The Miami Hurricanes had a strong showing in the 2026 NFL Draft. Not only did Miami have a trio of first round picks — OT Francis Mauigoa, EDGE Rueben Bain Jr., and EDGE Akheem Mesidor — but the Canes had nine total draft picks. That was tied for third most in the country, and tied for second most in a single draft in program history.
Nine Hurricanes, Nine Stories: Miami’s 2026 NFL Draft Class is the Best in Two Decades…Final Miami Hurricanes tall (9 draftees, 2 UDFA):MauigoaBainMesidorBeckBellThomasScottCooperDanielsBrockermeyerBissainthe@TheStateOfTheU https://t.co/2EcCBwg8kV
2026 NFL Draft – Most Picks by College#GoCanes pic.twitter.com/jZbrYUR8oP
Most Players Selected in 7 Round Draft Format#GoCanes pic.twitter.com/VFxe1IxztK
As we turn the clock to the 2026 CFB season, let’s take a second and make a quick list of the players on this roster who figure to be the next crop of Canes selected for the 2027 NFL Draft.
After having the number one overall pick in 2025 (Cam Ward), Miami backed that up with a trio of first rounders in 2026 (Mauigoa, Bain, Mesidor). With the combination of elite talent acquisition and dynamic player development, the expectation is and should be that Miami continues to have multiple first round picks every single year.
Quiet as its kept, Miami is becoming one of the premier destinations for quarterbacks again. Once known as “Quarterback U”, the recent run figures to continue with new starter Darian Mensah.
A talented 6’3” 205lb passer, Mensah brings top tier talent to the U. The California native had a breakout 2024 season at Tulane, posting 2723 passing yards on 65.9% completions, with 22 touchdowns and 6 interceptions. Mensah led Tulane to a 9-2 start before injuries and tough competition (and his departure before the bowl game) saw the Green Wave drop their final 3 games.
After that season, Mensah moved to Duke for 2025. And there, playing for former Miami coach Manny Diaz, Mensah took his game to another level. 3,973 yards passing on 66.8% completions with 34 touchdowns and 6 interceptions. For his efforts, Mensah was named 2nd team All-ACC. Mensah was 2nd nationally in passing yards, and tied for 2nd in touchdown passes. So yeah, that’s pretty decent.
Now, Mensah makes the move to the big stage to play for Miami. This is a team with championship aspirations, and he honestly represents an upgrade at QB over last year’s starter Carson Beck, and if Mensah has the kind of season he had last year, or better, then he will easily be in the conversation as a 1st round pick for 2027.
Miami just had a pair of edge rushers picked in the first round, and they could very well add another with Wilson II. A veteran player with prior stops at Georgia and Mizzou, Wilson II looks to be the next in that line.
Wilson II had a breakout year at Mizzou last year, posting 9.5 TFLs, 9 sacks, an interception and a fumble recovery. He’s a dynamic, athletic edge rusher and he will benefit from the tutelage of Jason Taylor to take his game to new heights.
Akheem Mesidor went from a probable 7th round pick to actual 1st round pick after a healthy senior season at Miami. With Wilson already on the radar with a higher initial projection, the path is clear for him to end up as another first round pick for the Canes.
A 5-star recruit in the 2024 recruiting class, Scott has all the talent in the world. A sturdy and explosive 6’4” 303lb tackle, Scott can easily take over drives and games when he wants to. There’s been flashes of his elite talent — when he puts it all together and is unblockable — but there’s also been times where the absence of such impact is noticeable.
Along with the next player on this list, if Scott has a strong season and continues to raise the level of his performance, he could easily land in the first round of the 2027 draft. He can stop the run, collapse the pocket, get to the quarterback, and more. Miami fought tooth-and-nail to get Scott, and he is in prime position to take a big step forward on the field this year, and then into the draft.
A powerful 6’2” 225lb back, Fletcher Jr. could work his way into the conversation for a top 4 round pick in 2027.
With more than 2300 yards and 28 TDs in 3 years, Fletcher Jr. has proven himself to be a valuable RB on a dynamic and explosive offense. He improved his statistics each year and is now the featured back in Miami’s offense. Fletcher Jr. could have gone to the draft this year, but elected to return for his senior season. He’s among the best backs in the country, and will likely be one of the top backs picked next April. While I don’t think he has the explosive athleticism of other backs that have been taken in the 1st round recently, Fletcher should easily slot in as a 2nd or 3rd round pick.
There are some who like Moten Sr. more than Scott…and I get it. He’s developed at an incredible rate, and is now a standout starter on Miami’s defense. Moten routinely makes game-changing plays, and his impact can be felt even when he doesn’t make a tackle himself.
Moten really took a star turn through last year’s College Football Playoffs, and the expectation is that he continues his ascension this upcoming season. Miami’s defense was noticeably different when Moten was off the field, so his healthy return from an ankle injury sustained in the CFP which kept him out this spring will be essential for Miami’s team success, and his draft fortunes as well. There’s a chance that, with a strong season, Moten Sr. could elevate into the first round, but I think he projects more in the 40-60 range (early 2nd to 3rd).
An uber talented defensive back, Lucas has all the traits of a high round draft pick. A 6’2” 198lb corner, Lucas has the height, length, and athletic profile of a high caliber defender. The Wisconsin transfer immediately stepped into the lineup for Miami in 2025, and looks to take his game to another level in 2026.