Was Miami Hurricanes' Mark Fletcher Jr. Disrespected in ACC Running Back Rankings?

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MIAMI, Fla. – Regardless of sport or level, analytics is a controversial aspect. The numbers can say one thing, but the eye test gives a completely different perspective. Although both sides provide helpful insight, a healthy balance between the two is necessary.

However, this list might be an example of how analytics take things to a different level.

According to Pro Football Focus, Miami Hurricanes’ star Mark Fletcher Jr. is the fourth-highest graded returning ACC running back – 86.7. He finished behind Syracuse’s Ahmad Miller (89.9), Duke’s Nate Sheppard (89.5), and Louisville’s Keyjuan Brown (87.7).

The sports analytics company evaluates each player on every play during a football game. It’s worth noting no other ACC running back played in last year’s College Football Playoffs. Meanwhile, Fletcher Jr. rushed 75 times for a record-breaking 507 yards and scored three total  touchdowns in the National Championship run. He went up against the top-two ranked scoring defenses – Ohio State and Indiana – and still produced effectively.

On the year, Fletcher Jr. led the ACC with 1,192 rushing yards. He was one of three backfield products to go over the 1,000 thresmark.

Before the historic postseason run ended, the Fort Lauderdale native made it known he intended to return to the Coral Gables program for a senior season. Fletcher Jr. is the Hurricanes’ consensus top running back. He returns with the same supporting cast as last year – CharMar Brown, Jordan Lyle, and Girard Pringle Jr.

Fletcher Jr. is a 6-2 and 225-pound running back who possess a balance of power and speed.

The 21-year-old came through with several big plays throughout the year, especially in the College Football Playoffs. You can point to the 56-yard dash against Texas A&M in the fourth quarter or the 57-yard touchdowns against Indiana in the National Championship game. The impact goes beyond the stat sheet.

Fletcher Jr. is considered one of the nation’s best running backs ahead of the 2026 college football season. The lights are brighter over him as fall camp approaches. He’s played a pivotal role in rebuilding “The U” to how it’s viewed today. Despite edge rusher Akheem Mesidor and right tackle Francis Mauigoa – both All-Americans and part of the same recruiting class – departing from the program to the NFL, Fletcher Jr. decided to wait on professional football to take care of unfinished business.

The Hurricanes have the most prolific running back in the ACC and arguably the best.

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Anthony Aguirre is the Miami Hurricanes beat writer for Roundtable Sports. Contact info: alexagmu@gmail.com | 305-987-3290 | Follow on Instagram/X: @AnthonyA_Sports

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