The Miami Hurricanes had an excellent run in the College Football Playoff but fell just short with a 27-21 loss to the Indiana Hoosiers on Monday at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla.
Miami was the No. 10 seed in the CFP, but Mario Cristobal’s team defeated Texas A&M, Ohio State and Ole Miss to get to the title game.
On Thursday, Miami got some excellent news regarding its 2026 roster as star defensive tackle Ahmed Moten Sr. is expected to return, according to 247Sports Miami reporter Gaby Urrutia.
Standout DT Ahmad Moten Sr. is expected to return to Miami for the 2026 season, @247Canes has learned.
— Gaby Urrutia (@GabyUrrutia247) January 22, 2026
The 6-foot-3, 325-pounder finished the 2025 season with 9.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks while starting 14 games.https://t.co/q8AaiRl7Fc pic.twitter.com/eu1KDKz4cj
Miami is quickly trying to add pieces to its roster in the transfer portal, and it already saw backup quarterback Emory Williams leave as he is expected to go to East Carolina.
Miami is rumored to be the favorite for Duke QB Darian Mensah, so the Hurricanes are working quickly to find their replacement for Carson Beck.
Moten, however, was drawing NFL Draft buzz, so there was a thought he would forego his 2026 season and declare for the draft.
Matt Holder of Bleacher Report has Moten ranked at 110 overall, which would put him as a Day 3 pick, potentially, so returning to school for another season could help improve his draft stock.
Moten finished the season with 20 solo tackles and 4.5 sacks, and his return will be a big boost for the Hurricanes in 2026.
