Mario Cristobal, Miami Face Major 2026 Question Mark Ahead of National Championship Game
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The Miami Hurricanes are set to play in their first national championship game since the 2002 college football season.
The Hurricanes had a successful 2025 regular season, finishing with a 10-2 record, which allowed them to qualify for the College Football Playoff for the first time in the program’s history. In the playoff, they achieved remarkable victories, defeating the No. 7 seed Texas A&M Aggies 10-3, the No. 2 seed and defending champion Ohio State Buckeyes 24-14 and finally the No. 6 seed Ole Miss Rebels in a thrilling game that they won 31-27 on a touchdown in the final seconds.
As the team gears up for the championship game against the top-seeded Indiana Hoosiers, the coaches are also looking ahead to next season amid the ongoing transfer portal frenzy. According to Pete Nakos from On3, the Hurricanes focused their efforts on recruiting former Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Sam Leavitt to take over for Carson Beck, who is heading to the NFL after this season. However, Leavitt has committed to the LSU Tigers and coach Lane Kiffin instead.
So, the Hurricanes are still trying to figure out their quarterback issue next season. They’ve had success the last two seasons in the transfer portal. Before the 2024 season, they signed Cam Ward, who threw for 4,313 yards, 39 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He then went No. 1 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft. Then this past portal cycle, Miami signed Carson Beck, who threw for 3,581 yards, 29 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. However, they don’t appear to have an answer for next season as the top 21 quarterbacks in the portal have already committed to other schools.
Miami’s recent success has been built on aggressive, well-timed transfer portal quarterback acquisitions, but this offseason presents a different challenge. With Leavitt off the board and the top tier of portal quarterbacks already committed elsewhere, the Hurricanes may be forced to rethink their roster-building strategy at the most important position on the field.
That uncertainty creates immediate ripple effects inside the program. Whether Miami turns to a developing in-house option, explores late-cycle portal additions or revisits the high school recruiting route, the decision will shape offensive identity and expectations coming off a championship-caliber season.
For now, the focus remains on Monday night. Miami will face the top-seeded Indiana Hoosiers in the College Football National Championship, with kickoff set for Monday at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN. What happens under the brightest lights could influence how attractive the Hurricanes look to their next quarterback solution.
Related: Mario Cristobal, Miami Miss Out on SEC QB Despite $6.5 Million Offer
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Jan 16, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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