Final offseason, the Hurricanes struck gold within the switch portal, signing quarterback Cam Ward. Ward proceeded to have the greatest season for a quarterback in Miami historical past, and he was named a Heisman Trophy finalist.
However Ward is headed to the NFL (with significantly better draft inventory after his season at UM), that means the Hurricanes as soon as once more want a beginning quarterback. Moreover, backup quarterback Reese Poffenbarger entered the portal and dedicated to North Texas.
Miami has choices this yr. Emory Williams might step in as a starter after two years as a backup, and the Hurricanes might search for a depth quarterback to again him up. Or they may flip to the portal as soon as once more for a starter. Listed here are some gamers who might fill these roles:
Devin Brown, Ohio State
Brown is an intriguing possibility with expertise. He was the No. 6 quarterback within the 2022 class, based on 247Sports’ composite rating. Nonetheless, he misplaced quarterback battles in back-to-back years to Kyle McCord and Will Howard earlier than in the end selecting to go away Columbus. Brown has performed 150 snaps over three seasons, finishing 55.3 p.c of his passes for 325 yards and a rating.
Anthony Colandrea, Virginia
Colandrea has a few of Ward’s gunslinger, playmaking capacity. However he has not put up the stats to match. He has began 17 video games for Virginia the final two years, finishing 62.6 p.c of his passes for 4,083 yards and 26 touchdowns. Nonetheless, he additionally has 20 interceptions, together with 11 this season. His 14 turnover-worthy performs almost matched Ward’s 15 within the common season. Colandrea would wish a number of growth to be a high quarterback, and he struggled mightily towards the hardest groups on the Cavaliers’ schedule.
John Mateer, Washington State
Plucking a Washington State quarterback from the portal labored final time. Why not attempt it once more? Mateer is probably going the Hurricanes’ high possibility within the portal. Mateer, taking on for Ward at Wazzu, had a breakout yr. He accomplished 64.6 p.c of his passes for 3,139 yards and 29 touchdowns with simply seven interceptions. He additionally ran for 826 yards and 15 touchdowns. Professional Soccer Focus rated Mateer the 14th-best quarterback within the nation (with greater than 400 dropbacks) by offensive grade, and he had one of the best working grade amongst that group. Oklahoma is taken into account the favourite to land Mateer after Washington State’s offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle took the identical place with the Sooners.
Fernando Mendoza, Cal
Mendoza transferring to Miami could be a homecoming. Mendoza was the beginning quarterback at Mario Cristobal’s alma mater, Miami Columbus Excessive, however was not extremely touted. He was a two-star prospect in 247Sports’ composite rankings and signed with Cal over gives from FIU and a gaggle of FCS groups. Mendoza took over because the Golden Bears’ starter final yr and secured the function this season. He threw for 3,004 yards and 16 touchdowns with six interceptions this yr. Mendoza threw for 285 yards and two touchdowns in a loss to UM this yr.
Maalik Murphy, Duke
Murphy is searching for his third program after main Duke to a 9-3 season. Murphy, a former four-star prospect who first signed with Texas, threw for two,933 yards with 26 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 2024 — three of these touchdowns and three of the interceptions have been towards Miami. Murphy excelled at deep passes, incomes a 91.5 grade on passes 20 yards or longer, which was twenty eighth nationally, based on PFF.
Air Noland, Ohio State
The Hurricanes recruited Noland in highschool, however he selected the Buckeyes. Now UM has one other likelihood on the former four-star prospect. Noland didn’t play as a real freshman, so it won’t make sense to deliver him in and insert him as a starter. However Noland is proficient and will compete for Miami’s beginning job.