Last season's Miami Hurricanes were known for their physicality and toughness on both sides of the football.
While it would be reasonable to assume carryover in style of play from last year, Mario Cristobal was frank when asked about the team identity in 2026.
"You go out there and earn it," Cristobal said during his Monday media availability.
"All the things you put into action from January through now, you go out there and make sure you put it on tape to the best of your abilities."
Friday's season opener at Stanford will give the Hurricanes their first chance to earn an identity.
When I think about what the Hurricanes should aspire to look like this season, I come up with these four pillars:
1: Unrelenting physicality. The Hurricanes will look to add onto last season's toughness with even more consistency throughout the year. Lapses against Louisville and SMU nearly cost the Hurricanes a playoff spot. The way Miami bullied opponents late in the regular season and into the playoffs must remain the standard.
2. "Pick your poison" offense. When the Hurricanes have been at their best under OC Shannon Dawson, they've been able to attack the opposing defense in every way possible. The passing game can pick you apart with QB Darian Mensah and receivers Malachi Toney and Cooper Barkate, OR the running game can wear you down with Mark Fletcher, Marty Brown, Girard Pringle, Jordan Lyle an Javian Mallory. If the opposing DC tries to take away one facet of Miami's attack, they can tear you up with the other.
3. DISCIPLINE. Miami's players are goal-driven and hard-working. Cristobal complimented his team's leaders, saying, "Those guys that have a lot of experience, they have established elite routines." The first part of the discipline goal is to ensure that your coaches and players are physically and mentally prepared for every possible situation. The Canes have done well in this regard. The next part of discipline, though, is still a work in progress. Can the Hurricanes cut the penalties down? Miami was among the nation's most penalized teams in 2025. Some of that is expected when you play as physical as they do, but there are pre-snap and post-snap penalties that can be cut out through extra focus and prep.
4. Havoc on defense. Corey Hetherman's unit ranked top five in scoring defense and ranked near the top nationally in multiple categories. The team was elite in stopping the run, pressuring opposing QB's, and getting off the field on third down. They've put a major emphasis in camp on forcing more turnovers. Plus, they'll have the task of replacing key NFL departures like defensive ends Rueben Bain and Akheem Mesidor and defensive backs Keionte Scott and Jakobe Thomas. The "next man up" mentality will be tested, but I like what I see from DEs Damon Wilson II, Armondo Blount and Marquise Lightfoot. Transfer DB Omar Thornton has thrived in camp.
If these four factors are part of Miami's identity this season, it should shape up to be a fruitful campaign.
