Going into the 2025 season, there were many Miami Hurricanes players you could have chosen as the X-factor for the team. The X-factor has the ability to change games. Miami had to find those players as the season went on a year ago.

Now, going into the 2026 season, it's the same thing. You can choose from many players, but who are the names that are going to be that game-changing playmaker?

There are many offensive players you can choose for the X-Factor position.

Last season, Malachi Toney was the perfect definition of an X-Factor. He has the ability to change the game in just seconds. He can turn a hitch route into a 20, 30, or 40-yard play, and he just finds a way to get open while making people miss.

On the defensive end, you can choose from young guys like Bryce Fitzgerald to experienced veterans like Damon Wilson.

This past season, Bryce Fitzgerald racked up an incredible freshman season, finishing his first year with six interceptions, ten tackles and six pass deflections. He mad big plays down the stretch of the Hurricanes. While Damon Wilson has played over 1,000 college career snaps.

Who is going to be your X-Factor heading into the 2026-27 College Football season? It's going to be a fun year, let us know down below.

 

All the Edge guys. Not worried about IDL or DB's at all. Offense is loaded.

If Lightfoot/Wilson/Lowe can be half as good as Bain and Mesidor I think the Canes roll to the CFP.

 

Jaboree

 

It’s Mensah imo. If he’s as good as advertised we’re going to be very hard to beat. The O struggles we saw at times last year won’t be the case this year.

 

All the Edge guys. Not worried about IDL or DB's at all. Offense is loaded.

If Lightfoot/Wilson/Lowe can be half as good as Bain and Mesidor I think the Canes roll to the CFP.

Wilson has tape and coming into a money season. He will be motivated..

 

I think Elijah Lofton has a chance to make the offense unstoppable.

To effectively handle Toney and Barkate defenses are going to need to commit bodies to the short and intermediate levels. Lofton is either going to be wide open or they'll commit to him and Fletcher/Lyle/Pringle are going to have nobody to stop them at the second level. If Lofton can become a threat in the passing game I don't know how you stop Miami.

 

What is going on with Hayden Lowe? He would be X factor on defense opposite of Wilson and on offense the #2 wr whoever it is

 

Moten. To stay healthy and cause havoc. We take a step back on the edges but the interior also makes the edges look better.

 

ACC Refs

 

the right tackle !!!!!
and the DE opposite of wilson
can they continue to bully people like last year

 

Blount

I think he’s the next one and could have a bigger overall impact (run and pass defense) than Wilson if he continues to put in the work

What we lost on the edges can’t take too far a step back

 

It's 1000% Darian Mensah.

How is this even a question?

Anybody really thinks Judd Anderson, Luke Nickel or true freshman Dereon Coleman are leading this team to an ACC title and through the College Football Playoffs?


If you want to say, "besides Darian Mensah"—I'll go Ahmad Moten on defense; holding down the interior of that line and a veteran leader ... and on offense, a coin flip between Malachi Toney's year two versatility and Mark Fletcher's team leadership and understanding of the culture.

Most won't matter in the regular season, but when it comes to a road game at Notre Dame early November, an ACC title game (most-likely a revenge game against SMU) and then needing to be focused in the CFP (without Mauigoa, Bain, Mesidor, etc.)—Fletch is "the guy" and the one everyone will look to as he holds it all down.

 

Hoping moten and scott can be stud dt

 

Mensah on offense
One of the DEs on defense

 

I'm really hoping for a true defensive standout/ breakout season. We have a lot of players, we need someone to step up and blowup the defensive side. I'm thinking Wiley or Blount/Scott.

Mensah's gonna Mensah with all the weapons he's got, plus a much better line than Duke.

 

Jackson Carver

 

Wilson has tape and coming into a money season. He will be motivated..

Smart decision by Wilson, it's your money year so what better than Jason Taylor teaching you

 

I think lightfoot could have an outrageous season this year.

 

Offense? Gotta be whoever emerges at TE1.

Defense? Wiley

 

Lightfoot and Moten