Mark Fletcher: Miami football RB still texts father a year after death

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Mark Fletcher: Miami football RB still texts father a year after death

The Miami Hurricanes enter the Cotton Bowl and the quarterfinals for the College Football Playoff against Ohio State with a handful of big-name talent. But there may not be a more valuable player to the team, and the program, than Mark Fletcher Jr.

The junior running back from nearby Fort Lauderdale is Miami’s leading rusher, and may well be one of the leaders of the team. Fletcher has scored 10 rushing touchdowns this season, and will be leaned upon to help the Hurricanes advance to the Fiesta Bowl and the College Football Playoff semifinal.

Here’s a closer look at Mark Fletcher Jr., who had 17 carries for 175 yards in the CFP win over Texas A&M on Dec. 20:

Mark Fletcher’s father died in 2024

The running back’s father, Mark Sr., died during last season, just days before Miami’s home game against Florida State. Not only did Fletcher play in that game, he scored a touchdown. The following week, many of Fletcher’s teammates attended the funeral service for “Big Mark,” and a few days after that, Miami hosted Duke.

Again, Fletcher scored a touchdown in that game and was able to honor his father in the touchdown celebration.

As was reported during the telecast for the CFP first-round game at Texas A&M, Fletcher still texts his father’s phone number before every game.

Mark Fletcher was nearly a Buckeye

Fletcher was a four-star prospect and the No. 100 overall recruit in the 2023 class, according to 247Sports. He was once committed to Ohio State, Miami’s Cotton Bowl opponent.

So what happened?

“I felt that I would be most successful if I just stayed home and played for the Hurricanes,” Fletcher said, according to the Columbus Dispatch. “Everything just worked out for me.”

That’s not to say the Buckeyes haven’t been successful recruiting south Florida. Perhaps the best player in scarlet and gray is Jeremiah Smith, the sophomore wide receiver from Chaminade-Madonna High School.

Dec 20, 2025; College Station, TX, USA; Miami Hurricanes running back Mark Fletcher Jr. (4) runs the ball against the Texas A&M Aggies during the second half of the first round game of the CFP National Playoff at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

Mark Fletcher returning for senior season

Hurricanes fans must have been heard rejoicing during the lead-up to the Cotton Bowl, when Fletcher announced he would be returning to Miami for his senior season, passing on the NFL draft.

“Yeah, it’s true. I’m coming back another year,” Fletcher said according to Field Media wire service. “I have another year. You know, I’m a true junior. Another year guaranteed.

“I love this team. I love this organization. I love this culture. And I just want to spend more time with my brothers while I can.”

While it’s too early to truly know — and even that would be a projection — the buzz over Fletcher had him at a Day 2 or 3 draft pick. So why not come back to Miami to try to improve your draft stock, and get paid while doing it?

Mark Fletcher 2025 stats

This season was Fletcher’s first as Miami’s feature running back. And Fletcher responded with 857 yards rushing on 158 carries, a 5.4 yard per carry average. And that’s while missing two games with an injury. He has rushed for over 100 yards in a game four times this season and has not committed a fumble in 2025.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Mark Fletcher: Miami Hurricanes top RB entering Ohio State in CFP

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