From the Ashes.

[Soapy]

i wish CFB25 allowed them to still progress smh stealing a year of development/ratings boost is foul AF

That's crazy. Didn't know that

yeah im surprised it hasn't been patched

[Soapy]

Keke Hagg embraces challenge to take Miami back to the promised land
Carlos Navarro -- The Athletic Staff Writer

Miami sophomore quarterback Keke Hagg grew up across the street from Clearwater High School, going to games to watch his older brothers play for a Tornadoes program that had never won a state championship in football. Whenever that stat was brought up, the youngest of three boys always proclaimed that he'd be the one to change that.

"They'd be okay one year," says Jeff Hagg Sr, Keke's father, "They'd struggle for another two and then have another really good senior class that would win eight, nine games and then it'd be back down again."

Hagg's freshman year was a down year with the team only winning five games, all coming in the last two months of the season when the coaching staff gave the keys to the program to the freshman. Hagg

"He looked like a chicken with its head cut off," Hagg Sr. says of his youngest son's freshman year at Clearwater, "He was just running around, trying to carry an offense and a team that just didn't have the talent. He wanted to stay there and win a state championship, he really did but I just felt like he wasn't going to develop at [Clearwater] and as a parent, you have to make decisions for your kids sometimes in their best interest."

Hagg would transfer down the road to Calvary Christian, a decision he still struggles with to this day despite making it to the Regional Finals, losing to eventual State champions Berkeley Prep.

"I still think I could have turned that program around," Hagg said of the decision to leave Clearwater High, "I'm still good friends with those guys and as much winning as we did at Calvary and then IMG, I don't really talk to those guys like that. For me, the grind is where its at and I do wish I had stayed and won [at Clearwater] and while I think the decision ultimately benefited me the most and helped my development, I'm just the kind of guy that wants to win with my day one guys."

The former five-star will have a chance to do just that this season as the Hurricanes enter Mario Cristobal's sixth-year at Miami with a boom-or-bust mentality, national championship or failure. They've made it to the playoffs each of the last three seasons, winning the ACC the last two but have yet to lay hands on the sixth national championship which is what Hagg came to Miami for.

"I love Cam [Ward], I love Emory [Williams] but they'd be the first to tell you that they wanted to leave here with a championship. I don't want to have that same regret I have with Clearwater and not winning a [championship]. We have to get it done, we have to."

Hagg split time with Williams last season as a true freshman, playing in all but two games and throwing for 1255 yards and thirteen touchdowns to just three interceptions. He also added two rushing touchdowns but knows that as the full-time starter now -- albeit it hasn't been formally announced -- the expectations will rise and defenses will no longer be scrambling when he comes into the game.

"I'm ready for it," says Hagg of the added responsibility, "I've always been that type of guy to want the pressure, to want the challenge."

[six7]

Hagg bringing it home

[Soapy]

What we learned as Miami Hurricanes put a bow on spring practices
Manny Ledo -- The Miami Herald Sports Columnist

Even some late afternoon showers -- as is customary in South Florida -- couldn't put a damper on what was a very exciting spring game for Miami fans in attendance and watching at home. For the players and the coaching staff that were on the field, it provided a much needed relief from the Florida sun that was beaming on them in the first half and throughout the past few weeks.

"It's been a tough spring," said senior running back Chris Johnson Jr., "In a good way, though. It's been competitive especially out in that Florida sun where it doesn't take much for a late hit or extra shove get taken the wrong way but it's helped build us up."

Johnson, who saw a reduced role last year but is expected to a key contributor in his second year in Chris Weinke's offense, knows he'll be counted on a lot this season with Mark Fletcher Jr. and Jordan Lyle gone. He carried the ball just seven times in the spring game as the Hurricanes are likely saving his legs for game that count.

While Johnson Jr. got a light day, as did some other veterans, there was plenty to learn:

• Senior Armondo Blount's got next
  Miami had to replace Reuben Bain's production last year and did it in spades with Marquise Lightfoot becoming the first edge rusher to ever win the Heisman as he put together a record breaking campaign.
  
  Lost in the hype around Lightfoot was Armando Blount's breakout campaign with 9.5 sacks, eighteen tackles for loss and the key touchdown to save Miami against Florida State in their first of two matchups that would be pivotal in the Hurricanes winning the ACC.
  
  Blount is making a slight adjustment to the Hurricanes' new 3-4 defense as he's going from being an edge rusher to a five-technique in the Hurricanes' base defense but its a transition that was always expect for Blount who played defensive end in high school but was always expected, at some point, to outgrow the position.
  
  "It's probably where I'm playing in the NFL," Blount said of the switch, "So I'm ready for it."
  
  He looked ready on Saturday, registering several quarterback hurries that would have likely resulted in sacks during a real game.
  -
• The talent at receiver is overwhelming
  Jeremiah Smith might be the best receiver in college football but on Greentree, if he doesn't bring his A game, he might not be the best receiver on the practice field that day.
  
  Smith didn't play much in the spring game and they didn't need him to as Eric Incoom put on a show with two long touchdown catches and Joshisa Trader seems to have put his drops behind him as he snagged all five targets that went his way, including an acrobatic sideline catch where he managed to get both feet inbound.
  
  Sophomore receiver Davon Momah might have had a quiet spring but we know what he's capable of, having led the group last year as a true freshman. Even the backups -- Miguel Escobar, Troy McMahan and David Tompkins -- made some splash plays throughout the spring to showcase their ability and show just how deep and talented this group is.
  -
• Samson Okunlola's patience appears to be paying off
  A forgotten member of Miami's first elite recruiting class under Mario Cristobal, which included first round picks Reuben Bain and Francis Maigoa, is offensive tackle Samson Okunkola. The former five-star has had a tough time at Miami from not getting on the field to when he finally did, struggling and eventually getting benched last year.
  
  Through it all, Okunlola remained committed to Miami and Miami remained committed to him. He's now at right tackle, which is a more natural fit for him than guard, and he's looking like Miami's best offensive lineman.
  
  Miami returns three starters in center Will Larkins and guards Frankie Tinilau and Juan Minaya so if he can solidify that right tackle spot, it'll make the growing pains of whoever ends up at left tackle -- Deryc Plazz, George Robledo or Dominick Longo -- a lot easier to handle instead of having two problematic starters, both at tackle.

[Soapy]

Hagg bringing it home

we can only hope

[Soapy]

Miami Football: 2027 Hurricanes Season Preview and Prediction
Athlon Sports Staff Writer • 8 min read

Head coach: Mario Cristobal (6th at Miami)
Offensive Coordinator: Chris Weinke (2nd season)
Defensive Coordinator: Skylor Magee (1st season)
2026 record: 12-2 (lost CFP Quarterfinals)
2027 recruiting rank (247 Sports): No. 5 nationally, No. 1 in the ACC
Preseason All-American: WR Jeremiah Smith, DT Artavius Jones, LB James Fernandez, S Zaquan Patterson
Preseason All-ACC: WR Jeremiah Smith, C Will Larkins, DE Armando Blount, DT Artavius Jones, DT Josh Horton, OLB Walt Coffey, LB Cam Pruitt, LB James Fernandez, CB Robert Stafford, S Zaquan Patterson, S LaMarcus Cook

Miami fans used to pray for times like these to win the ACC in back-to-back seasons and yet feel like there was meat left on the bone.

The Hurricanes are one of the more talented rosters once more and enter year with national championship expectations after falling short against eventful champions Georgia in the first round of the playoffs in their home stadium at the Orange Bowl. They've solidified their quarterback position with Keke Hagg as the unquestioned starter following the transfer of Emory Williams and Jeremiah Smith returns for his redshirt junior season after holding off on the draft due to injuries causing him to miss most of last year.

Previewing Miami's Offense for 2027
Smith is back into the fold along with Joshisa Trader, Davon Momah and Eric Incoom to give Hagg an explosive and talented foursome of receivers on top of a running back room that features Isaac Brown, who transferred from Louisville, the speedy Chris Johnson Jr. along with Maurice Rugamba who started to come online during the latter part of last year.

Miami seemed to have figured out their offensive line woes for the most part with the trio of Juan Minaya, Will Larkins and Frankie Tinilau starting down the stretch along the interior but they will need to replace both offensive tackle spots, especially Francis Maigoa who was among the nation's best.

They have the talent to do so in Samson Okunlola, a fifth-year senior who was a five-star coming out of high school at right tackle and at left tackle, the Hurricanes aren't short of unproven but talented players that should step up and replace Markel Bell.

---

---

Previewing Miami's Defense for 2027
Miami has to replace a ton of production on defense with Damari Brown and his thirteen interceptions gone as well as Heisman winning defensive end Marquise Lightfoot who was drafted in the first round on top of a new defensive coordinator in Skylor Magee.

The crazy part? They just might do it, that's how talented this roster is. Armando Blount is a proven player on the defensive line, as are defensive tackles Artavius Jones, Josh Horton, Kevin Yeboah and Dan Mitnze.

On the edge, Walt Coffey hasn't had the production nor the opportunities to showcase his five-star abilities in what should be a breakout year for him and Elias Rudolph, who backed up Lightfoot and Rueben Bain for the past two seasons and had five sacks.

At linebacker, they lose Adarius Haye's playmaking ability but aren't short on talent with five-star James Fernandez entering his third year along with Jacques Turk and Cam Pruitt, who were major contributors last season.

They might not have Damari Brown's playmaking ability anymore but even dating back to last year, Robert Stafford and Robby Washington were probably Miami's best cover concerns and they should see an expanded role as redshirt juniors and seniors that are making their case to make an NFL roster by this time next year.

Schedule (2026 record)
vs. FIU (6-7, 4-4 C-USA)
at Utah (5-7, 4-5 Big XII)
vs. Virginia (5-7, 3-5 ACC)
vs. South Carolina (5-7, 3-5 SEC)
at #12 Auburn (10-3, 5-3 SEC)
at #7 Florida State (9-5, 7-1 ACC)
at Duke (6-7, 3-5 ACC)
vs. Louisville (3-9, 2-6 ACC)
at Virginia Tech (4-8, 3-5 ACC)
vs. California (5-7, 2-6 ACC)
at NC State (6-7, 4-4 ACC)
vs. Georgia Tech (6-7, 5-3 ACC)

Miami gets a couple of 'warm up' games with FIU, Utah, Virginia and South Carolina, albeit Utah is on the road, before heading into the teeth of their schedule. However, South Carolina and Boise State last year were supposed to be warm up games as well and Miami struggled in both, losing to Boise State, so you never know.

It's a favorable ACC schedule as they avoid Clemson and Pitt, who are probably atop the conference alongside Florida State and Miami. The Hurricanes don't play a team with a winning record from last year once they're through Florida Sate.

Projected ACC Standing: 1st
Projected Final Ranking: 1st

If Keke Hagg is indeed the truth and with Jeremiah Smith back healthy for a full season, it's hard to pick anyone over Miami based on how talented their roster is.

[six7]

idk how cristobal still here... and u brought in a FSU alum to run the offense

get coach francois back in this bih

[Soapy]

idk how cristobal still here... and u brought in a FSU alum to run the offense

get coach francois back in this bih

make a bowl at uconn

[six7]

[Baze]

this has to be one of the softest schedules for a top ranked team, anything short of an undefeated regular season is a disappointment imo