Under head coach Mario Cristobal and his longtime friend/right hand man/offensive line coach Alex Mirabal, the Miami Hurricanes have had a focus on making elite OL play one of the bedrocks of the program. Heading into year 4 for Cristobal, that vision has become reality, and the Canes will have one of the best OL groups in the country.
In 2024, Miami had the #1 offense in the country. Yes, that was thanks in large part to #1 overall NFL Draft Pick Cam Ward, but the OL was also elite across the entire
season, and gave Ward and the offensive skill players time and space to operate.
Departures
Gone from last year’s OL are LT/LG Jalen Rivers and C Zach Carpenter. Rivers was honorable mention All-ACC in 2024, but would have placed higher if not for missing 5 games with injury. He played in 38 games in his Miami career, and was a standout at both Guard and Tackle. He’s moved on to the Cincinnati Bengals, and will fight for a roster spot.
A transfer from Indiana, Carpenter stepped into the starting Center role seamlessly as a 5th year senior with the Canes in 2024. He also earned honorable mention All-ACC placement, and he was invited to rookie mini-camp with the Miami Dolphins.
Starters
In my mind, there’s a easy, set-it-and-forget-it starting 5 for the Canes OL in 2025.
LT Markel Bell, LG Matthew McCoy, C James Brockemeyer, RG Anez Cooper, and RT Francis Mauigoa.
Bell is a 6’9” 340lb monster at LT. He transferred in from JUCO, and immediately stepped into a big role when Rivers went down with injury. Bell was good enough in that stint that the staff made the move to rotate Rivers between LT and LG, to continue to give Bell snaps.
McCoy started the year behind Ryan Rodriguez, but stepped into the starting LG role after Rodriguez was injured in the opener at Florida and never looked back. He’s big, physical, and has immense potential. He’s the nailed-on starter here IMO.
Brockermeyer is a transfer, having spent time at Alabama and TCU (in that order) before landing at Miami this year. He’s the 3rd consecutive transfer C, following Matt Lee and Zach Carpenter. Miami likely has the C of the future on the roster from last recruiting class, but Brockermeyer will anchor the pivot this season.
Cooper has started since day 1, and is among the biggest recruiting and development gems that Cristobal and Mirabal have had. A 3 star tackle recruit from Alabama, Cooper was well over 400lbs when he arrived at Miami (Cristoball called it “moon pounds”, saying Cooper was in the 420s or 430s at his ACC Media days presser this year). Since enrolling, Cooper has reshaped his body into the 340s, and has become one of the best interior linemen in the country. Like Rivers and Carpenter, Cooper was honorable mention All-ACC a year ago. I fully expect 1st or 2nd team all-Conference play from him this year.
Last but definitely not least, the superstar on the OL is junior RT Francis Mauigoa. A former 5-star recruit, he has started every game of the last 2 years next to classmate Cooper, making a formidable tandem on the right side. Mauigoa was 2nd team All-ACC a year ago, and figures to be in line for 1st team honors this year. He’s on nearly every award watchlist, and has been routinely placed in the 1st round of early NFL mock drafts. Enjoy this swansong season from one of the best linemen in the country.
Reserves
This OL group is obviously led by the starting 5, a group that is on the short list for best in the country. Beyond those players, there is a wealth of depth and potential for the future.
At Tackle, former 5-star Samson Okunlola continues to wait his turn in the starting lineup. An injury cut his freshman season short in 2023, and he’s continued to develop his body to prepare him for playing time ever since. Tommy Kinsler is another big bodied lineman who can play both Tackle and Guard.
At Guard, Ryan Rodriguez has plenty of experience, and would be the first guy off the bench. Juan Minaya and Nino Francavilla are additional options on the interior.
Freshmen
As per usual, Miami added plenty of talent in the 2025 recruiting class. On the OL, those players are Seuseu “SJ” Alofaituli, the best interior OL in the country and the likely Center of the future. Max Buchanan is a nice guard option with plenty of potential. Demetrius Campbell and Jayden Wilkerson are 6’6” 300+lb players who played Tackle in HS. They may both be better fits at Guard in College, especially when you consider the fact that Miami’s 2026 Offensive Tackle class is the best in the country, highlighted by the #1 overall player in the country, 5-star OT Jackson Cantwell.
Overall outlook
Miami’s coaches have a reputation for recruiting and developing great offensive line units. This year’s group for the Canes should be no different. To my eye, it’s on the very short list (top 3 at worst) for best OL group in the country. I fully expect Miami’s OL to be a foundational group to great success this year, and I can’t wait to see them dominate opposing teams week in and week out.
