Miami Hurricanes quarterback Darian Mensah (10) passes during UM’s spring football game at Cobb Stadium on the University of Miami campus in Coral Gables, Florida, on Saturday, April 18, 2026.
PHOTO BY AL DIAZ
adiaz@miamiherald.com
The Miami Hurricanes were well represented on the preseason All-Atlantic Coast Conference team, released by the league on Wednesday, including having the conference’s preseason player of the year for the second time in three seasons.
That preseason player of the year: Quarterback Darian Mensah, Miami’s third transfer quarterback in as many seasons. Mensah comes to Miami from Duke, where last season he completed 66.8% of his passes for 3,973 yards and 34 touchdowns against six interceptions while leading the Blue Devils to an ACC championship. Of 188 voters, 97 had Mensah as their preseason player of the year.
Mensah is also one of seven Miami players named to the ACC’s preseason all-conference team.
The Miami players joining Mensah:running back Mark Fletcher Jr., wide receiver Malachi Toney (who was also named to the team for all-purpose back and return specialist), guard Samson Okunlola, defensive tackle Ahmad Moten Sr., linebacker Mohamed Toure and safety Bryce Fitzgerald.
Fletcher is coming off a junior season in which he ran for 1,192 yards and 12 touchdowns, including going for 507 yards across four College Football Playoff games.
Toney set Hurricanes single-season records for catches (109) and receiving yards (1,211) while also hauling in 10 touchdowns as a true freshman in 2025.
Okunlola split time at left guard last season with Matt McCoy and is projected to be Miami’s full-time starter at the position this year with McCoy set to slide out to right tackle.
Moten, heading into his redshirt senior season, worked his way to being a full-time starter in 2025. He finished the season with 31 tackles, nine tackles for loss and four-and-a-half sacks, while Pro Football Focus credited him with 27 quarterback pressures.
Fitzgerald led Miami and was tied for second nationally with six interceptions as a freshman despite not being a full-time starter. He’s expected to be a starter in 2026, either at safety or nickel corner.
Toure led Miami with 84 tackles last season, including 30 during the team’s four College Football Playoff games.
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Miami Herald
Jordan McPherson covers the Miami Hurricanes and Florida Panthers for the Miami Herald. He attended the University of Florida and covered the Gators athletic program for five years before joining the Herald staff in December 2017.