Despite the loss, Miami Hurricanes pulled off a huge accomplishment that they’ve been trying to do for two decades

Despite the outcome, Miami proved to the recruits in South Florida that there’s no need to leave home to play for a championship-level program.

Craig Smith — College Football & NFL Trending News Writer
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The Miami Hurricanes had an opportunity they could only dream about. From the last team in the field, their run to the College Football Playoff national championship game was magical, and it took them right back to their own home stadium for a chance at their sixth national title.

Unfortunately, that dream died late on Monday night when a deep pass from Carson Beck was intercepted with 44 seconds left by Jamari Sharpe deep in Hoosier territory, and Indiana kneeled out a 27-21 win to complete an undefeated season and claim their first national title.

It’s a brutal end to a storybook tale for the Hurricanes over the last two months. From the outside looking in, the Hurricanes stormed to life and made a November run to sneak in the playoff as the No. 10 seed. They then ripped off three straight wins over No. 7 Texas A&M, No. 2 Ohio State, and No. 6 Ole Miss to reach the championship game.

And despite the loss, Miami showed to the recruits in South Florida that they’re a championship level program.

Miami proved to South Florida recruits exactly why they should stay home and play for Miami

The Hurricanes have missed out over the last two decades on some of region’s best players. Nick Saban would come in and pluck the best players in the region for Alabama. Patrick Surtain II. Calvin Ridley. Dallas Turner.

Ohio State, of course, stole Jeremiah Smith from Chaminade-Madonna right out of Miami’s backyard. The Buckeye star even said before the Cotton Bowl that, had Miami been where they are now back on early signing day in 2023, he likely would have gone there.

Well, there’s little doubt that Miami is every bit on Ohio State’s level, particularly after defeating the Buckeyes 24-14 in the CFP quarterfinal in Arlington this year.

And the Hurricanes’ homegrown talent shined on the national stage on Monday night. Rueben Bain, Jr. had a sack and 2.5 tackles for loss and was his usual disruptive self. Malachi Toney had a massive day with 10 catches for 122 yards and a touchdown. Wesley Bissainthe finished his Miami career with eight tackles and was flying all over the field. And Mark Fletcher, Jr. continued his incredible playoff run with 17 carries for 112 yards and two touchdowns.

South Florida kids went out and starred for the hometown team on the sport’s biggest stage. That was always going to be a big step to get kids to stay home. After all, Miami has no problem with money. And if Mario Cristobal can help keep those South Florida stars at home — keep them in the state of Miami, as Howard Schnellenberger used to stay — then this should only be the start of a terrific period in Miami football history.

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