College football fans got an early preview with an exciting Week 0, featuring a top-10 upset in the ACC. As Week 1 approaches, the Miami Hurricanes are entering the season with fresh talent aiming to restore the program’s former glory. ESPN’s Max Olson and Eli Lederman have included four new Miami Hurricanes in their list of the Top 100 Newcomers in College Football.
Miami Hurricanes (@CanesFootball) listed on ESPN's Top 100 Newcomers in CFB:
QB Cam Ward (6th)
DL Tyler Baron (24th)
RB Damien Martinez
WR Samuel Brown— Liam Willerup (@theleftyliam) August 26, 2024
The top-25 newcomers list features the highest-ranked ACC player, quarterback Cam Ward, who transferred from Washington State to Miami, coming in at 6th overall. ESPN highlighted Ward’s impressive journey, noting that after a stellar stint at Incarnate Word and two seasons at Washington State, where he threw for nearly 7,000 yards and 48 touchdowns, Ward faced a tough decision between entering the NFL draft or joining a CFP contender. Ultimately, he chose Miami, and his spring performance was so outstanding that the Hurricanes invested heavily in transfer talent to build around him. They believe Ward’s combination of arm talent, experience, and leadership can make them serious contenders for the ACC title.
Another Hurricane in the top-25 is Tyler Baron, a former Tennessee pass rusher ranked 24th. Originally transferring to Louisville, Baron changed course in the spring portal to join Miami. ESPN praised his impact, noting that after a strong senior season at Tennessee, where he recorded 10.5 tackles for loss and six sacks, Baron became a highly sought-after edge rusher. Miami, bolstering its defensive line for a playoff push, is counting on the 6-foot-5, 260-pound defender to make an immediate impact.
In the offensive playmakers category, running back Damien Martinez, who transferred from Oregon State, leads the group. Martinez earned recognition as one of college football’s top young running backs, securing Pac-12 Offensive Freshman of the Year in 2022 and first-team All-Pac-12 honors last season with 1,185 rushing yards and nine touchdowns. Miami expects him to continue his standout performance, with the potential to be a top pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
The final Miami newcomer featured is wide receiver Samuel Brown, who transferred from Houston to reunite with his former offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson. Brown, who began his career at West Virginia, excelled at Houston with 103 catches for 1,286 yards and seven touchdowns over two seasons. ESPN sees Brown as a valuable addition to Miami’s receiving corps, with the potential to become a top-50 draft pick.
While not listed in the top-100, other key Miami newcomers like Mishael Powell, Elija Lofton, Elijah Alston, and Simeon Barrow Jr. are expected to play significant roles as the Hurricanes aim for a spot in the revamped College Football Playoff.
