The sting of January 19, 2026 still burns. Miami fell 27-21 to Indiana in the College Football Playoff National Championship at Hard Rock Stadium – a heartbreaker that saw Fernando Mendoza, a Miami native who was never recruited by the Hurricanes, lead the Hoosiers to their first-ever national title on our home turf. Carson Beck’s late interception to Jamari Sharpe, another Miami kid playing for the enemy, sealed a loss that will haunt Coral Gables for years to come.
It was Miami’s first appearance
in a national championship game since 2002, and it ended the same way the 2003 Fiesta Bowl did – in agony, with what-ifs.
But even as we process the pain of coming so close yet falling short, there’s a silver lining written across NFL rosters nationwide: 27 ProCanes currently suit up on Sundays (with several others on practice squads or reserves), a testament to the players who bled orange and green through the darkest days of Miami football and kept the legacy going. These are the guys who committed to The U when the program was mired in mediocrity, who stuck with the Canes through coaching changes and recruiting droughts, and who helped build the foundation for the program’s return to national relevance.
From 2003 to 2024, Miami went 169-108 while cycling through seven head coaches. The program that once set an NFL record with 149 consecutive weeks of a ProCane scoring a touchdown (2002-2011) watched that streak end as the talent pipeline slowed. But Mario Cristobal’s arrival in December 2021 has reignited the ProCane production line, and nowhere is that more evident than the sheer number of former Hurricanes thriving at the next level.
As we approach the end of the 2026 NFL season on this Conference Championship Sunday, let’s celebrate the ProCanes who bought into the Miami way during the tough times and are now representing The U on the biggest stage.
The Franchise Quarterback
Let’s start with 2025 number one overall pick Cam Ward, who has been thrown into a difficult situation in Tennessee. Ward finished his rookie campaign a 59.8% completion percentage, throwing for 3,169 yards including 15 touchdowns but 7 interceptions, while flashing on numerous occasions. The Titans hired head coach Robert Saleh on Monday Night during the College Football Championship, which should thrill Ward. News on offensive coordinator still looms.
Ward set the tone last year after leading Miami to the No. 1 offense in the nation and many question whether the Canes could have finished the job if Ward was at the helm this season. He spent just one year in Coral Gables but bought into Cristobal’s vision completely, turning down NFL money to chase a championship with the Hurricanes (and that paid dividends as he was selected first overall). Though the title fell short, Ward’s legacy as one of the greatest single-season performances in Miami history is secure.
Fun fact: Before Ward threw an NFL TD this year, the last ProCanes to throw TD passes in the NFL were Braxton Berrios to Zach Wilson on October 2, 2022 and Pat O’Donnell on a fake punt to Benny Cunningham on October 2, 2017. The last Miami Hurricane QB to throw an NFL TD before Ward was Vinny Testaverde on December 2, 2007.
QB Cam Ward (Tennessee Titans): 17 games, 59.8% completion percentage, 3,169 passing yards, 15 TDs, 7 INTs, 159 rushing yards, 2 TDs.
The Defensive Stalwarts
On the other side of the football, 18-year veteran Calais Campbell started all 17 games for the Arizona Cardinals and is still as effective as ever, compiling 43 tackles, including 6.5 sacks, 9 TFLs, and 16 QB hits. Campbell played at Miami from 2004-2007 during the Larry Coker/Randy Shannon transition years, when the program was still riding the talent from the dynasty era but starting to slip. He stuck with The U through coaching uncertainty and has built a Hall of Fame-caliber NFL career. It is unclear if his career continues as he approaches age 40.
A number of other defensive players have carved out key roles on their teams, many of whom committed to Miami during the program’s wilderness years under Al Golden, Mark Richt, and Manny Diaz:
CB Michael Jackson (Carolina Panthers): Jackson signed with Miami in 2014 under Al Golden, when the Hurricanes were coming off a 6-7 season and facing NCAA sanctions. He’s now a key piece of Carolina’s secondary with 17 games and is a turnover machine, compiling career highs across all major areas this season: 4 INTs, 19 PD, and 54 tackles.
DE Al-Quadin Muhammad (Detroit Lions): Muhammad signed with Miami in 2013 and played during some of Miami’s most turbulent years. He’s now thriving in Detroit and has developed into a sack machine, recording 11.0 sacks (tied for 11th across the NFL) as well as 9 TFLs and 25 tackles.
S Rayshawn Jenkins (Cleveland Browns): Jenkins committed to Al Golden’s 2013 class and played through the transition to Mark Richt. Jenkins had been a regular starter and captain for the Chargers and Jaguars early in his career but now is more of a role player for Cleveland, starting in only three games this season, but he did have 1 INT and 45 tackles this year.
S Kamren Kinchens (Los Angeles Rams): Kinchens committed to Manny Diaz’s 2020 class when Miami was 8-3 and trending upward, only to watch the program go 7-5 in 2021 before Diaz was fired. Kinchens was a stud right off the bat for the Canes as a freshman, earning All-American honors in 2022 and he’s now a mainstay for the Rams – one of the four remaining teams. Kinchens has six INTs over his first two seasons (two this year), and has improved his tackling prowess recording 84 tackles this year.
DE Jaelan Phillips (Miami Dolphins/Philadelphia Eagles): Phillips transferred to Miami for the 2019 season under Manny Diaz after medically retiring from UCLA. Despite being plagued with injuries throughout his collegiate and NFL career, he was healthy this year and showed what he’s capable of by gathering 53 tackles, 5.0 sacks, and 7 TFLs. Phillips was traded midseason from the Dolphins to a stout Eagles defense.
DE Greg Rousseau (Buffalo Bills): Rousseau played just two seasons at Miami (2018-2019) under Manny Diaz before opting out of the 2020 COVID season and declaring for the draft. One of the bigger what-ifs in recent Miami lore is how insane Phillips and Rousseau would have looked together, but Miami fans got to see a lethal EDGE duo this year in Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor. And they should emulate it next year too. He’s been a steady contributor in Buffalo with 16 games, 2 PD, 7.0 sacks, and 46 tackles.
LB Kiko Mauigoa (New York Jets): Mauigoa signed with Cristobal’s first recruiting class in 2022 and just completed his college eligibility in 2025 before getting drafted last year. Kiko is already carving out a role with the Jets playing in 12 games and gathering 45 tackles. His brother, Francis, played a key role for Miami all season and should be a top ten pick.
CB Tyrique Stevenson (Chicago Bears): Stevenson transferred to Miami from Georgia for the 2021 season under Diaz, stayed through Cristobal’s first year in 2022, and has developed into a key piece of Chicago’s secondary with 13 games, 1 INT, 2 FR, and 49 tackles.
Rookie DE Tyler Baron (New York Jets) transferred to Miami for the 2024 season and was part of last year’s team. He’s handling a situational role with 6 games and 9 tackles.
Veteran LB Denzel Perryman (Los Angeles Chargers) signed with Al Golden in 2011 and played through the NCAA sanctions era. He’s appeared in 10 games with 47 tackles and 4 TFLs.
DT Leonard Taylor (New England Patriots) was a highly recruited five star under Manny Diaz’s system. The undrafted free agent has taken some time to develop but Lenny T. (as Patriots coach Mike Vrabel calls him) has been elevated from the practice squad to New England’s playoff roster.
DBs Deon Bush (Kansas City Chiefs) and Artie Burns (Miami Dolphins) both suffered season-ending injuries during the offseason. Bush signed in 2012 under Golden, while Burns committed in 2013. DB DJ Ivey (Cincinnati Bengals), S James Williams (Tennessee Titans) and DT Jonathan Ford (Green Bay Packers) also has been more involved on defense, on top of his special teams coverage.
Defensive Stats Summary
- DE Calais Campbell (Arizona Cardinals): 17 games, 43 tackles, 6.5 sacks, 9 TFLs, 16 QB hits
- CB Michael Jackson (Detroit Lions): 17 games, 4 INT, 19 PD, 68 tackles
- S Rayshawn Jenkins (Cleveland Browns): 17 games, 1 INT, 1 FR, 45 tackles
- DE Al-Quadin Muhammad (Detroit Lions): 17 games, 11.0 sacks, 20 QB hits, 9 TFLs, 25 tackles
- S Kamren Kinchens (Los Angeles Rams): 17 games, 2 INT, 84 tackles
- DE Jaelan Phillips (Miami Dolphins): 17 games, 53 tackles, 5.0 sacks, 7 TFLs
- LB Kiko Mauigoa (New York Jets): 12 games, 45 tackles
- DE Greg Rousseau (Buffalo Bills): 16 games, 2 PD, 7.0 sacks, 46 tackles
- CB Tyrique Stevenson (Chicago Bears): 13 games, 1 INT, 2 FR, 49 tackles
- DE Tyler Baron (New York Jets): 6 games, 9 tackles
- LB Denzel Perryman (Los Angeles Chargers): 10 games, 47 tackles, 4 TFLs
Offensive Weapons
Offensively beyond Ward, there are a few players who have been solid this season:
Rookies OG Jalen Rivers (Cincinnati Bengals) and TE Elijah Arroyo (Seattle Seahawks) have been regular contributors early in their career. Rivers signed with Cristobal in 2021 and played 16 games already for Cincinnati, while Arroyo transferred in for the 2022 season and has 13 games played, with 15 receptions, 179 receiving yards, and a TD. Despite having injuries this season, Arroyo is ready to go today in the NFC Conference Championship.
Veteran TE David Njoku (Cleveland Browns) has been one of the only reliable fixtures in Cleveland with 12 games, 33 receptions, 293 receiving yards, and four touchdowns. Njoku signed with Al Golden in 2014 and played just one season (2015) before declaring for the draft as a true sophomore – a testament to the talent Miami was producing even during down years.
WR Xavier Restrepo went undrafted last year and spent much of the season on the practice squad before getting the call up midseason. He only played two games but had three receptions and 41 yards before suffering an ankle injury. He signed with Diaz in 2020, became one of Cristobal’s most reliable weapons, and caught passes in pivotal moments. He was a security blanket for Ward in Miami and could help him with that Tennessee disaster.
Other young tight ends Brevin Jordan (Houston Texans) and Will Mallory (Indianapolis Colts) have been hampered by injuries this year and have been limited. Jordan signed with Mark Richt in 2018, while Mallory came in with Diaz in 2019. Both stuck with The U through coaching changes and are now fighting for NFL roster spots but carried on the TEU torch into the 2020’s.
Offensive Stats Summary
- QB Cam Ward (Tennessee Titans): 17 games, 59.8% completion percentage, 3,169 passing yards, 15 TDs, 7 INTs, 159 rushing yards, 2 TDs
- RG Jalen Rivers (Cincinnati Bengals): 16 games, 7 GS
- TE Elijah Arroyo (Seattle Seahawks): 13 games, 15 receptions, 179 receiving yards, 1 TD
- TE David Njoku (Cleveland Browns): 12 games, 33 receptions, 293 receiving yards, 4 TD
- WR Xavier Restrepo (Tennessee Titans): 2 games, 3 receptions, 41 yards
Special Teams Specialists
On special teams, rookie kicker Andy Borregales (New England Patriots) had a case of the yips early on in the season but has proved reliable, drilling 53 of his 55 extra points (96.4%) and 27-of-32 on field goals (84.4%), including a 52-yard game winner and a season-long 59-yarder. Borregales signed with Diaz in 2020 following in his brother’s, Jose, footsteps and stayed through Cristobal’s arrival, becoming one of the most clutch kickers in Miami history before taking his talents to New England. Borregales will look to boot it Denver today.
Veteran punter Pat O’Donnell and kicker Michael Badgley were picked up midseason by the Arizona Cardinals and Indianapolis Colts/Buffalo Bills, respectively, but were both released during the season. O’Donnell signed with Al Golden in 2010 and punted through the sanctions era, while Badgley walked on under Golden in 2013.
Former all-pro return specialist Braxton Berrios is also seeing action at punt returner for the Houston Texans. Berrios signed with Golden in 2014 and became one of Miami’s most electric playmakers during the post-dynasty, pre-Cristobal years, paving the way as a reliable slot receiver. He had six receptions for 37 yards, and six returns over four games, in dealing with an injury.
Special Teams Stats Summary
- K Andy Borregales (New England Patriots): 17 games, 53-55 XP, 27-32 FG, 59 long
- P Pat O’Donnell (Arizona Cardinals): 5 games, 12 punts, 42.2 yard average
- K Michael Badgley (Indianapolis Colts/Buffalo Bills): 9 games, 11-12 field goals, 20-25 extra points
- PR Braxton Berrios (Houston Texans): 3 punt returns, 25 yards (8.3 average), 3 kick returns, 81 yards (27.0 average), 6 receptions, 37 yards
Special Teams Contributors:
- ST DJ Ivey (Cincinnati Bengals)
- ST James Williams (Tennessee Titans)
- ST Matt Lee (Cincinnati Bengals)
- ST DeeJay Dallas (Jacksonville Jaguars)
- ST Travis Homer (Chicago Bears)
The Practice Squad Pipeline
A number of ProCanes are also on practice squads, awaiting their opportunity to break through:
- CB Jaden Davis (Arizona Cardinals)
- WR Phillip Dorsett II (Las Vegas Raiders)
- DT Leonard Taylor III (New England Patriots)
- CB Daryl Porter (Pittsburgh Steelers)
- CB Jaden Davis (Arizona Cardinals)
- CB Te’Cory Couch (Buffalo Bills)
- DE Jonathan Garvin (Chicago Bears)
- RB Damien Martinez (Green Bay Packers)
- DT Anthony Campbell (Green Bay Packers)
The Miami Way Lives On
Despite the heartbreak of losing the national championship at home, despite watching Fernando Mendoza – a kid from Miami Gardens who should’ve been wearing orange and green – lead Indiana to the title, despite Carson Beck’s late interception that will replay in our nightmares for years, the ProCanes prove one undeniable truth: Miami still produces NFL talent.
These NFL players committed to The U during sanctions, coaching changes, losing seasons, and national irrelevance. They bought in when it wasn’t easy, when Miami wasn’t cool, when the dynasty felt like ancient history. They stayed loyal to the orange and green when they could’ve transferred, when they could’ve chased easier paths to championships.
And now, as Cristobal had Miami back on the doorstep of greatness, these ProCanes represent what it means to be a Hurricane: toughness, loyalty, and an unshakeable belief that The U brotherhood will rise again.
The 2026 championship fell short and players like Bain, Francis Mauigoa, Akheem Mesidor, Keionte Scott, Jakobe Thomas, James Brockermeyer, Markel Bell, CJ Daniels, Carson Beck, and others represent the next crop of ProCanes. And with Malachi Toney returning (projected as the 2028 WR1 in some early mock drafts), Mark Fletcher Jr. back in the backfield, and Cristobal’s recruiting machine firing on all cylinders, the Canes aren’t going anywhere.
The ProCanes proved it on Sundays. The current Canes proved it by making the national championship. And the future Canes will prove it again.
The U is back. And this time, we finish the job.
