On3 ranked Miami as the No. 1 offense in the country heading into the 2026-27 college football season. Now, the network ranked the Hurricanes defense among the top-10 best in the country.
According to On3's J.D. Pickell, the Hurricanes are one of the most complete teams in all of college football. He ranked the Hurricanes as the No. 6 defense in the country, trailing behind Oregon, Oklahoma, Notre Dame, Georgia, and Texas. Programs such as Miami, Oregon, Ohio State, Indiana, Texas, Texas Tech, and Notre Dame were all teams named on both of the offensive and defensive top-10 list by On3.
Miami has done a remarkable job in the transfer portal after losing two first-round picks, Akheem Mesidor and Rueben Bain. Mario Cristobal grabbed one of the best pass rushers in the country, Damon Wilson. While maintaining returning defensive line production: Marquise Lightfoot, Ahmad Moten, Hayden Lowe, and Justin Scott, among others. Veteran linebacker Mohamed Toure decided to return after having another impactful season. Chase Smith and Cam Pruitt are expected to take a leap in the depth chart and to play a part in the Hurricanes linebacker room. Miami have one of the best defensive back groups in the country by returning Damari Brown, Bryce Fitzgerald, Xavier Lucas, Zechariah Poyser, Ja'Boree Antoine, and Ethan O'Conner, among others. Cristobal added one of the hardest hitting safeties in the country, Omar Thornton, who played a key role for Boston College.
When Cristobal brought in Corey Hetherman last season, the culture on the defensive side of the ball changed tremendously. This past season, the Hurricanes were one of the best defensive teams in the country, only allowing 14.0 points per game and allowed under 292 yards per game. Miami's defense is expected to go against many top offensive teams in the country. Let's see if the Hurricanes can live up to the hype this season.
According to On3's J.D. Pickell, the Hurricanes are one of the most complete teams in all of college football. He ranked the Hurricanes as the No. 6 defense in the country, trailing behind Oregon, Oklahoma, Notre Dame, Georgia, and Texas. Programs such as Miami, Oregon, Ohio State, Indiana, Texas, Texas Tech, and Notre Dame were all teams named on both of the offensive and defensive top-10 list by On3.
Miami has done a remarkable job in the transfer portal after losing two first-round picks, Akheem Mesidor and Rueben Bain. Mario Cristobal grabbed one of the best pass rushers in the country, Damon Wilson. While maintaining returning defensive line production: Marquise Lightfoot, Ahmad Moten, Hayden Lowe, and Justin Scott, among others. Veteran linebacker Mohamed Toure decided to return after having another impactful season. Chase Smith and Cam Pruitt are expected to take a leap in the depth chart and to play a part in the Hurricanes linebacker room. Miami have one of the best defensive back groups in the country by returning Damari Brown, Bryce Fitzgerald, Xavier Lucas, Zechariah Poyser, Ja'Boree Antoine, and Ethan O'Conner, among others. Cristobal added one of the hardest hitting safeties in the country, Omar Thornton, who played a key role for Boston College.
When Cristobal brought in Corey Hetherman last season, the culture on the defensive side of the ball changed tremendously. This past season, the Hurricanes were one of the best defensive teams in the country, only allowing 14.0 points per game and allowed under 292 yards per game. Miami's defense is expected to go against many top offensive teams in the country. Let's see if the Hurricanes can live up to the hype this season.
