The 2025 college football season marked the rise of a major brand in the sport, as the Miami Hurricanes made their first appearance in the College Football Playoff, finishing the season with a record of 13- 3.
This was the second consecutive double-digit win season for head coach Mario Cristobal. The team achieved notable victories against the Texas A&M Aggies, Ohio State Buckeyes and Ole Miss Rebels on their journey to the national championship game, where they ultimately lost to the Indiana Hoosiers with a score of 27-21.
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Cristobal is hopeful that this isn’t just a one-time success but rather the norm for the program. He is working towards this goal through recruiting. Currently, his team is well-positioned to secure five-star offensive tackle Mark Matthews, who is ranked as the No. 3 player in the 2027 recruiting class, according to Rivals and 247Sports.
Miami Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal takes the field.Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
(Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports)
“Miami continues to set the pace for the Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) St. Thomas Aquinas standout but Texas A&M remains the biggest challenger, and it’s now Georgia generating buzz as another program in this recruitment,” Rivals’ Steve Wiltfong wrote. “Matthews is intrigued by Notre Dame and Tennessee, and has also recently mentioned Florida, LSU and Oregon.”
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The immediate ripple effect of landing Matthews would extend far beyond the offensive line room for the Miami Hurricanes. After a 13-3 season and a national championship appearance, Cristobal has positioned Miami as a legitimate national brand again. Securing the No. 3 overall player in the 2027 class would reinforce that the Hurricanes are not simply capitalizing on one playoff run; they are building sustained momentum.
Competition remains fierce. Programs like the Texas A&M Aggies and Georgia Bulldogs are pushing hard, while other top programs, such as the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Tennessee Volunteers, continue to monitor the recruitment closely. Matthews’ profile as an elite tackle prospect fits perfectly with Cristobal’s philosophy of building from the trenches outward, a foundational trait of championship-caliber programs.
Looking ahead, Miami’s loss to the Hoosiers in the title game could serve as motivation rather than discouragement. Turning a CFP appearance into elite recruiting wins is often the clearest indicator of a program’s staying power. If Cristobal secures Matthews, it would signal that Miami’s resurgence is not a moment; it’s a movement.
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This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Feb 23, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.