Miami transfer portal movement picking up after title game. Where things stand
The Miami Hurricanes just wrapped up their season with a heartbreaking 27-21 loss to the Indiana Hoosiers in the College Football Playoff National Championship on Monday night.
By Tuesday, they were in full action working to put the finishing touches on their roster for the 2026 season.
The transfer portal waits for no one.
And Miami can now fully invest its time in the future after having to balance the present as well for nearly three weeks following the portal’s initial opening on Jan. 2
This includes external additions and internal departures. Players on Miami and Indiana have until Saturday to enter the transfer portal. Players who were on any other team had to enter the portal by Friday.
Here’s a look at where things stand for the Hurricanes.
Emory Williams transfers
Emory Williams, who has been the Hurricanes’ backup quarterback the past two years, is transferring, according to ESPN.
Williams started two games for Miami as a true freshman after the Hurricanes benched starter Tyler Van Dyke and led UM to a win over Clemson before breaking his arm late in a close loss at Florida State.
He has since been relegated to the bench the past two years. He took a redshirt in 2024 while behind Cam Ward and Reese Poffenbarger and then was Carson Beck’s backup in 2025.
With Miami going to the portal again — aiming to land Duke’s Darian Mensah for 2026 — Williams is seeking a fresh start and a chance to compete. He has two seasons of eligibility remaining. East Carolina has emerged as a likely landing spot.
The Hurricanes still have Judd Anderson, Luke Nickel and incoming freshman Dereon Coleman as scholarship quarterbacks on the roster.
In addition to Williams, six other Hurricanes entered the portal on Tuesday: reserve linebacker Bobby Washington; backup offensive linemen Deryc Plazz, Nino Francavilla and Tommy Kinsler IV; backup defensive lineman Artavius Jones; and freshman defensive back Amari Wallace.
They join seven Miami players who previously entered the portal in defensive linemen Donta Simpson (committed to Missouri) and Daylen Russell (committed to Louisville); wide receivers Ny Carr (committed to Wake Forest), Chane Robinson (committed to NC State) and Ray Ray Joseph (committed to East Carolina); tight end Brock Schott (committed to Indiana); and defensive back Charles Brantley.
Notable visits
The Hurricanes were set to host Missouri edge rusher Damon Wilson II on Tuesday, according to national recruiting website on3.
Wilson led Missouri last season with nine sacks, which ranked tied for third in the Southeastern Conference. He also had 54 quarterback pressures on the season according to Pro Football Focus.
Miami is losing both of its top edge rushers from last season in Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor, both of whom very well could be first-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Hurricanes have internal depth at edge rusher in Marquise Lightfoot, Armondo Blount, Hayden Lowe and Herbert Scroggins III, but getting an experienced player like Wilson to supplement Miami’s youth at the position. Texas Tech and LSU are among the other teams pursuing Wilson.
Additionally, Miami hosted Colorado offensive lineman Jordan Seaton ahead of the title game. Seaton is listed as the top offensive tackle prospect in the portal and the No. 4 player in the portal overall by 247Sports.
The Hurricanes already have six portal commitments this cycle: Wide receivers Cam Vaughn (West Virginia) and Vandrevius Jacobs (South Carolina), defensive back Omar Thornton (Boston College), defensive lineman Jarquez Carter (Ohio State), and kickers Jake Weinberg (Florida State) and Jack Olsen (Northwestern).
This story was originally published January 20, 2026 at 1:44 PM.
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