<\/p>\n
Miami Hurricanes offensive lineman Matthew McCoy (78) sets up to block for quarterback Carson Beck (11) during the game against the Florida State Seminoles at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida, on Saturday, October 4, 2025.<\/p>\n
PHOTO BY AL DIAZ<\/p>\n
adiaz@miamiherald.com<\/p>\n
The Miami Hurricanes kick off the 2026 season on Sept. 4 on the road against the Stanford Cardinal (9 p.m., ESPN).<\/p>\n
The Miami Herald is counting down 30 of the most important players on the Hurricanes\u2019 roster, one per day leading up to the season opener, to provide a closer look at the team heading into coach Mario Cristobal\u2019s fifth season.<\/p>\n
Today: The No. 6 player on our list, Matt McCoy.<\/p>\n
What to know<\/p>\n
Position: Offensive lineman<\/p>\n
Hometown: St. Johns, Florida<\/p>\n
Year: Redshirt senior<\/p>\n
How he got to Miami: 2022 recruiting class<\/p>\n
Key stats: 26 starts the past two seasons<\/p>\n
In summary: After being the Hurricanes\u2019 primary left guard the past two seasons, McCoy is now kicking outside to play right tackle as Miami reshapes an offensive line that saw four starters depart from last season. McCoy played about 60% of Miami\u2019s offensive snaps in 2025 while splitting time with Samson Okunlola (who is now projected to be UM\u2019s starting left tackle).<\/p>\n
What they\u2019re saying<\/p>\n
\u201cAt tackle you\u2019ve got to be more mobile, and you\u2019re doing a lot of dancing with guys who are a lot more athletic than you. It\u2019s different, for sure. And going from left to right side, flipping your feet a little different. But I\u2019m getting better. So it\u2019s all working on just keep building my craft.\u201d – McCoy on moving from left guard to right tackle<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re just getting better every day, and it\u2019s just everything we\u2019re doing \u2014 run, pass, everything. We\u2019re just getting better every day technique wise, everything we\u2019re doing. We can\u2019t be satisfied of how good we\u2019re doing this, so we\u2019re just gonna keep getting better.\u201d – McCoy on the offensive line\u2019s progress<\/p>\n