Mario Cristobal reveals the secret to Miami's success with transfer players

Miami welcomed 20 players into the program from the transfer portal this offseason as a part of a top-10 transfer portal class this season. Headlining the Hurricanes class is QB Carson Beck, who has performed as advertised through three games this season.

It’s the second season in a row that head coach Mario Cristobal has found success recruiting quarterbacks in the NCAA transfer portal. Cam Ward went on to be the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft after transferring to Miami. Having pieced together consecutive top-20 portal classes, Cristobal revealed his secret for recruiting transfer talent.

“It all starts with what we do on a daily basis,” Cristobal said during SportsCenter on Thursday evening. “The guys that come here know that they’re going to work, that they’re really going to invest a lot of time with each other, in each other, and also into the program. It’s a relentless process, but it still comes to this man: You still have to make sure that you are choosing the right people. It all starts and ends with the right people.”

Cristobal said that having a strong transfer portal class isn’t enough. He’s looking for an “incredible balance” between both high school players and portal players.

Miami brought in the No. 14 recruiting class in the country this cycle. In 2024, they secured a top-five high school recruiting class. That group is now in their second year with the program, which was headlined by the five-star DLs Justin Scott and Armondo Blount, as well as EDGE Marquise Lightfoot. All three were retained primed for breakout second seasons.

Cristobal and staff’s recruiting efforts have translated to success. In 2024, Miami finished with 10 wins and narrowly missed out on the College Football Playoffs. So far in 2025, Miami is undefeated through three games and have ranked wins over Notre Dame and South Florida ahead of a pivotal rivalry matchup against Florida on Saturday.

Still, Cristobal isn’t satisfied with his team just yet. According to the Miami head coach, the Hurricanes are still trying to find their identity through three games. Still in the non-conference portion of its regular season, Miami’s ACC schedule is still looming.

“We want to be a more physical football team, certainly one that could win up front and in the trenches,” Cristobal said. “We are applying ourselves and we are improving, but quite honestly, we have a long ways to go.”

Miami will look to establish these principles this weekend when the Hurricanes host Florida on Saturday. Looking ahead, the ‘Canes will enjoy their bye in Week 5 before beginning ACC play against No. 7 Florida State on Oct. 4.