Mario Cristobal, Miami Lose Former 4-Star to Transfer Portal After Indiana Game

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Mario Cristobal, Miami Lose Former 4-Star to Transfer Portal After Indiana Game

The Miami Hurricanes‘ narrow loss to the Indiana Hoosiers in the College Football Playoff national championship game not only ended the Canes’ title hopes but also accelerated Miami’s offseason turnover.

The Hurricanes fell 27-21 to the undefeated Hoosiers at Hard Rock Stadium on Monday night, capping a 13-3 season. Indiana’s historic run featured a 16-0 finish, a Heisman winner in quarterback Fernando Mendoza, and a fourth-down touchdown by the signal caller that sealed the title.

The Hoosiers’ defense pressured Miami quarterback Carson Beck throughout the game, forcing a late interception to clinch the win, and sent Beck home and out of Miami on his way to the draft next April.

By Tuesday, Miami’s transfer portal window was wide open, as players from title-game participants are given five days to submit their paperwork following the standard deadline, and multiple Hurricanes have done so.

Linebacker Malik Bryant became the latest to enter the portal, per On3, doing so with a do-not-contact designation and becoming the 15th Hurricane to hit the open market in this cycle.

Bryant, a former four-star recruit (No. 169 overall and No. 16 linebacker in 247Sports Composite ranks) out of Jones HS in Orlando, FL, appeared in just four games this season for the Hurricanes, registering two tackles. He had also the two prior years in Miami, appearing in four games as a freshman in 2023 after having his breakout season in 2024.

The 2024 campaign marked Bryant’s most productive season in Miami, when he played 12 games and posted 17 total tackles, five TFL, and 1.5 sacks.

Miami Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal.© Melina Myers-Imagn Images

Bryant joins a long list of Hurricanes to enter the portal this cycle, and the latest one to do so since the championship game loss to the Hoosiers.

Defensive lineman Artavius Jones also submitted his name on Tuesday, while others to enter the portal in recent days include Emory Williams, Bobby Washington, and Amari Wallace.

Miami, however, is also reloading through the portal, already having two commitments from fellow four-star players Jarquez Carter from Ohio State and Omar Thornton from Boston College.

Overall, the Hurricanes have secured six portal commitments this cycle and have the 32nd-best class nationally on On3’s ranks.

Related: Major College Football Program Sues Former QB After Transfer Portal Drama

Related: Dan Lanning Makes Unexpected Decision After Jordan Seaton Cancels Oregon Visit

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Jan 21, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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