Mario Cristobal, Miami Facing Big Quarterback Decision Ahead of Indiana Game

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Mario Cristobal, Miami Facing Big Quarterback Decision Ahead of Indiana Game

As the Miami Hurricanes prepare for their first national championship appearance in over 20 years, the program will soon need to shift its focus to the 2026 season.

The most concerning issue still pending for next year is Miami’s quarterback situation, which has sparked urgent concern.

After missing out on several top transfer options, including LSU Tigers-bound Sam Leavitt and future pro Ty Simpson — for whom Miami was willing to offer a $6.5 million NIL deal — the Hurricanes are reportedly willing to take extreme measures to fill the most important role on their roster.

Those swings and misses and current quarterback Carson Beck‘s departure for the NFL draft following Monday’s College Football Playoff National Championship game have left Miami scrambling.

According to CBS Sports’ Cody Nagel, Miami is not ruling out contacting quarterbacks who have not formally entered the portal.

“Miami is exploring every option,” Nagel wrote on Wednesday, “including quarterbacks not yet in the portal, with less than 72 hours remaining before the transfer window closes Friday night.”

Simpson, the former Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback, was a high-priority target for the Hurricanes but officially filed his NFL draft paperwork despite fielding record-breaking offers from Miami and the Ole Miss Rebels.

Simpson threw for 3,567 yards and 28 touchdowns this past season, leading the Crimson Tide to the CFP quarterfinals.

Leavitt, meanwhile, was another target high on Miami’s board but signed with LSU and new head coach Lane Kiffin this week after visiting Coral Gables. The Arizona State Sun Devils transfer was ranked No. 1 in the transfer portal by On3.

Miami Hurricanes quarterback Carson Beck (11) reacts after making a play.Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Now, Miami is trying to avoid regression after this season’s trip to the title game helped rebuild the Hurricanes’ status as a college football powerhouse.

Nagel noted the Hurricanes are well aware they cannot afford to regress at quarterback and warned schools with elite quarterbacks, even if those players have not entered the transfer portal — yet.

“Any school that currently rosters a top-20 quarterback in college football would be smart to make sure the ink is dry on their contract,” Nagel wrote. “Standing still at quarterback is the fastest way to slip out of national championship contention.”

Freshman Luke Nickel, redshirt sophomore Emory Williams and others remain on the Hurricanes’ depth chart for 2026, but they don’t have the résumé to lead a playoff-caliber team.

The transfer portal, meanwhile, only features lower-level passers after the latest wave of commitments, with the San Jose State Spartans’ Walker Eget the No. 22 QB to enter the portal this window and the best available option at this point.

Miami will try to claim the sixth national championship in school history when it faces the Indiana Hoosiers at 7:30 p.m. ET Monday on ESPN and the ESPN app.

Related: Mario Cristobal, Miami Miss Out on SEC QB Despite $6.5 Million Offer

Related: Alabama QB Ty Simpson Comments on NIL Offers After Career Decision

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Jan 15, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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