Back to Work! Building the '26 Roster

January 20, 2026 | updated 10:00 pm. ET

That’s what Miami head coach Mario Cristobal would say after this amazing but disappointing season. So close.

So, let’s celebrate our young men on a great season and begin the road back to the 2026 College Football Championship.

Let’s start with an inventory of our returning talent, the roster. This is not a depth chart but an early look at the roster going into spring practice.

* true freshmen

** transfer

[alphabetical]

Quarterback: (3) [NEWS... EMORY WILLIAMS ENTERS PORTAL]

Judd Anderson, Dereon Coleman*, Luke Nickel,

Running Back: (5)

CharMar Brown, Mark Fletcher, Jr., Javian Mallory*, Gerald Pringle, Chris Wheatley-Humphrey

Wide Receiver: (10 )

Tyran Evans*, Vandrevius Jacobs**, Joshua Moore, Milan Parris*, Malachi Toney, Joshisa “JoJo” Trader, Vance Spafford*, Daylyn Upshaw, Cam Vaughn**, Somourian Wingo*

Tight End: (7)

Israel Briggs*, Hunter Carver, Jackson Carver, Luka Gilbert, Elija Lofton, Gavin Mueller*, Jack Nickel

Offensive Tackle: (7)

Jackson Cantwell*, Demetrius Campbell, Ben Congdon*, Tommy Kinsler IV, Juan Minaya, Samson Okunlola, Jaden Wilkerson

NOTE: Unknown if Markel Bell will declare for the NFL Draft.

Interior Offensive Linemen: (8) | [NEWS... DERYC PLAZZ ENTERS PORTAL]

Seuseu Alofaituli, Max Buchanan, Joel Ervin*, Nino Francavilla, Matthew McCoy, Canon Pickett*, Rhys Woodrow*, JJ Sparks*

Edge Rusher: (7)

Asharri Charles*, Jordan Campbell*, DeAnthony Lafayette*, Marquise Lightfoot, Hayden Lowe, Booker Pickett, Herbert Scroggins II

NOTE: Unknown if Rueben Bain will declare for NFL Draft.

Defensive Tackle: (8)

Jarquez Carter**, Artavius Jones, Ahmad Moten Sr., Logan Nagle*, Mykah Newton, Justin Scott, Frederic Sainteus*, Keshawn Stancil*

Defensive End: (4)

Tyson Bacon*, Armondo Blount, Isaac Chukwurah*, Cole McConathy II,

Linebacker: (9) | [NEWS... BOBBY WASHINGTON ENTERS PORTAL]

Raul Aguirre Jr., Kamal Bonner, Malik Bryant, Karsten Busch*, Justin Edwards*, Adarius Hayes, Ezekiel Marcelin Jr., Cam Pruitt, Kellen Wiley Jr.

Cornerback: (10) [NEWS... AMARI WALLACE ENTERS PORTAL]

Ja'Boree Antoine, Damari Brown, Chris Ewald Jr., OJ Frederique Jr., Brody Jennings*, Xavier Lucas, Ethan O'Connor Camdin Portis*, Jaelen Waters*, Jontavius Wyman*

Safety: (7)

Dylan Day, JJ Dunnigan*, Bryce Fitzgerald, Ryan Mack, Zechariah Poyser, Cortez Redding*, Omar Thornton**

Kicker/Punter: (2)

Jack Olsen**, Jake Weinberg**

BOTTOM LINE:

The new roster cap is now at 105. At this time, Miami’s roster going into spring practice sits at 88 scholarship players, with remaining needs at quarterback, center, defensive end, linebacker and safety.

CaneReports will monitor and report relevant developments.

GO CANES!