Miami (Ohio) reached last year’s MAC championship game before losing to Western Michigan 23-13.
Once again, the expectations are high for the RedHawks coming off a 7-7 season. Under veteran head coach Chuck Martin, the RedHawks have enjoyed tremendous recent success, winning MAC championships in 2019 and 2023.
Miami has been selected No. 2 behind favorite Western Michigan in the MAC Coaches Preseason Poll. The RedHawks certainly have the experience to live up to this billing, but there are questions.
Miami (Ohio) Season Preview
Once again, the defense is expected to be among the top in the MAC, but much of the success this season could lie with the offense. Last year, Miami averaged just 23.5 points per game, which was sixth in the MAC. Will the RedHawks even get to that level this year or surpass it? That is the big question.
Key Players To Replace
Leading receiver Kam Perry, a first-team All-MAC selection who caught 43 passes for 973 yards and six touchdowns, transferred to Colorado. Receiver Cole Weaver, who had 45 receptions for 642 yards and one touchdown, transferred to Syracuse. Jordan Brunson, who led the team with 767 rushing yards, used up his eligibility.
Quarterback Dequan Finn left the team after the ninth game last season to concentrate on the NFL. In his only season at Miami, he completed 58.9% of his passes for 1,451 yards, nine touchdowns and six interceptions. He rushed for 395 yards and four touchdowns.
Quarterback Henry Hesson, who threw for 596 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions in eight games, used up his eligibility.
Defensive back Eli Blakey, a first-team All-MAC selection who led the RedHawks with 118 tackles, used up his eligibility. Linebacker Jackson Kuwatch was a seventh-round draft pick of the Carolina Panthers after finishing second on the team with 109 tackles. Linebacker Corban Hondru, third on the team with 83 tackles in 10 games, used up his eligibility. Safety Silas Walters, who played in 40 games with Miami and recorded 200 tackles, signed as an undrafted free agent with the Baltimore Ravens. Defensive lineman Adam Trick, a first-team All-MAC selection who led the team with 8.5 sacks, transferred to Texas Tech. Safety Koy Beasley, who had 40 tackles and seven pass breakups, transferred to Kansas State.
The Quarterback Situation
This should provide a battle throughout fall camp. Redshirt sophomore Thomas Gotkowski appeared in five games and made three starts last year, including the MAC title game and the 18-3 Arizona Bowl loss to Fresno State. He completed 44.1% of his passes for 575 yards, four touchdowns and one interception. Gotkowski rushed for 115 yards and one touchdown.
Another candidate is redshirt freshman David McComb, who didn’t see any action in his lone year at Kansas.
In the first few days of fall camp, Gotkowski and McComb were both receiving first-team reps.
Of the other candidates, senior Caleb Heavner is a transfer from Division II Fort Hays, where he passed for 3,398 yards and 24 touchdowns and ran for 1,094 yards and 11 touchdowns in 24 career games.
Also on the roster are true freshmen Drew Bellisari and Luke Berry. The quarterback battle will be the biggest story in training camp.
Key Returning Players
This is an experienced offensive line. Eric Smith started all 14 games and earned third-team All-MAC honors. Kris Manu started all 14 games at center. Offensive lineman Greg Smith Jr. appeared in 13 games with one start. Fellow offensive lineman Jacob Schorsch appeared in all 13 games, starting the final seven. Andrew Lowry, who saw action in eight games, will compete for time on the offensive line.
D’Shawntae Jones rushed for 277 yards and seven touchdowns in 12 games. Keith Reynolds is the leading returning receiver after catching 36 passes for 352 yards and one touchdown last year. Receiver Braylon Isom had 10 receptions for 141 yards and three touchdowns.
Cornerback Kaleb Martin played in and started 12 games and had 33 tackles and seven pass breakups. Linebacker Malcolm McCain recorded 73 tackles, including 7.5 tackles for loss and two sacks. Defensive tackle Roosevelt Andrews III played in and started 13 games, tallying 19 tackles. Linebacker Brock Uihlein appeared in 13 games, making 29 tackles. Defensive back Mychal Yharbrough appeared in all 14 games, making 10 starts. He had 47 tackles and four pass breakups.
Pierse Stainton averaged 42.3 yards per punt last year. Kellan McLaughlin, the kickoff specialist last year, is ready to handle placekicking duties.
Key Newcomers
Evan Malcore, who started 32 games at left tackle for Northern Illinois, has been named to the preseason 2026 Outland Trophy Preseason Watch.
The receivers who saw limited time in the passing game at their previous schools, Damarion Witten (Ohio State), Devin Hyatt (Arizona) and Carl Jenkins (UCF), are looking to make an impact on the RedHawks.
Wisconsin transfer Cade Yacamelli played 32 career games for the Badgers, rushing for 571 yards and two touchdowns. Running back Rodney Nelson rushed for 2,614 yards and 24 touchdowns during the previous two seasons at Monmouth.
Safety Dillon Tatum is a transfer from Northwestern who had 22 tackles and a pass breakup in 12 games last year for the Wildcats. Notre Dame transfer Ben Minich will have the flexibility of playing either corner or safety.
Mason Ellens will vie for playing time in the secondary after redshirting his first season last year at Iowa State. CJ Young, who earned second-team all-MAC honors last year at Kent State, adds to the linebacking corps, as does Blayne Myrick, a second-team All-Sun Belt selection last year for South Alabama.
Miami (Ohio) 2026 Schedule
- 9/5 at Pitt
- 9/12 vs. Holy Cross
- 9/19 at Cincinnati
- 9/26 vs. UConn
- 10/3 vs. Bowling Green
- 10/10 at UMass
- 10/17 vs. Akron
- 10/24 at Central Michigan
- 11/3 vs. Buffalo
- 11/10 vs. Ohio
- 11/17 at Kent State
- 11/24 at Western Michigan
Bold indicates MAC contests
Miami (Ohio) MAC Title Betting Odds
Miami’s college football betting odds to win the conference are +360, via BetMGM.
Miami (Ohio) Betting Odds & Over/Under Win Total
- Miami’s win total Over/Under is 7.5
- The Under is at -145
- The Over is at +110
Miami (Ohio) Season Prediction
I like the RedHawks to go over 7.5 wins. If they go 2-2 in the non-conference games (with tough matchups against Pitt and Cincinnati) that would mean they go 6-2 in the MAC, which they did a year ago. One other thing about the non-conference schedule: The home game with UConn could be sneaky tough.
There are many experienced players back and talented transfers, but the season will likely be defined by how the RedHawks fare at quarterback. They had below standard performance at the position last year and still made it to the MAC championship game. With some improvement, Miami should again be a serious contender to return to the MAC title game.
