2026 Miami Hurricanes Position Preview: Offensive Line
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Miami's offensive line coach Alex Mirabal continues to shine as one of the best in the country, even when he is questioned about where players are lining up on the offensive line.
The Miami Hurricanes' offensive line is one of the newer groups the program has in the middle of the fall camp, but they have worked well on bringing the talent together.
It starts with shuffling everyone around to understand where everyone is needed to play and keep it close.
Now the Canes' offensive line brings in four new starters and one returning player. With the leadership of Mirabal and Mario Cristobal, the Hurricanes should have one of the top groups in the country again halfway through the season.
Jackson Cantwell
The prize position of the Miami Hurricanes this offseason out of the 2026 recruiting class prepares for his first season as another projected freshman starter. The last player to do it was Francis Mauigoa who went on to be a first round pick in this past years draft.
However, for Cantwell, the goals is to play him everywhere so the best five can be on the field at all time. He has all the upside and has been going into the fire with the best since last season, and it has helped his growth moving forward.
Samson Okunlola
Argueably, the most important piece to this puzzle for the Hurricanes is the former five-star tackle. Okunlola and Cantwell are battling it out for the left tackle position this season, but with some of the most experience in the group, he will be one of the key leaders up front.
He played at key points during the Canes' National Championship appearance, appearing in 16 games and starting against Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl, which also helped build the team's confidence for this season.
Ryan Rodriguez
One of the oldest players on the roster and one of the key players who has built the trust of others around him in the locker room. Rodriguez is one of two remaining players from the Manny Diaz era, and now he is the projected starting center heading into this season.
It is a position that he takes a lot of pride in along with his coaches who believe in him.
“I think we’re really gelling," Rodriguez said. "A lot of reps, a lot of different looks, a lot of chemistry. Obviously, you’ve got to go through different looks, different practices, different periods, situations, and we’ve got some young guys, so they’ve got to experience a lot of things, but everyone’s stepping up to the plate. Everybody’s hungry to learn, and we’re all excited to keep getting better.”
Matthew McCoy
Another key starter and rotational player entering this season comes from McCoy. The 6-foot-6 giant played key moments during the playoffs last season alongside Okunlola but was consistently on the field more. The redshirt senior started 15 of the 16 games the Hurricanes played, seeing the fifth -most snaps among offensive linemen.
Moreover, this is a chance for him to solidify himself as a strong draft pick after this season, a role that most saw him projected for when he committed to the Hurricanes.
Max Buchanan
As a freshman last season, Buchanan saw the field in fives games but made the most out of his opportunity. Moreover, this season he is battling it out with another player who would round out the starting five this season.
However, don't be shocked if he is rotated in and out like others above him have been during their time at Miami.
Rotational Depth
Ben Congdon, Jaden Wilkerson, Jamal Meriweather, Joel Ervin, and SJ Alofaituli
The rest of the Hurricanes' depth at o-line continues to be blue-chip prospects waiting for their turn. Furthermore, because of the question marks on who is going to be where, any one of these players can make that jump.
Congdon and Buchanan will battle it out for the right side at either guard or tackle, while the rest look to take some time over others at center or guard.
Full 2026 Miami Hurricanes Position Preview:
Miami Hurricanes on SI will keep an updated position preview until fall camp starts in August.
Quarterbacks
Cornerbacks
Running Backs
Safety
Linebackers
Wide Receivers
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Justice Sandle is a graduate of Mississippi State University earning a Bachelor of Arts and Science in Communications with a concentration in Print and Digital Journalism. During his time in Starkville, he spent a year as an intern working for Mississippi State On SI primarily covering basketball, football, baseball, and soccer while writing, recording, and creating multimedia stories during his tenor. Since graduating, he has assumed the role of lead staff writer for Miami Hurricanes On SI covering football, basketball, baseball, and all things Hurricanes related.
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