Nine notable stats as nine Miami Hurricanes selected in 2026 NFL Draft
It was a successful 2026 NFL Draft for the Miami Hurricanes.
Nine Hurricanes players heard their names over the course of the three-day, seven-round draft that wrapped up on Saturday.
The full list of Hurricanes drafted: Offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa (No. 10, New York Giants), edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. (No. 15, Tampa Bay Buccaneers), edge rusher Akheem Mesidor (No. 22, Los Angeles Chargers), quarterback Carson Beck (No. 65, Arizona Cardinals), offensive lineman Markel Bell (No. 68, Philadelphia Eagles), safety Jakobe Thomas (No. 98, Minnesota Vikings), defensive back Keionte Scott (No. 116, Buccaneers), offensive lineman Anez Cooper (No. 188, New York Jets) and wide receiver CJ Daniels (No. 197, Los Angeles Rams).
In recognition of the team’s nine selections, here are nine notable facts about the Hurricanes’ draft run this year:
1.) The Hurricanes had three first-round selections for the first time since 2007 (Brandon Meriweather, Jon Beason and Greg Olsen) and the eighth time overall. UM had a school-record six first-round picks in 2004 as well as five in 2002, four in both 2001 and 2003, and three in 1987 and 1997.
In terms of specific positions, Maugioa is the sixth Hurricanes offensive lineman to be selected in the first round, while Bain and Mesidor are the eighth and ninth UM defensive ends/edge rushers taken in the first round.
The three first-round picks trailed only Ohio State’s four in this year’s draft.
2.) With quarterback Cam Ward going No. 1 overall last year, this mark the first time Miami has had back-to-back drafts with top-10 picks since a four-year run from 2002-2005 (Bryant McKinnie at No. 7 in 2002; Andre Johnson at No. 3 in 2003; Sean Taylor at No. 5 and Kellen Winslow at No. 6 in 2004; Antrel Rolle at No. 8 in 2005).
3.) The Hurricanes also had six players selected within the first 100 for first time since 2006. The six that year: Kelly Jennings at No. 31, Rocky McIntosh at No. 35, Sinorice Moss at No. 44, Devin Hester at No. 57, Eric Winston at No. 66 and Rashad Butler at No. 89.
4.) The Hurricanes’ nine players picked are the most for the school in a single draft since also having nine players taken in 2017. However, in that draft, only one player was taken within the first three rounds: David Njoku at No. 29 to the Browns. The 2017 class also had one fourth rounder (Rayshawn Jenkins), two fifth rounders (Corn Elder and Danny Isidora), two sixth rounders (Al-Quadin Muhammad and Brad Kaaya) and three seventh rounders (Stacy Coley, Adrian Colbert and Marquez Williams).
5.) Miami’s nine selections tied for the fourth-most among all colleges this year. Only Ohio State (11), Texas A&M (10) and Alabama (10) had more total players drafted.
6.) The Hurricanes’ nine draftees tied with the Clemson Tigers for the most in the Atlantic Coast Conference. No other ACC school had more than four players selected.
7.) The Hurricanes had three offensive linemen taken in the same draft for the first time since 2002 (McKinnie at No. 7, Martin Bibla at No. 116, Joaquin Gonzalez at No. 227).
8.) With Beck drafted this year and Ward drafted last year, this marks the first time the Hurricanes had quarterbacks selected in consecutive drafts since Craig Erickson went No. 86 overall in 1992 and Gino Torretta went No. 192 in 1993. With Darian Mensah at quarterback for Miami in 2026, a third consecutive season with a quarterback being selected is likely.
9.) In the age of constant roster turnover via the transfer portal, it’s worth noting that three of Miami’s picks, including its top two in Mauigoa and Bain, were homegrown players who signed with Miami out of high school and played their entire college career with the Hurricanes. The third, Cooper, was part of Cristobal’s inaugural recruiting class and went from a three-star prospect to a four-year starter. And while Mesidor didn’t sign out of high school with Miami, he was with the Hurricanes for four season after transferring to UM from West Virginia.
The latest on undrafted Hurricanes
Four Hurricanes who did not get selected in the draft have already agreed to deals as undrafted free agents.
Center James Brockermeyer and wide receiver Keelan Marion inked deals with the Atlanta Falcons, while linebacker Wesley Bissainthe agreed to a deal with the Kansas City Chiefs and defensive tackle David Blay Jr. is in agreement with the New England Patriots.
Kicker Carter Davis also received an NFL camp invite with the Chiefs.
This story was originally published April 26, 2026 at 7:00 AM.
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