From 17 August?

Statistical mega-site Pro Football Focus released its Top 50 players ahead of 2024 season.

39. EDGE Rueben Bain Jr., Miami (FL)​

Bain posted the second-best pass-rush grade in 2023 by any Power Five true freshman since PFF began charting college football in 2014. Three of the other players in the top five are currently among the three best players in the NFL at their respective positions, while the other is the best linebacker in college football.

Highest pass-rushing grades by Power Five true freshmen in PFF College era | Since 2014, min. 150 pass-rushing snaps​

46. WR Xavier Restrepo, Miami (FL)​

Restrepo is the most productive returning slot receiver in college football. His 1,074 receiving yards from that alignment in 2023 were the second most among FBS receivers, behind only Virginia’s Malik Washington, who is now in the NFL. The junior finished this past season with an 87.5 PFF overall grade, ranking seventh among Power Five receivers. He is a reliable chain-mover who should be new quarterback Cam Ward’s best friend.

A look right here:

ESPN spoke with 11 recruiting and player personnel staffers across the Power 4 conferences, from winners across the country to the programs with questions and what comes next in the final months of the 2025 cycle this fall.

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ESPN favors the Gators over the Hurricanes for the season opener.

Miami is ranked 19th in both the AP and Coaches Poll.

The Gators are unranked in both polls.

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ESPN named its top 100 players going into the 2024 season and five hurricanes were named to the list. ​

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97. Jalen Rivers​

OL, Miami, Junior
2023 stats: 11 pressures allowed, 2 sacks allowed
2023 ranking: NR

Rivers is widely considered a potential first-round draft pick next year, but for now, he's locking down Miami QBs' blind side. Rivers allowed just 11 pressures and two sacks on 847 snaps at left tackle last season, while posting a 1.9% blown block rate that ranked second among ACC left tackles.

66. Xavier Restrepo​

WR, Miami, Senior
2023 stats: 85 receptions, 1,092 receiving yards, 6 TDs
2023 ranking: NR

Restrepo caught at least five passes in 10 of Miami's 13 games last season, finishing with 85 grabs for 1,092 yards and six touchdowns despite a revolving door at QB. Restrepo was Miami's safety blanket in the passing game, dominating the slot, including three games with at least 11 catches. Restrepo was just the second Miami receiver with at least 1,000 yards in a season in the playoff era.

56. Cam Ward​

QB, Miami, Senior
2023 stats: 3,735 yards, 25 TDs, 5 INTs
2023 ranking: 52

One of the biggest reasons expectations around Miami have skyrocketed is the addition of Ward, one of the most prolific passers in the country over the past several seasons. In two years at Washington State, Ward threw for 6,963 passing yards, 48 touchdowns and 16 interceptions, while adding 13 rushing touchdowns. He expects to do more at Miami.

46. Damien Martinez​

RB, Miami, Junior
2023 stats: 194 carries, 1,185 yards, 9 TDs
2023 ranking: 92

Martinez was the highest-profile player to enter the transfer portal after spring practice, and he fills an obvious need for the Hurricanes heading into a crucial year. Last season at Oregon State, Martinez ran for 1,185 yards with nine touchdowns, averaging 6.1 yards a carry. Now, he joins quarterback Cam Ward and a slew of other transfers hoping to be difference-makers for the Canes.

43. Rueben Bain Jr.​

DE, Miami, Sophomore
2023 stats: 44 tackles, 7.5 sacks, 12.5 TFLs
2023 ranking: 94

Bain had a somewhat slow start to his freshman campaign, managing just 1.5 tackles for loss in his first five games. But when the switch flipped, he was borderline unstoppable. Over his final eight games, Bain racked up 17 tackles at or behind the line of scrimmage, a 12% pressure rate, six sacks and 27 pressures -- including nine from the interior.


Miami opens its season on August 31st at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium against the rival Florida Gators.

Right here:

and Miami is in the mix for several here

Updated 2025 Rivals250

Five-Star Countdown: Rankings Week for 2025 class kicks off

Meet the seven new five-stars

Tuesdays with Gorney: Position by position

Rivals Rankings Week: Ten biggest risers in the Rivals250

A look at all the five-stars now in the 2025 class:

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He talks about being a new five-star and more:

https://youtu.be/8gMV9GWGbZE

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Here are some additional notes from scrimmage No. 1:

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Hearing Miami is the clear leader here and a decision could come soon

In ESPN's ACC betting preview, the Hurricanes are receiving some high praise.

The Clemson Tigers are the second pick at +375. Florida State (30-1), Clemson (50-1), and the Miami Hurricanes (40-1) are among the top 15 teams in terms of odds to win the title.

ESPN's Joe Fortenbaugh's favorite: Miami OVER 9.5 wins (+135)​

This is a good buy-low spot on a Hurricanes team that disappointed in a big way last year with a 7-6 record that featured six defeats over the program's final nine games. That collapse motivated head coach Mario Cristobal to hit the portal harder than ever before, and he ended up scoring two highly coveted prizes in Washington State quarterback Cam Ward and Oregon State running back Damien Martinez. This year's schedule sets up incredibly well for a bounce-back season, as the Florida State game takes place in Coral Gables, and the road slate offers up Florida, South Florida, California, Louisville, Georgia Tech, and Syracuse. That's not going to conjure up any nightmares, especially when you consider the fact that the only back-to-back road dates (at California, at Louisville) feature a bye week between them.


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ESPN's ACC Preview mentioned Miami and its players on several occasions.

Andrea Adelson writes:

In the running for an ACC Championship



Aside from the two co-favorites (Miami and Florida State), the biggest name in the mix is Miami. The Hurricanes pushed all their chips to the middle of the table this offseason, landing a host of talent via the transfer portal, including quarterback Cam Ward and running back Damien Martinez. There's a strong case to be made that the Canes are the most talented team in the league—it's just that talent hasn't always translated to wins in Coral Gables.

Don't forget about NC State, however. The Wolfpack also cleaned up in the portal, adding quarterback Grayson McCall, tailback Jordan Waters, receiver Noah Rogers, and tight end Justin Joly, giving Dave Doeren perhaps his most potent offense since he arrived in 2014. An accommodating schedule also sets up nicely for the Pack. The problem, of course, is that this is a program that has won 10 games just once in its history.


Impact Freshman

Elija Lofton, TE, Miami: The Hurricanes signed another top recruiting class, but the player who has drawn early raves as someone who can make an impact early is Lofton, an ESPN 300 prospect who enrolled early and was there for spring practice. Miami, which has a long and storied tight end tradition, could use him in various ways thanks to his versatility. He played running back in the spring game, for example, to help provide some depth. Coach Mario Cristobal has not shied away from praising Lofton, either.


Our Favorite Players

Rueben Bain Jr., DE, Miami: Will quarterback Ward make some plays on offense this season? Absolutely. But Bain will be the player to watch on defense after a terrific freshman debut last season. Bain had 12.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks, in addition to 44 tackles, and is poised for more in 2024.


Games to Watch

Miami vs. Florida, Aug. 31: There is no denying the stakes on the line for both teams. Florida coach Billy Napier and Miami coach Cristobal each enter Year 3 facing rabid fan bases eager to win and win now. Headed into the season, the Canes appear to be far better positioned to make a statement in 2024 -- making this an even bigger high-stakes game.


Florida State at Miami, Oct. 26: Miami has designs on playing for a championship this year, and to do that, the Canes will have to get past the Noles. Florida State has won three straight on its rival, including a 45-3 victory the last time they played in Miami, in Year 1 under Cristobal. That game has not been forgotten.

Power rankings​

1. Florida State: The defending ACC champion begins where it left off last season, although a revamped offense will give the Noles a new look heading into 2024.

2. Clemson: Although there are questions about the offense, the defense should be stout once again, with Peter Woods, T.J. Parker, and Barrett Carter leading the way.

3. Miami: Yes, there is a question every year about Miami and whether this will be the year it returns to the national stage. But the pieces are in place for the Canes to make a run this year.

4. NC State: With McCall and a host of other transfers on offense, the Wolfpack have one of the most talented teams in the ACC headed into the season.

5. Virginia Tech: The Hokies closed last season with wins in three of their final four games, scoring more than 40 points in all the victories. With just about everyone back, expectations are high.

6. Louisville: Not many people are talking about Jeff Brohm's team after an ACC championship game appearance in 2023, but don't sleep on the Cards. If Tyler Shough can stay healthy at quarterback, Louisville will be in contention once again.

7. North Carolina: Keep an eye on the Tar Heels as a sleeper team in the ACC, even without Drake Maye. Running back Omarion Hampton leads the way, and the defense should be far improved.

8. SMU: The Mustangs are set up for success right out of the gate in Year 1 in the ACC, with a high-powered offense returning. But how they'll hold up on the offensive and defensive lines is the biggest mystery.

9. Syracuse: There is renewed energy and excitement surrounding the Syracuse program with first-year coach Fran Brown and a large number of high-profile transfers leading the way, starting with quarterback Kyle McCord.

10. Cal: The Bears have a preseason All-American candidate in running back Jaydyn Ott and are on a quest this season to show they can elevate their play.

11. Georgia Tech: The Jackets return their biggest playmakers on offense, starting with quarterback Haynes King, but once again are saddled with one of the toughest schedules in the ACC.

12. Pitt: Coach Pat Narduzzi believes the Panthers have found a quarterback in Nate Yarnell, who takes over as the starter running the lightning-fast offense Cade Bell brings with him from Western Carolina.

13. Duke: Manny Diaz inherits a talented roster and a team that has won 17 games over the past two years but has retooled offensive and defensive lines and a competition at quarterback.

14. Boston College: Quarterback Thomas Castellanos said the hiring of Bill O'Brien as head coach "is the best thing that ever happened to me." He and the rest of the offense believe O'Brien can develop the Eagles into more consistent winners.

15. Wake Forest: Last year was an anomaly for Dave Clawson and the program he has built in Winston-Salem. The Demon Deacons have an ongoing quarterback competition but should be far better on that side of the ball.

16. Virginia: The Cavaliers lost five games by a touchdown or less, and they return a solid young group that could move up. Their schedule, however, does them no favors.

17. Stanford: There have been growing pains for Stanford under second-year coach Troy Taylor, but the Cardinal return talent -- including All-Pac-12 receiver Elic Ayomanor.

ESPN's Bill Connelly named the 25 most important players in 2024's College Football Playoff race. Cam Ward came in ranked 8th.​

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Is this the year Miami finally becomes nationally relevant and matches or exceeds preseason expectations?