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Miami Herald
01-08-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
30 key Miami Hurricanes for 2025 season: CharMar Brown adds key running back depth
The Miami Hurricanes kick off the 2025 season on Aug. 31 with a marquee matchup against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Hard Rock Stadium (7:30 p.m., ABC). With the calendar officially flipped to August, the Miami Herald is counting down 30 of the most important players on the Hurricanes' roster, one per day leading up to the season opener, to provide a closer look at the team heading into coach Mario Cristobal's fourth season. To kick things off, we will take a look at player No. 30 on our list, CharMar Brown. Position: Running back. Hometown: Omaha, Nebraska. Year: Redshirt sophomore. How he got to Miami: 2025 transfer (North Dakota State University). Key stats: 1,181 rushing yards, 15 touchdowns, 4.8 yards per rush as a redshirt freshman at NDSU. In summary: CharMar Brown, who also goes by 'Marty,' was dominant at the Football Championship Subdivision level as a redshirt freshman. He won the Jerry Rice Award as the top FCS freshman and for good reason. He had four 100-yard games and three multitouchdown games, including a pair of three-touchdown efforts. He will have to adjust to Power 4 football, but he'll be supported in a backfield that also has a pair of proven runners in Mark Fletcher Jr. and Jordan Lyle. 'I just stay patient and trust my teammates and trust the coaching staff so that when my opportunity comes I capitalize on everything that comes my way.' - CharMar Brown on his success at NDSU. 'I think it's gonna be phenomenal. The way we compete, we compete against each other and we coach each other up at practice day in and day out. We're all brothers and we're looking forward to challenging everyone all season.' - CharMar Brown on the running back room 'Obviously, he's super talented, like the rest of the room. I think he'll add experience to it, quality depth and will compete, just like everybody else will. I'm excited to see what he and the rest of the guys will do' - Hurricanes running back coach Matt Merritt
Miami Herald
23-07-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
MEAC Preseason Poll Shows Razor-Thin Race for 2025 Title
NORFOLK, Va. - The heat of summer is still rising, and fall football is just around the corner. The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) stoked the flames of anticipation by unveiling its 2025 preseason football honors live on ESPN+ during the annual MEAC Football Media Day. If there's one thing sure, HBCU football is ready to reclaim the spotlight. Defending champions South Carolina State were picked to repeat. The Bulldogs earned 63 points and five first-place votes in the coaches and SIDs poll. But don't expect them to cruise. North Carolina Central - coming off a strong campaign of its own - was right on their heels with 61 points and four first-place nods. Morgan State, Norfolk State, Howard, and Delaware State rounded out the predicted order of finish. With each school earning at least one first-place vote, it's a testament to how wide open this year's MEAC title race could be. However, when it comes to individual honors, Morgan State stole the show. Morgan State sophomore running back Jason Collins Jr. was named the 2025 MEAC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year. The Washington, D.C., native torched defenses in 2024 with 634 rushing yards and eight touchdowns, and showed he wasn't just a one-dimensional back, adding 17 catches for 143 receiving yards. His signature moment? A 152-yard performance against Delaware State, highlighted by a 75-yard touchdown run that left defenders in the dust. He finished fifth in the MEAC in rushing and was a finalist for the Jerry Rice Award, given to the FCS's top freshman. Now, he's set to build on that start in 2025. On the other side, Morgan's veteran linebacker Erick Hunter earned Preseason Defensive Player of the Year honors. After missing most of 2024, he returned with authority in the final two games, including a disruptive outing against Howard. Already ninth on Morgan's all-time tackles list (196), Hunter's résumé speaks volumes. He was the 2023 BOXTOROW Impact Player of the Year, an FCS All-American, and a Buck Buchanan Award finalist. His leadership could be the x-factor in a Morgan State title run. North Carolina Central led all programs with eight student-athletes named to the All-MEAC First Team. The Eagles are evenly balanced across offense and defense. That includes quarterback Walker Harris, tight end Luke Bracey, and offensive lineman Noah McKinney, each expected to anchor a high-octane Eagles offense. Morgan State wasn't far behind with six first-teamers. Defensive lineman Dashawn Fields, a sophomore looking to make a major leap, and return specialist Malique Leatherbury, who also earned second-team wide receiver honors. Other standouts include Norfolk State wideout Kam'Ryn Thomas, Howard's defensive lineman duo of Noah Miles and Ishaun Abdul-Ali, and Delaware State's relentless pass rusher Marquise Brunson. Circle your calendars: the MEAC season officially begins on Saturday, August 23, when North Carolina Central faces Southern University in the 2025 MEAC/SWAC Challenge at Center Parc Stadium in Atlanta. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. on ABC - prime time for a prime HBCU football showcase. With talent stacked across every roster, a wide-open race for the title, and young stars ready to ascend, the MEAC's 2025 season is shaping up to be one of the most competitive and compelling in HBCU football. South Carolina State (5) – 63 ptsNorth Carolina Central (4) – 61 ptsMorgan State – 39 ptsNorfolk State (1) – 36 ptsHoward (1) – 33 ptsDelaware State (1) – 20 pts The post MEAC Preseason Poll Shows Razor-Thin Race for 2025 Title appeared first on HBCU Gameday. Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
NFL Draft 2025: Everything you need to know about Shedeur Sanders, Cleveland Browns' fifth-round draft pick
Shedeur Sanders is no stranger to the spotlight. Both his football ability and famous father put Sanders on NFL teams' radars years ago. But the hype didn't match the result, as Sanders fell into the fifth round fo the draft, where he was finally selected by the Cleveland Browns with the 144th pick of the 2025 NFL Draft. After starring at Colorado, Sanders was considered one of the elite quarterback prospects in the draft. If he can live up to the hype, Sanders could be a franchise cornerstone who drastically alters the fate of a downtrodden team for years to come. Given his name, production and the fact that a fan base is going to put all its hopes and dreams into his success, here's everything fans need to know about Sanders. Football fans are well aware Sanders comes from an athletic family. His father, Deion Sanders, made the NFL Hall of Fame after 14 seasons in the league. Deion was known as a shutdown corner who could completely take away a team's best weapon. Over his career, Deion was named to six All-Pro teams, won the 1994 Defensive Player of the Year award and took home two Super Bowl titles. Deion played with five different teams over his career: the Atlanta Falcons, San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys, Washington Commanders and Baltimore Ravens. Deion was known for his tremendous athleticism. He saw time as both a kick returner and receiver in the NFL, and played nine seasons in MLB during the NFL offseason. Deion went into coaching following his playing career. He spent three seasons coaching Jackson State, where he coached Shedeur and two-way star Travis Hunter. Deion left Jackson State for Colorado ahead of the 2023 season, bringing both Shedeur and Hunter along. While both Shedeur and Hunter are leaving for the NFL Draft, Deion will remain at Colorado and coach the Buffaloes next season — he recently signed a five-year, $54 million contract extension. Shedeur's older brother, Shilo Sanders, could also be selected in the 2025 NFL Draft. Shilo and Shedeur played together at Colorado the past two seasons. While Shedeur excelled on the offensive side of the ball, Shilo played safety. As a senior, Shilo, 25, played in 10 games with the Buffaloes. He tallied 67 combined tackles, with one sack and one forced fumble. Shilo is unlikely to be picked in the early rounds of the draft. He did not get invited to the NFL scouting combine and battled injuries in college. Given his name, Shilo could draw increased interest in the draft despite some limitations. Sanders first made a name for himself at Jackson State. After his freshman year was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Sanders was quickly named the starting quarterback for his father's team. Sanders was outstanding in his first year, throwing for 30 touchdowns against eight interceptions. That performance earned Sanders the Jerry Rice Award, which is given to the most outstanding freshman in college football. He was the first player from an HBCU to win the award. Sanders improved on those numbers as a sophomore, throwing for 40 touchdowns against six interceptions. After the season ended, Sanders entered the transfer program and eventually joined his father at Colorado. Sanders may have transferred to a new school, but his stats remained excellent. Sanders excelled immediately, averaging 356.2 passing yards per game in his first five starts with the Buffaloes. While the team finished a disappointing 4-8, Shedeur had 27 passing touchdowns and three interceptions. He was even better as a senior. Sanders led the Big 12 in completions, attempts, completion percentage and passing touchdowns and helped Colorado to a 9-4 record. He ended the season with 37 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. That performance earned Sanders an eighth-place finish in the Heisman voting. Hunter, Sanders' teammate, won the award. In 2024, Deion made comments suggesting he would try to control where Shedeur and Hunter went in the NFL Draft. Deion said he knew where he wanted both players to go in the draft, and claimed "certain cities" were going to be out of play. Deion added, "It's going to be an Eli," a reference to former New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, who informed the San Diego Chargers he would not play for the franchise ahead of the 2004 NFL Draft. The Chargers, who held the No. 1 overall pick, did take Manning, but quickly traded him to the Giants for quarterback Philip Rivers, who went No. 4 overall. In March, however, Deion reversed course, saying he would not try to "orchestrate" Shedeur's landing spot. Deion said he'd comfortable with wherever Shedeur is drafted because he knows Shedeur will excel with any team. Yahoo Sports' Nate Tice lauded Sanders for his toughness, arm and ball placement. Sanders will need to work on his timing and feel in the pocket, but was able to improve his pocket movement as a senior. Tice believes Sanders will need to land in a good situation to take that next step forward. Sanders ranked No. 32 on Yahoo Sports' 2025 NFL Draft big board, and it was believed he could go higher than that due to his position. But that didn't happen, and questions remain about Sanders' ultimate upside. All eyes will be on him in Cleveland to see how he responds to his draft slide.
Miami Herald
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
News, notes, thoughts, fallout from UM's post-spring portal cycle. And announcement coming
University of Miami News, notes, thoughts, fallout from UM's post-spring portal cycle. And announcement coming A six-pack of Miami Hurricanes notes as the football transfer portal activity begins to slow (players can still be signed, but nobody new can enter the portal): ▪ Unlike last spring, the Canes did not land every portal player that visited campus in April and early May. Miami, in particular, would have loved to acquire All-Big 12 safety AJ Haulcy (who picked LSU despite being wined and dined by the Canes) and defensive tackle Braxton Feely, who opted to stay at Boise State. Since spring ended, the Canes did not add an elite starting safety, a veteran defensive tackle or a clear-cut No. 1 wide receiver (Syracuse slot player Trebor Pena, who was arguably the best receiver in the portal, visited Miami but opted for Penn State). It would have made a very good offseason an extraordinary one if a second top safety (besides Zechariah Poyser) or No. 1 receiver had been added. But in UM's defense, second portal cycle options at those positions were very limited; the Canes landed a pretty good safety in Jakoby Thomas and two solid receivers in Keelan Marion and Tony Johnson. And overall, this group of seven post-spring additions is a very good one, filling needs at receiver, linebacker, kicker and the defensive backfield. ranks UM among eight winners in the post-spring portal cycle after adding receivers Marion (BYU) and Johnson (Cincinnati), North Carolina State linebacker Kamal Bonner, Tennessee safety Thomas, Houston cornerback/safety Keionte Scott, North Dakota State running back CharMar Brown and kicker Bert Auburn. Auburn gives the Canes a generally reliable kicker who was very good in 2023 and not quite as good last year, but still the best possible option to replace NFL-bound Andres Borregales. Marion and Scott give UM accomplished returners who once led their conferences in kickoff and punt return averages, respectively. Here's how assessed UM's portal efforts: 'Similar to a year ago with Cam Ward, Miami focused much of its winter portal efforts on a quarterback. The Hurricanes pulled off a stunner in January, landing Carson Beck, who passed on the NFL draft for the portal. Miami has worked this spring on surrounding Beck with talent, bringing in two new wide receivers in Marion and Johnson. Marion was a second-team All-Big 12 pick as a kick returner after taking back 18 kicks for 472 yards and two touchdowns last season, too. 'Miami was also able to land Brown, who appeared set to land at Cal until the Hurricanes made a final-hour move to land the Jerry Rice Award winner. The North Dakota State running back closed out 2024 with 1,183 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns. Reshaping the secondary was a priority for new defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman.' If you include the prespring portal additions, this transfer class deserves an A or A-, on paper. That group includes Beck, ex-LSU receiver CJ Daniels, ex-Tulane tight end Alex Bauman; UAB tight end Jack Nickel; center James Brockermeyer; Louisiana Tech defensive tackle David Blay; cornerbacks Xavier Lucas (Wisconsin) and Ethan O'Connor (Washington State) and Charles Brantley (Michigan State); cornerback Emmanuel Karnley (the Arizona transfer then left UM in April); former Jacksonville State safety Poyser; ex-Charlotte long snapper Adam Booker and erstwhile FAU kicker Carter Davis. Finding an accomplished starting quarterback and several good defensive backs in the portal - plus a starting center and starting defensive lineman — makes this a successful Canes offseason by any measure. ▪ Because there simply wasn't an elite No. 1 boundary receiver in the portal, there's as much uncertainty about who will earn a top-four receiver spots as any offseason I can remember. Jojo Trader, who was injured late in spring practice, is a likely starter if he's healthy. Daniels (LSU's No. 4 receiver) and Marion (24 catches, 346 yards, TD last season have a legitimate chance to win the other boundary job, with Ny Carr, Joshua Moore and Dylan Upshaw competing. Johnson (48 receptions), 449 yards and six TDs last season is the front-runner in the slot, but explosive freshman Malachi Toney needs to play — inside or outside — and Ray Ray Joseph had a solid spring. ▪ UM's inability to find a veteran tackle from a weak crop of postspring portal options (Blay stayed at Boise; UCF's Bernard Gooden picked LSU) creates a big opportunity for freshman Donta Simpson and Daylen Russell to earn snaps as a No. 4 tackle. Probably the more likely scenario is one of the top ends (Rueben Bain Jr., Akheem Mesidor, Armondo Blount) moving inside on passing downs and UM giving more edge snaps to Blount or Malik Bryant or to young players Hayden Lowe, Marquise Lightfoot, Booker Pickett or Cole McConathy. ▪ Bonner, who was productive in seven starts for North Carolina State, becomes the front-runner to start opposite Wesley Bissainthe, but I wouldn't discount Raul Aguirre or Jaylin Alderman. Alderman was a productive starter for Louisville in 2023 and Aguirre repeatedly flashes. Chase Smith and Bobby Pruitt could become factors. UM also is awaiting a decision from Rutgers linebacker Mohamed Toure, who was exceptional in 2023 (94 tackles, 9.5 for loss, 4.5 sacks) but missed 2022 and 2024 with separate ACL tears. North Carolina, Penn State and Indiana also have been pursuing Toure. ▪ Beyond Feely and Pena, UM's other spring portal visitors who ended up elsewhere were defensive backs — Haulcy, UF's Gregory Smith (picked North Carolina), Colorado cornerback Colton Hood (chose Tennessee), UCF cornerback Brent Austin (chose Cal), Kansas State's Noah King (picked Colorado). Though Haulcy was a priority, some of the others weren't high priorities after UM made inroads with Thomas and Scott. Thomas will battle Markeith Williams and Dylan Day to start opposite Poyser. Scott, who was a productive slot corner for Auburn two years ago, will compete with Damari Brown and Brantley for snaps in nickel packages. He can also play safety and boundary cornerback, but is best in the slot. ▪ Offensive tackle Jackson Cantwell, the No. 1 prep prospect in the 2026 class, is expected to pick his school on Tuesday, and Miami, Georgia and Oregon are the top contenders. The 6-7, 300-pound Cantwell, who attends high school in Nixa, Missouri, visited UM in the spring and will visit Georgia on Saturday.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
NFL Draft 2025: Everything you need to know about quarterback Cam Ward, the No. 1 overall pick
NFL Draft 2025: Everything you need to know about quarterback Cam Ward, the No. 1 overall pick With the 2025 NFL Draft here, one of the biggest quarterback names on the board is Cam Ward, the former Miami star who went No. 1 to the Tennessee Titans. Yahoo Sports' mock draft had Ward going as the first overall pick. Here are five things to know about the future NFL quarterback: Ward transferred to Miami after time at Washington State and Incarnate Word Ward landed with the Hurricanes ahead of the 2024 season, but before then, he spent time at two other schools. Ward started his college career with Incarnate Word, a Texas-based Catholic school that plays in the Southland Conference. The quarterback made a statement during his two years there, earning multiple conference honors and winning the Jerry Rice Award as the country's standout freshman. In 2022, Ward transferred to Washington State, spending two seasons with the Cougars. Although he initially declared for the NFL Draft after his senior year, he walked it back to transfer to Miami, using his fifth year (because of COVID-19) to have a stellar 2024 season. Ward was a Heisman finalist Ward was one of four finalists for the Heisman Trophy, and was considered one of the top quarterbacks throughout the season. Although the award eventually went to two-way player Travis Hunter, Ward still ended up with plenty of accolades for his 2024 season. The quarterback was named the ACC's Player of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year, and he took home the 2024 Manning Award, given to the best quarterback in the country. Ward led the nation in passing touchdowns Ward's reputation as one of the top passers in the country last season was backed up by his stats. The QB led the nation in passing touchdowns last year, tossing 39 across the regular season and postseason. He was second in passing yards (4,313) and passing yards per game (331.77) behind Syracuse's Kyle McCord. Though some have criticized this year's quarterback class as weak, Ward has risen above that for a reason. The quarterback is a highly creative playmaker with the ability to think on his feet and think outside the box. Though his completion percentage is not as high, his production and his QB rating (171.1) back that up. Ward set the Division I passing touchdown record Ward also secured his name in the history books this season by setting a new Division I record for passing touchdowns. The quarterback broke the passing record partway through the Pop-Tarts Bowl, throwing to Jacolby George in the first half to earn his 156th career TD and pass former Houston quarterback Case Keenum. With the record complete, Ward then sat out the rest of the game, seemingly to keep himself draft-ready. The move drew criticism as Miami lost the game to Iowa State, 42-41. Ward's been pretty sure where he's going to end up For the past several months, it was clear that Ward would go first overall. He seemed to be pretty sure about that as well, hinting at the possibility on more than one occasion. The week before the draft, Ward notably mentioned Titans running backs Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears as two of the best in the NFL while on a gaming stream. He made it clear that he wanted to be in Tennessee. That feeling was reciprocal as the Titans have pulled out all of the stops for Ward, with the brass taking him out for dinner ahead of his pro day and hosting an additional private workout.
