The Miami Hurricanes football team hosted its annual media day Monday afternoon, giving CanesInSight the opportunity to go one on one with both coaches and players.
Plenty of players were eager to announce the efforts during the offseason, including freshmen such as TE Israel Briggs and QB Dereon Coleman who’ve added 35 and 26 pounds respectively. Other key transformations of note include Elija Lofton dropping down to 237 from being over 260 last season, and edge rusher Marquise Lightfoot reaching 240 pounds.
Quarterback Darian Mensah has been hard at work with his wide receiver core this offseason, making sure the timing is in place with the plethora of weapons at his disposal.
He referenced the “ease” of getting to have weapons with multiple skillsets — a sentiment echoed by wide receiver coach Kevin Beard.
Coach Beard remarked about his excitement with the different tools at his disposal, specifically Dre Jacobs, who “brings a true deep threat [Miami] has been lacking.”
And for star wideout Malachi Toney — despite being at the top of the college football world — he’s simply just locked in to getting back on the field.
Beard noted Toney’s mentality as a key catalyst in this Hurricanes wide receiver room which blends returning talent with intriguing transfers.
On the defensive side, Missouri transfer Damon Wilson is “ready to run through people,” pushed by the talent around him.
Across the defensive line, the unit was nothing but complementary to one another — with the duo of Ahmad Moten Sr. and Justin Scott receiving major praise.
Moten noted the pain of losing the national championship last season as a key factor in his return this season.
And the veteran was excited to take on a leadership role, “happy to know the questions and how to guide the young guys.”
In the secondary, cornerback Xavier Lucas noted the amount of talent that’s returning in the room. Cornerbacks coach Terry Jefferson emphasized how the “communication” has taken a step up in the secondary and looks to be an elite unit this season.
Lastly after speaking to every player/coach, I asked each to give one word to describe this 2026 Hurricanes team.
And the top three answers — violent, determined and special — no funny business from this side determined to bring number six back home.
Plenty of players were eager to announce the efforts during the offseason, including freshmen such as TE Israel Briggs and QB Dereon Coleman who’ve added 35 and 26 pounds respectively. Other key transformations of note include Elija Lofton dropping down to 237 from being over 260 last season, and edge rusher Marquise Lightfoot reaching 240 pounds.
Quarterback Darian Mensah has been hard at work with his wide receiver core this offseason, making sure the timing is in place with the plethora of weapons at his disposal.
He referenced the “ease” of getting to have weapons with multiple skillsets — a sentiment echoed by wide receiver coach Kevin Beard.
Coach Beard remarked about his excitement with the different tools at his disposal, specifically Dre Jacobs, who “brings a true deep threat [Miami] has been lacking.”
And for star wideout Malachi Toney — despite being at the top of the college football world — he’s simply just locked in to getting back on the field.
Beard noted Toney’s mentality as a key catalyst in this Hurricanes wide receiver room which blends returning talent with intriguing transfers.
On the defensive side, Missouri transfer Damon Wilson is “ready to run through people,” pushed by the talent around him.
Across the defensive line, the unit was nothing but complementary to one another — with the duo of Ahmad Moten Sr. and Justin Scott receiving major praise.
Moten noted the pain of losing the national championship last season as a key factor in his return this season.
And the veteran was excited to take on a leadership role, “happy to know the questions and how to guide the young guys.”
In the secondary, cornerback Xavier Lucas noted the amount of talent that’s returning in the room. Cornerbacks coach Terry Jefferson emphasized how the “communication” has taken a step up in the secondary and looks to be an elite unit this season.
Lastly after speaking to every player/coach, I asked each to give one word to describe this 2026 Hurricanes team.
And the top three answers — violent, determined and special — no funny business from this side determined to bring number six back home.
