Hurricanes Turn Heads with High Ranking in Joel Klatt’s Top 25

Spring practice is over. As college football teams prepare for summer workouts, post-spring rankings are popping up all over. 

One such ranking was submitted by college football analyst Joel Klatt of Fox Sports. One team that showed up in Klatt’s rankings was the Miami Hurricanes, coming in at No. 18.

The Hurricanes’ offseason was a little tumultuous. As Cam Ward was headed to the NFL, coach Mario Cristobal lured Georgia quarterback Carson Beck away from Georgia and the 2024 NFL Draft with a $4 million NIL deal.

But Beck injured his elbow against Texas in the Southeastern Conference Championship Game, which ended his season and required surgery. So, he arrived in sunny South Florida unable to throw a football for the entirety of spring practice.

When you pile on with his luxury cars being stolen and his breakup with his girlfriend, Beck’s football focus was a little out of focus. How much “football” shape, mentally and physically, will Beck be in come fall camp remains to be seen.

Miami upgraded in other areas as well, especially in the secondary. Cristobal and his staff went into the transfer portal and secured the services of some talented cornerbacks and safeties, including:

• CB Ethan O’Connor (from Washington State): 4 INTs (1 TD), 32 tackles and 8 pass breakups

• CB Charles Brantley (from Michigan State): 3 INTs (1 TD), 27 tackles, 7 pass breakups

• S Zechariah Poyser (from Jacksonville State): 3 INTs, 75 tackles, 8 pass breakups

Michigan State Spartans defensive back Charles Brantley intercepts a pass intended for Oregon Ducks wide receiver Tez Johnson as the Ducks host the Spartans Friday, Oct. 4, 2024 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore.

© Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Together, this trio combined for 134 tackles, 10 INTs and 23 pass breakups.

Beck and all the Hurricanes will need to be clicking on all cylinders when Week 1 of the 2025 slate arrives. Miami hosts Notre Dame on Aug. 31.