Latest intel on the Miami Hurricanes that Notre Dame football fans will want to know heading into their Week One matchup 

Latest Miami Hurricane Intel heading into their Week One matchup against Notre Dame

Ryan Roberts — National College Football Writer
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We are just 20 days, less than three weeks (!), away from Notre Dame football opening up the 2025 college football season against the Miami Hurricanes. These two programs have developed a strong rivalry in their history, and you can bet there will be some “Catholics vs Convicts” shirts being worn down in Hard Rock Stadium on August 31st. 

With fall camp open for both teams, there is a lot that is being learned about each squad heading into the matchup over the next couple of weeks. As is typically the case, the media availability is always going to be somewhat limited. Each program is going to want to be a bit secretive, and not give away too much to their own media, and especially to their opponent. 

While Fighting Irish fans are getting to know their 2025 Notre Dame team as much as possible, it’s equally as important to understand what Miami is also bringing to the table. In order to give as much context as possible for the matchup, I’ve spent the last several days talking to as many people around the program as possible. While I’ll never be privy to all of the inside scoop, or even close to all of it, I still did get a lot of interesting tidbits. 

Here’s what I learned about the Hurricanes. 

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  • The conversation, of course, is always going to center around the quarterback. Former Georgia signal caller Carson Back is back healthy from the elbow injury, and I’m told that he has been throwing the football well. His arm mobility has been good, and he has been able to throw with his typical velocity, and from different arm angles with no issue. Health should not be a concern heading into that matchup.  
  • There have, however, been some struggles in practice for Beck. It could be simply getting to know the new cast of pass catchers, and overall surroundings, but “a bit off target” and “a little late” have been things mentioned a couple of times from various people. Those things will improve with reps and experience, but it does feel like Notre Dame is getting Beck at the right time. 
  • It sounds like redshirt sophomore quarterback Emory Williams has had a nice offseason. He will serve as the top backup for Beck, and has some nice tools to work with at around 6-5 and 220 pounds. Williams doesn’t have a ton of game experience (97 career pass attempts), but it does feel like he’s developing well behind the scenes slowly. 
  • The wide receiver position is one of the most interesting ones on the entire Miami roster right now. With the losses at wide receiver this past offseason, the Hurricanes decided to dip into the Transfer Portal for multiple pass catchers. That includes CJ Daniels (LSU, Liberty), Tony Johnson (Cincinnati, FAU), and Keelan Marion (BYU, UConn). Marion is one of the best kick returners in college football, and that will be his biggest impact in 2025. 
  • Of those three portal additions, there doesn’t seem to be a ton of excitement, at least not for any to be a star. Those moves feel more like stability than drastically improving the ceiling. The words “solid” and “consistent” have been used a lot, especially when talking about Daniels. 
  • If there is a breakout wide receiver to take a massive jump, it feels like it is going to be sophomore Joshisa “Jojo” Trader. The former Chaminade Madonna star could have played either cornerback or wide receiver on a high level, and folks around Miami are expecting him to be a vital player for the passing game this season. He’s a natural playmaker who has the talent to be a three level threat, but he’s still learning on the fly a bit. 
  • There is a lot of excitement for the freshman wide receivers for Miami this offseason as well. A lot of the conversation goes to Malachi Toney, who reclassified to the 2025 recruiting class from 2026 during this past season. The name I’ve heard even more than Toney so far, however, is Joshua Moore. He’s a 6-4, 205-pound pass catcher that gives this unit much needed size and contested catch ability outside. Daylyn Upshaw has also been making plays in practice, and could see significant action this fall. 
  • On the offensive line, everyone knows about Francis Mauigoa, but it has been a couple of other offensive linemen who have had sizable jumps this offseason. There is none more important than starting left tackle Markel Bell. He has people inside the program very excited after some shaky movements last season. At a hair under 6-9 and 348 pounds verified, Bell has unsurprisingly struggled with bend and leverage at times. Improving his flexibility and pad level has been a big point of emphasis heading into the 2025 season. 
  • On the interior, center James Brockermeyer comes to the Hurricanes after a strong 2024 season with TCU. The former Alabama transfer isn’t flashy, but he’s efficient. Brockermeyer has been a steadying force for that offensive line, and has become a strong communicator to pair with Beck. 
  • One of the big offseason stories was the acquisition of former Wisconsin cornerback Xavier Lucas. While that situation is ongoing with legal conversations continuing, Lucas has been stellar for Miami since he arrived. One person I spoke to described Lucas as “a freak who plays like he’s not very talented”, and that’s a huge compliment. The expectation is that he’s their best cornerback, and could be the best defensive player on the whole team in 2025. 
  • Sophomore defensive tackle Justin Scott is a player folks are hoping takes a substantial step. Scott wasn’t needed much in 2024 because of the depth on the defensive line, but he could be their best defensive tackle in 2025. There’s no questioning his raw size and overall talent. It’s still up in the air whether it all clicks this season, but there is optimism.
  • The secondary feels mostly set outside of Lucas, but there are two depth players who have been creating some buzz this offseason as well. Redshirt sophomore Damari Brown has been consistently making plays every practice according to one source, as has sophomore safety Dylan Day. Even if neither starts this season, there is optimism that they will contribute. Secondary was a huge problem last season, but Miami feels like they have found answers, and the back end is deeper than it has been in a couple of years.

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