So, I was listening to a recent episode of the Domonique Foxworth podcast, and he had football analyst Ben Solak on the show. During the conversation, Solak said something that really made me think:
In short, Solak said that the real test of a team’s championship depth is evaluating the quality of the 3rd best player on both sides of the ball. Sure, it was NFL-centric, but I think the point of evaluation stands. It’s easy to know the star QB and maybe OL or skill player on offense, and a stud edge
rusher and cornerback on defense….but who’s the NEXT player on the list? The more the 3rd player on either side of the ball is a household name/top player, the better the team’s championship depth.
Obviously, the previous conversation was NFL-centric, but let’s take that structure and apply it to the Canes.
Offensive Star Players
If we’re starting with the top of the list, it’s pretty easy in my opinion: QB Darian Mensah and WR Malachi Toney. Boom done. Moving on.
The conversation about championship depth begins now. For this, I’m not looking down the line for who WILL BE the best (Jackson Cantwell), I’m looking at who IS CURRENTLY the best, and will help Miami compete for championships.
After Mensah and Toney, the next group of players on offense for this season is pretty clear to me: RB Mark Fletcher Jr. and WR Cooper Barkate.
Fletcher Jr. was the catalyst in the run game in the College Football Playoffs that led Miami to the National Championship game last year, and Barkate was 2nd in the ACC for receiving yardage (behind Malachi Toney) and was Mensah’s top target at Duke. For me, I’d go Fletcher Jr. then Barkate as the next best players on Miami’s offense in that order, and be pretty happy about it, too.
This isn’t to say there aren’t other players who could be the 3rd best player on Miami’s offense by the end of the year. WR Joshua Moore is incredibly talented. I already mentioned Jackson Cantwell, who figures to step in and start at Left Tackle right away. And, Matthew McCoy and Samson Okunlola were both blue chip recruits who have tons of starting experience along Miami’s offensive line, and could be the 3rd best player on the offense next year (though unlikely).
If we’re looking purely at star power/top of the roster status, Fletcher Jr. and Barkate lead the way. Both of them are very, very good college players, and give Miami the championship contending depth on this side of the ball that they need.
In a weird twist, Miami’s offensive line (and tight ends, but don’t get me started on them) has open questions heading into 2026. There’s tons of talent, highlighted by #1 overall recruit Jackson Cantwell and former 5-star Okunlola, returning starter McCoy, and Georgia transfer Jamal Meriweather, along with other blue chip recruits who are pushing for playing time. But, the new group needs to show their prowess together on the field this fall.
With a top line trio of Mensah, Toney, and whichever of Fletcher Jr. and Barkate you like, I believe Miami does have the talent on the roster right now to compete for championships this season.
Defensive Star Players
Unlike the offensive side of the ball, I think the star players on defense are more open for debate and discussion for the 2026 Miami Hurricanes.
One nailed on star player is EDGE Damon Wilson II. The Georgia and Missouri transfer has the combination of size, strength, pedigree, and performance to step in for the departed duo of Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor to provide Miami with another elite edge rusher to affect the run and disrupt the pass.
After Wilson II, there are many candidates for the next best players on Miami’s defense. DTs Ahmad Moten Sr and Justin Scott are in the conversation, along with CBs O.J. Frederique and Xavier Lucas.
At this point in time, I think the clear #2 player on defense is Ahmad Moten Sr. His development has been exponential since he arrived on campus several years ago, and he was as good as Bain and Mesidor through the college football playoffs. With another year of development and performance in the same (or similar) trajectory as we’ve seen tot his point, Moten Sr. could be the best defensive tackle in the country. Full stop. He’s *THAT* good.
Behind Wilson II and Moten Sr., you can choose your own #3 player. Justin Scott is a monster who has flashed elite talent and performance in his 2 years at Miami, but needs to add consistency to his game. Frederique was a Freshman All-American in 2024 and is one of the best corners in the country. And Lucas is a very talented player who has flown a bit under the radar because people are still focused on Wisconsin not doing their duty to enter his name in the transfer portal more than a year ago.
No matter who you choose, a trio of Wilson II, Moten Sr. and (insert player here) is unquestionably enough high end talent for Miami to compete for championships this year.
Now, this is just one way to look at things. Of course, the overall talent on the roster matters. The schedule matters. Injuries (God forbid) matter. And the list goes on.
But, I like the “who’s your 3rd best player” prism to evaluate teams, and like many other evaluative metrics, Miami passes with flying colors.
