Miami Hurricanes defensive lineman Ahmad Moten Sr. (99) reacts after tackling Indiana Hoosiers running back Roman Hemby (1) in the first half of the College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, on Monday, January 19, 2026.
PHOTO BY AL DIAZ
adiaz@miamiherald.com
The Miami Hurricanes kick off the 2026 season on Sept. 4 on the road against the Stanford Cardinal (9 p.m., ESPN).
The Miami Herald is counting down 30 of the most important players on the Hurricanes’ roster, one per day leading up to the season opener, to provide a closer look at the team heading into coach Mario Cristobal’s fifth season.
Today: The No. 5 player on our list, Ahmad Moten Sr.
What to know
Position: Defensive tackle
Hometown: Fort Lauderdale
Year: Redshirt senior
How he got to Miami: 2022 recruiting class
Key stats: 31 tackles, nine tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks in 2025
In summary: Moten has gone from three-star prospect to potential first-round pick during his career with the Miami Hurricanes. He became a full-time starter last season on the Hurricanes’ run to a National Championship Game and will be relied upon heavily as Miami attempts to play for a title again this year.
What they’re saying
“It just shows you that hard work pays off. You don’t have to transfer because something’s not going your way. You just put your head down and go work.” – Moten on staying the course at Miami despite not playing much early in his career
“He epitomizes what college football used to be. We still see bits and pieces of it, but what it should be: It’s development. You never know when a guy’s gonna pop. And he’s been popping the last year and a half or so.” – Miami coach Mario Cristobal
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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.