The 2026 Miami Hurricanes have a 2001 Miami Hurricanes problem, and it could be an amazing sight this year
The Hurricanes are loaded at a position in a way they haven’t been in perhaps a quarter of a century.
It’s been a quarter of a century since the Miami Hurricanes brought home their last football national championship, although they came within a whisker of pulling off the feat six months ago.
They’re well stocked to take another run at it this year, with Darian Mensah, Cooper Barkate, Damon Wilson II, Omar Thornton, and a host of other new additions set to help the Hurricanes push for the program’s elusive sixth national championship.
Speaking of 25 years ago, the university will honor the 25th anniversary of the 2001 national championship team this year. The school will give out replica 2001 national championship rings to season ticket holders.
But things could actually look kind of 2001-ish on the field for the Canes this fall as well, and that has to do with who’s coming back from last year. Miami’s running back room brings everyone back from its loaded 2025 roster, as well as adding a bright new talent as well.
Miami’s 2026 running back room could give off reminders of the Hurricanes’ uber-deep 2001 group
The Hurricanes will be paced again by Mark Fletcher, Jr. The 6-2, 225-pound bulldozer set the College Football Playoff single season rushing record with 507 yards last year. He totaled 1192 yards on 216 carries with 12 touchdowns.
CharMar “Marty” Brown did a great job as the Canes’ second option off the bench. Surehanded with the ball and a strong pass blocker, Brown helped finish off games, including Miami’s 24-14 win over Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl. He finished with 602 all purpose yards and nine touchdowns.
Jordan Lyle started off the season as the starter before an injury in the opener against Notre Dame gave way to Fletcher taking over an expanded role. Lyle brings elite speed and quickness, as does Girard Pringle, who Miami managed to keep from leaving via the portal. Add in the dynamic local true freshman Javian Mallory, and the room is absolutely loaded, with versatile skillsets offering offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson a bevy of game plan options.
The 2001 room featured Clinton Portis, Willis McGahee, Najeh Davenport, and Frank Gore. Massive NFL horsepower. And I’m not saying this 2026 group has that same horsepower. But it’s hard to ignore just how ridiculously talented the entire group is as a whole.