Miami Hurricanes add late pickup for 2026 that addresses major roster question mark
The Miami Hurricanes weren’t done adding to pieces this offseason for another playoff run in 2026.
The Miami Hurricanes just missed out on their first national championship since 2001, falling 27-21 to the Indiana Hoosiers in the College Football Playoff national championship game.
Miami rode a road-grading offensive line and a nasty, physical defense through the playoff, defeating Texas A&M, Ohio State, and Ole Miss to reach the season’s final game.
How good will those units be in 2026, particularly their offensive line, after some significant roster turnover? All five starters are gone on the o-line, with Francis Mauigoa all but a lock to be a top 10-12 draft pick in less than two weeks. Miami has incoming five-star Jackson Cantwell, who is likely to take over at one tackle spot. However, the other one is unsettled.
Mario Cristobal might have just found a solution one week before spring football concludes in Coral Gables. Junior college offensive tackle Jacob Hawks committed to the Hurricanes on Saturday.
Miami lands commitment from JUCO OT Jacob Hawks
Hawks is an appropriate last name, as at 6-9, 335 pounds, he has quite the wingspan. He played his high school football in Topeka, Kansas and played last season at left tackle for Hutchinson Community College. He started every game and helped HCC reach the JUCO national title game.
The tools are undoubtedly there, as Hawks has the length and size for OL coach Alex Mirabal to potentially mold into a difference maker on Miami’s line. The Hurricanes also managed to get previous starting LT Markel Bell from the junior college ranks, and the big tackle turned into a crucial part of Miami’s offense for their playoff run last year.
The hope for Miami fans is that Hawks is the next great JUCO-to-Coral Gables success story for the Canes.