The No. 10 Miami Hurricanes are set to travel to play No. 7 Texas A&M in the first round of the College Football Playoff on Dec. 20 at Kyle Field.
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The winner of the contest will play No. 2 Ohio State in the CFP quarterfinal in the Cotton Bowl on Dec. 31.
Miami’s defense has been a key reason for the team’s run to the CFP. The Hurricanes are ranked No. 11 in total defense, and allowing only 14.8 points per game. Miami allowed 41 points in its final four games of the season, including a 38-7 win over then-No. 22 Pittsburgh to conclude the regular season.
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The Hurricanes recorded 34 sacks during the regular season, with senior Akheem Mesidor leading the team with seven sacks. Miami is set to lose a young player on the defensive line amid the CFP.
Per Pete Nakos of On3, freshman defensive tackle Daylen Russell plans to enter the transfer portal on Jan. 2.
“Miami defensive lineman Daylen Russell plans to enter the transfer portal, his reps @ProdigySG_ tell On3,” Nakos posted on X.
Russell recorded six total tackles, three of which were solo tackles. The six-foot-three, 275-pound athlete is a native of Miami, Florida. He last recorded a tackle in the Hurricanes’ 38-10 win over Syracuse on Nov. 8.
Russell would have struggled to find playing time for Miami in 2026, as the roster is loaded with young talent on the defensive line. Russell is currently listed as the No. 4 nose tackle on the depth chart behind freshman Donta Simpson, sophomore Justin Scott, and senior David Blay.
It’s unclear if Russell intends to continue working with Miami before the transfer portal opens on Jan. 2. The first two potential games for the Hurricanes in the CFP would be before the opening of the transfer window.
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