Miami is prominently featured by 247 Sports on their list of lesser-known Power Four players primed for huge 2026 seasons.
Four Hurricanes appear on the list, making Miami the ACC’s co-leader, along with Clemson.
Authors Chris Hummer and Matt Zenitz polled dozens of college football sources to predict this season’s breakout stars.
The four Canes who made the cut are defensive lineman Armondo Blount, safety JJ Dunnigan, defensive tackle Justin Scott, and edge rusher Marquise Lightfoot.
A quote from their anonymous source on Blount should have every Miami fan ready to run through a brick wall.
“He’s a f–king savage. Violence, twist, explosive. Limitless gas tank.”
Blount recorded 17 tackles and 2.5 sacks in a limited role last season, playing behind Rueben Bain and Akheem Mesidor. The former five-star recruit has the versatility to play inside and out at 6-foot-4, 265 pounds. My own sources within the program have raved to me about Blount’s progress through spring football and the offseason program. He can maximize his impact with increased snaps this season. 247 is right to put him on their list.
Dunnigan was constantly grabbing my attention during spring ball. He’s a ball hawk and a tremendous athlete. He looks primed to earn a rotational role as a true freshman. Dunnigan can contribute at safety or nickel.
Lightfoot was one of the primary backups at defensive end last year and recorded 25 total tackles with 2.5 sacks. He plays stronger than you’d expect with his 230-pound frame. Speed is his greatest weapon, and we can anticipate Lightfoot stepping into a prominent role.
The remaining choice, Justin Scott, arguably already had his breakout in Miami’s final stretch of games last season. He moved into a starting role in November when outgoing senior defensive tackle David Blay struggled with injury. Scott, like Blount and Lightfoot, is a former five-star recruit from the Class of 2024. He had 26 total tackles, 6.5 TFL, and a sack. Scott will likely start on the interior defensive line next to senior Ahmad Moten.
Who did they miss?
I agree with Hummer and Zenitz’s four Miami selections, but I can see some additional players making a big step forward this year and breaking out.
Sophomore wideout Joshua Moore is the first name that comes to my mind. At 6-foot-4 and 215-plus pounds, Moore has shown in practice the physicality to grab contested balls and the speed to cement himself as a number-one receiving option. He had an up-and-down freshman season with limited playing time. His breakout game against USF, with three catches for 61 yards and two touchdowns, showed us all what he’s capable of. If Moore can establish consistency, he can be unstoppable.
My next nominee is sophomore offensive lineman Max Buchanan. He’s a road grader with an endless motor. I expect the 6-foot-4, 310-pounder to take over the starting right guard role left behind by NFL draftee Anez Cooper.
I have strong conviction about Moore and Buchanan breaking out this year, but there are a handful of others I will be watching.
Junior running back Jordan Lyle will have the opportunity to bounce back after an injury-affected 2025. The same goes for third-year tight end Elija Lofton.
Sophomore linebacker Kellen Wiley Jr. is a personal favorite of mine. At 6-foot-4, 235 pounds, he’s built like a "create-a-player" version of what the ideal linebacker should look like. Wiley will compete for extended playing time, and so will third-year linebacker Cameron Bobby Pruitt. Pruitt excels with his speed and explosiveness.
Josh Moore isn’t the only receiver on my radar. I could pinpoint several others, especially sophomore Daylyn Upshaw. Upshaw has attacked the offseason, showing constant growth as a player and spending extra time bonding with quarterback Darian Mensah.
Who did we miss? Tell me which lesser-known Canes you expect to have a breakout campaign in 2026.
