Miami Hurricanes Football Freshman Most Likely to Surprise Everyone This Season
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Entering Fall Camp, the Miami Hurricanes don't have too many questions that need to be answered. The starting quarterback, wide receiver depth, secondary, linebackers, defensive line, and running backs are already set.
A clear guess can be made about who is starting on the offensive line, but it hasn't been a worry for the Canes camp because Mario Cristobal and Alex Mirabal are leading the charge. However, a few interesting stories are developing.
Over the past two seasons, star freshmen have stolen the show time and time again, but for the 2026 class, some are already projected to be starters. Jackson Cantwell is the projected starting left tackle for the Canes, while their receiving class will have to wait their turn behind some of the best transfers in the country.
However, there can be a surprise in some of the rooms from the top 10 recruiting class. But if there were a choice to pick one, who would be the surprising talent of the bunch?
Tight end U. The Hurricanes have coined the phrase for years, but last season didn't go as planned in that market.
The year before, one of Cam Ward's favorite targets was Elijah Arroyo, who went on to be a second-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Under Carson Beck, that usage dropped, with the most yardage coming from Elija Lofton (218 yards).
Under Darian Mensah, that should flip on its head. At Tulane and Duke, some of his favorite targets were his tight ends, giving them plenty of goal-line usage and advantages because of their size and speed.
Lofton is expected to be the No. 1 tight end and should have a massive season for his junior campaign. However, don't be shocked if the No. 7 tight end in the 2026 class, Gavin Mueller, shines this season as well.
The four-star recruit stands at 6-foot-5, and it one of the best pure pass catchers on the team. However, his pass protection is one of the key things that will allow him to get more playing time this season. It could also help with some of the offensive schemes being drawn up for him to get opportunities with the ball.
Luka Gilbert is the projected backup this season, thanks to his solid blocking during his playing time last season, but having more offensive threats on the team isn't always a bad thing with a quarterback who is tight-end-reliant.
Mueller is already viewed as a freak athlete, the same type of talent that has taken over for the Canes over the past two seasons during their resurgence as being nationally relevant and real contenders.
The freshman has a chance to do something special and highlight the recruiting staff at Miami this season with his play on the field.
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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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