Cristobal explains juggling playoffs with portal, as two prospects visit
The impact of college football’s chaotic and crazy calendar has been on display in Miami’s football offices this week, as many Canes officials work on preparing UM for its Thursday playoff semifinal game against Mississippi, while others navigate a transfer portal that opened for business early Friday morning. Some employees are juggling both.
“The calendar is not ideal,” Mario Cristobal said at a Saturday news conference. “It doesn’t make much sense. Have a different perspective now that we’re in the playoffs. You see some of the challenges that come up with this. There has to be a solution. I don’t have one right now except wake up and work hard.”
According to 247 Sports’ Gaby Urrutia, the Canes hosted at least two portals visitors on Saturday: Boston College defensive back Omar Thornton and South Carolina receiver Vandrevius Jacobs.
Jacobs caught 39 passes for 548 yards (17.1 per reception) and four touchdowns in 2025. The 6-0 receiver from Fort Pierce played his freshman season at FSU in 2023 and has 44 catches for 729 yards for the Gamecocks over the past two seasons.
Thornton, who attended Plantation American Heritage, had two sacks, an interception and four forced fumbles as a BC sophomore last season. His 56 solo tackles were third in the ACC.
Meanwhile, 247 Sports’ Allen Trieu reported that Colorado defensive lineman transfer Brandon Davis-Swain is visiting Texas A&M and has visits “in the works” with UM, Georgia Tech and Mississippi State. He had 15 sacks, 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble in limited playing time this season.
Though On3.com’s Hayes Fawcett reported that Pittsburgh’s Rasheem Biles would visit UM on Saturday, Urrutia said that’s not the case.
Biles is rated by on3.com as the No. 1 linebacker in the transfer portal.. The 6-1, 215-pound sophomore was a second-team All ACC linebacker this season and had 85 tackles (second in the ACC), 12 tackles for loss (third in the ACC), 2.5 sacks and two interceptions (both returned for touchdowns). UM needs a 2026 replacement for Wesley Bissainthe, whose eligibility will expire after the playoffs.
The Canes quickly identified Cincinnati quarterback Brendan Sorsby as a top target and made an offer, according to a source. But while Sorsby has given thought to UM, he decided to visit Texas Tech on Friday and LSU later this weekend before deciding whether to give further consideration to the Canes or pick between the Red Raiders and Tigers. He threw 27 touchdowns and five interceptions last season.
The Canes also have done a lot of work on Arizona State’s Sam Leavett, but he seems to have zeroed in on Kentucky and was there late Friday, watching film with coaches.
Other quarterbacks in the portal include TCU’s Josh Hoover (Indiana has been considered a front-runner, with Kentucky and Louisville also reportedly in the mix), USF’s Byrum Brown (Auburn the favorite), Iowa State’s Rocco Becht (Penn State reportedly the favorite), and UF’s DJ Lagway (who’s visiting FSU), among many others. Top veteran quarterbacks are now commanding $4 million or more in the portal.
Canes offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson has high regard for backup Emory Williams, but the program wants to explore adding a high-end veteran starter after going that direction with Cam Ward and Carson Beck the past two years. Sorsby fits that bill.
If they cannot, they could add a veteran to compete with Williams and Luke Nickel. Also on scholarship at QB for Miami: Judd Anderson and incoming freshman Dereon Coleman.
Other portal players at other positions who have been linked to Miami, per 247 and On3.com, include NC State receiver Terrell Anderson (39 catches for 629 yards); Florida edge player Jayden Woods; Minnesota safety Koi Perich (played for UM defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman); linebackers Khmori House (UNC) and Kobie McKinzie (Oklahoma).
Unlike past years, there is only one window for players to enter the portal (Jan. 2-16), though they can sign with schools at any time. Linebacker, defensive end, tight end and wide receiver are four portal needs for UM, besides quarterback. Defensive tackle is a need and could become a bigger one if Ahmad Moten turns pro.
UM so far has lost six sparingly-used players to the transfer portal: tight end Brock Schott; defensive tackles Donta Simpson and Daylen Russell and receivers Ny Carr, Chance Robinson and Nathaniel Joseph.
Speaking in general of portal departures, Cristobal said: “You do what’s best for the team and you always do what’s best for the players. Every player has a different situation. We have always done the right thing by people and taken the high road.
“Some guys get in the portal because at a particular position [because] playing time will be tough to come around. Other guys, we have to have them go to a place where it more fits their style. We have a certain culture you adhere and we don’t stray from that. And that’s OK. You don’t judge it. You don’t. People deserve opportunities because you never know when it’s going to click for them.... We help them find a spot to continue their education and what they all want to do, which is play football.”
Players on the two teams in the Jan. 19 national championship game at Hard Rock Stadium will have the ability to enter the portal between Jan. 20 and 24, after it ends for everybody else.
This story was originally published January 3, 2026 at 4:01 PM.
