Following their first ten-win season since 2017, the Miami Hurricanes, led by fourth-year head coach Mario Cristobal, will enter the 2025 season with hopes of being allowed to sit at the big kids table once again. Just 25 years ago, it was The U that sat at the head of that table, having dominated the Big East Conference for much of the previous two decades.
Life in the ACC hasn’t been as kind to the Canes, but things do appear to be heading the right direction. Miami’s roster is loaded with talent and primed to contend for an ACC Title thanks in large part to a transfer portal class that is among the very best in the nation. New faces in Coral Gables include former Georgia quarterback Carson Beck, center James Brockermeyer (TCU), cornerback Xavier Lucas (Wisconsin), and safety Zechariah Poyser (Jacksonville State).
Carson Beck is obviously the biggest name, the largest NIL price tag – roughly $4 million – and likely the most consequential player when evaluating Miami’s chances at winning their first National Title in over two decades, but CBS Sports’ Chris Hummer lays out the case for why former LSU and Liberty wide receiver CJ Daniels is actually the transfer who could swing Miami’s hopes in the College Football Playoff.
“Carson Beck could easily be the answer here. His health and production will determine Miami's championship outlook. But I'd argue who he'll throw to is Miami's biggest question mark,” says CBS Sports’ Chris Hummer. “The onus is on Daniels to emerge as a difference maker. But there are a lot of questions about him entering 2025. He missed most of the spring recovering from offseason foot surgery, and that's coming off a 2024 season in which he disappointed with 42 catches and 480 yards at LSU. Just two years ago Daniels was one of the best receivers in the country for Liberty (55 catches, 1,067 yards, 10 TDs). Miami needs that version of Daniels for Beck to thrive.”
In addition to losing Heisman Trophy candidate, All-American and 1st overall draft pick Cam Ward, the Hurricanes, who led the nation in scoring during the 2024 season, are also without their top six pass catchers from last year. Daniels, who like Beck is a sixth-year Redshirt Senior, will likely be the player tasked with emerging as Beck’s primary target this season. After arriving at Liberty as an unheralded two-star prospect, Daniels now lands in Miami as a four-star transfer.
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