Miami RB Mark Fletcher, Jr. joined Joey Galloway and Kirk Herbstreit on the "Nonstop" podcast to discuss Miami's run to the championship game. Below is a transcript of that conversation:
Mark Fletcher Jr.:
I’m blessed to be here. This is one of those moments you dream about as a kid — not just playing in big games, but being part of something special with your teammates. We’re all just soaking it in right now.
Joey Galloway:
When something you’ve envisioned actually becomes reality, what does that feel like?
Mark Fletcher Jr.:
It’s honestly hard to put into words. When you go through the offseason, the workouts, the meetings, the early mornings, the late nights, you talk about what you want to become. But when it actually starts happening, it’s almost surreal. We believed in it before anybody else did. Now it’s real. That’s what makes it special — knowing we built this through sacrifice and work.
Kirk Herbstreit:
Going back to summer camp, when this team was coming together with portal guys and new pieces, what made you feel like you could take another step from last year?
Mark Fletcher Jr.:
What stood out to me was the buy-in. Everybody came in hungry. It didn’t matter if you were a starter, a transfer, or a freshman — guys checked their egos at the door. Nobody was worried about stats or who was getting credit. We were all about, “How do we win?” When you get 100-plus guys pulling in the same direction, that’s when things can really take off.
Joey Galloway:
How do you create that in an NIL, social-media era where everything is about the individual?
Mark Fletcher Jr.:
It has to come from inside the locker room. Coaches can preach it, but players have to live it. You need leaders who are willing to speak up, hold people accountable, and show it by example. That means blocking when you’d rather be catching, running hard when you’re tired, doing the dirty work. When younger guys see that, they follow it.
Kirk Herbstreit:
You’ve seen Miami at different stages. What does it mean to be part of bringing this program back?
Mark Fletcher Jr.:
It means everything. I grew up watching what Miami used to be. Sean Taylor. Ed Reed. That edge, that pride. To be wearing this jersey and helping bring that back, that’s something I’ll never take lightly. This place has history, and we feel that every time we step on the field.
Joey Galloway:
What’s it like seeing legends around you now?
Mark Fletcher Jr.:
It’s crazy. When I saw Ray Lewis and Edgerrin James before the last game, it hit me. Those are guys I studied, guys I wanted to be like. When they’re there watching you, it makes you want to give everything you have. And now kids look at us the same way — that’s powerful.
Kirk Herbstreit:
Mario Cristobal talks a lot about substance over swagger. How does that show up?
Mark Fletcher Jr.:
We still have our Miami flavor, but it’s built on work. Blocking, tackling, finishing. Coach Mario lets the leaders lead, and we carry that message. It’s not about talking — it’s about doing.
Joey Galloway:
What stands out about Indiana?
Mark Fletcher Jr.:
They’re physical everywhere. Their D-line, their linebackers — they fly around and communicate well. But we trust our offensive line and our receivers to do their jobs. If we play our style of football, we’ll be ready for the fight.
Kirk Herbstreit:
Your receivers block as hard as anyone. What does that do for you?
Mark Fletcher Jr.:
It changes everything. When receivers are throwing their bodies in there, it makes the whole team tighter. It’s selfless football. That’s how you win championships.
Joey Galloway:
Your mom drives to all your games?
Mark Fletcher Jr.:
Every single one. Florida to California, everywhere. She doesn’t miss.
Kirk Herbstreit:
How motivating is that?
Mark Fletcher Jr.:
It makes you want to give everything. If she’s willing to do that for me, I owe it to her, my teammates, and this program to leave everything on the field.
Mark Fletcher Jr.:
I’m blessed to be here. This is one of those moments you dream about as a kid — not just playing in big games, but being part of something special with your teammates. We’re all just soaking it in right now.
Joey Galloway:
When something you’ve envisioned actually becomes reality, what does that feel like?
Mark Fletcher Jr.:
It’s honestly hard to put into words. When you go through the offseason, the workouts, the meetings, the early mornings, the late nights, you talk about what you want to become. But when it actually starts happening, it’s almost surreal. We believed in it before anybody else did. Now it’s real. That’s what makes it special — knowing we built this through sacrifice and work.
Kirk Herbstreit:
Going back to summer camp, when this team was coming together with portal guys and new pieces, what made you feel like you could take another step from last year?
Mark Fletcher Jr.:
What stood out to me was the buy-in. Everybody came in hungry. It didn’t matter if you were a starter, a transfer, or a freshman — guys checked their egos at the door. Nobody was worried about stats or who was getting credit. We were all about, “How do we win?” When you get 100-plus guys pulling in the same direction, that’s when things can really take off.
Joey Galloway:
How do you create that in an NIL, social-media era where everything is about the individual?
Mark Fletcher Jr.:
It has to come from inside the locker room. Coaches can preach it, but players have to live it. You need leaders who are willing to speak up, hold people accountable, and show it by example. That means blocking when you’d rather be catching, running hard when you’re tired, doing the dirty work. When younger guys see that, they follow it.
Kirk Herbstreit:
You’ve seen Miami at different stages. What does it mean to be part of bringing this program back?
Mark Fletcher Jr.:
It means everything. I grew up watching what Miami used to be. Sean Taylor. Ed Reed. That edge, that pride. To be wearing this jersey and helping bring that back, that’s something I’ll never take lightly. This place has history, and we feel that every time we step on the field.
Joey Galloway:
What’s it like seeing legends around you now?
Mark Fletcher Jr.:
It’s crazy. When I saw Ray Lewis and Edgerrin James before the last game, it hit me. Those are guys I studied, guys I wanted to be like. When they’re there watching you, it makes you want to give everything you have. And now kids look at us the same way — that’s powerful.
Kirk Herbstreit:
Mario Cristobal talks a lot about substance over swagger. How does that show up?
Mark Fletcher Jr.:
We still have our Miami flavor, but it’s built on work. Blocking, tackling, finishing. Coach Mario lets the leaders lead, and we carry that message. It’s not about talking — it’s about doing.
Joey Galloway:
What stands out about Indiana?
Mark Fletcher Jr.:
They’re physical everywhere. Their D-line, their linebackers — they fly around and communicate well. But we trust our offensive line and our receivers to do their jobs. If we play our style of football, we’ll be ready for the fight.
Kirk Herbstreit:
Your receivers block as hard as anyone. What does that do for you?
Mark Fletcher Jr.:
It changes everything. When receivers are throwing their bodies in there, it makes the whole team tighter. It’s selfless football. That’s how you win championships.
Joey Galloway:
Your mom drives to all your games?
Mark Fletcher Jr.:
Every single one. Florida to California, everywhere. She doesn’t miss.
Kirk Herbstreit:
How motivating is that?
Mark Fletcher Jr.:
It makes you want to give everything. If she’s willing to do that for me, I owe it to her, my teammates, and this program to leave everything on the field.
