10
This marks the first time since 2018 that UM opens the season as a top-10 team in the coaches poll.
Athlon: 10
What they're saying: 'The Hurricanes won the offseason thanks to the arrival of another standout recruiting class, along with a transfer portal haul that addressed several weaknesses. The biggest acquisition was Georgia's Carson Beck to replace No. 1 overall NFL Draft pick Cam Ward at quarterback. Beck suffered a significant elbow injury in the SEC Championship Game but is on track to return for the opener. With a young receiving corps, Miami may need to lean on its offensive line and ground game to carry the team early on. Improving the defense was head coach Mario Cristobal's biggest offseason priority. New defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman directed one of the Big Ten's top defenses at Minnesota, and transfer reinforcements are coming to bolster a leaky secondary.'
Lindy's Sports: 10
What they're saying: 'Can Mario Cristobal enter college football's coaching elites? Stubbing his toe against Georgia Tech and Syracuse last November were colossal mishaps that kept the Hurricanes out of the playoffs — even with the eventual No. 1 overall pick at quarterback. Georgia transfer quarterback Carson Beck is an ideal replacement for Cam Ward and the offense will score a ton of points with Shannon Dawson again calling the shots.'
The outlet continues to say that UM's games against Notre Dame, Florida and SMU 'will show where Miami fits into the national picture' but that the Hurricanes also will 'have to avoid the toe stubbers.'
Phil Steele: 14
What they're saying: 'Don't sleep on a Mario Cristobal squad as they have talent and will fight you. Last year a late loss cost them a berth in the ACC title game and a shot at the playoffs. They learned from that lesson and this time last year Carson Beck was a higher rated prospect than Cam Ward.'
Nine Hurricanes players have been named to watch lists for national awards.
Quarterback Carson Beck leads the way with preseason recognition for three awards: Walter Camp Player of the Year, the Maxwell Award (national player of the year) and Davey O'Brien Award (top quarterback).
Offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa is the only other UM player named to multiple watch lists, landing on both the watch lists for the Outland Trophy (best interior lineman) and Wuerffel Trophy (the player who 'best combines exemplary community service with athletic and academic achievement').
The other seven to be named to watch lists: Defensive lineman Rueben Bain Jr. (Bronko Nagurski Trophy, best defensive player), offensive lineman Anez Cooper (Outland Trophy), linebacker Wesley Bissainthe (Butkus Award, best linebacker), wide receiver/kick returner Keelan Marion (Paul Hornung Award, most versatile player), center James Brockermeyer (Rimington Trophy, best center), tight end Elija Lofton (Mackey Award, best tight end) and long snapper Adam Booker (Patrick Mannelly Award, best long snapper).
Mauigoa and Marion are the only UM players who received preseason first-team All-America recognition.
Mauigoa landed on first team by Sporting News, Walter Camp and Athlon, while also getting second-team recognition by Lindy's Sports and third team honors from Phil Steele.
Marion earned preseason first-team honors as a kick returner by Sporting News, Phil Steele, Walter Camp and Athlon.
Bain was a preseason second-team All-American by Sporting News, Lindy's Sports and Athlon while also being named to third team by Phil Steele. Cooper, meanwhile, was named a fourth team preseason All-American by Phil Steele.
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