Overview

• Georgia transfer Carson Beck enters as the named starter after an 11–2 season and top national grading, tasked with steering a ground-focused attack.
• Miami shifts to a run-first identity behind a highly rated offensive line with Mark Fletcher Jr. featured at running back and veteran targets such as CJ Daniels emerging in camp.
• New defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman installs a simplified scheme that players say has sharpened communication after last year’s coverage breakdowns.
• The secondary was rebuilt through the portal with additions including Xavier Lucas, Zechariah Poyser, Keionte Scott, Ethan O’Connor and Jakobe Thomas to bolster a unit that lagged in 2024.
• PFF pegs Miami’s offensive and defensive lines both in the top 10 with a projected 9.5 wins, framing the home opener against top-10 Notre Dame as an early gauge after last season’s late slips.