Miami, FL
Jaylen Wright steps into the spotlight
The Miami Dolphins have failed to develop an effective ground game in two of Mike McDaniel’s three seasons as head coach. Miami’s rushing attack ranked seventh in 2023 but struggled in McDaniel’s first season, averaging fewer than 100 yards per game in 2022. The unit took a step back again in 2024, finishing 21st with an average of 105 rushing yards per game.
De’Von Achane is a dynamic playmaker out of the backfield, but relying on him for nearly 300 touches isn’t a sustainable strategy. The Dolphins ranked No. 22 in points per game, and their inability to sustain drives on the ground contributed to their offensive inconsistency.
As a rookie, Achane rushed for 800 yards, averaging 7.8 yards per carry, and scored ten total touchdowns after Miami selected him in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft. The following year, Miami used another third-round pick on a running back.
The Dolphins traded a 2025 third-round pick to the Philadelphia Eagles to select Tennessee running back Jaylen Wright. While no one expected Wright to match Achane’s explosive rookie season, he struggled to find a role in Miami’s offense. Wright averaged roughly 17 yards per game and 3.7 yards per attempt. He failed to reach the end zone and ranked third in carries (68) behind Achane and Mostert, who had 85.
A dynamic back in college, Wright was Tennessee’s leading rusher for back-to-back seasons. He was named All-SEC as a junior after rushing for 1,013 yards and catching 22 passes for 141 yards.
Miami released Mostert, and Jeff Wilson Jr. will become a free agent next month, leaving Achane and Wright as the only backs currently on the roster. The Dolphins may add another back through the draft or free agency, but the spotlight turns to Wright as he prepares for his second season.
Wright’s rookie year ended on a sour note, carrying the ball six times for -4 yards on Jan. 5 against the New York Jets. His final four games included nine carries for six yards, reflecting Miami’s offensive struggles down the stretch. His lone game with double-digit carries came in Week 4 against the New England Patriots, when he rushed for 86 yards on 13 attempts.
The Dolphins’ offensive line struggled, ranking 26th in block win rate, which made it difficult for the rushing attack to find consistency. Despite his rocky rookie season, Miami has invested too much in Wright to leave him sidelined in 2025.
At its best, McDaniel’s rushing attack can translate to Mostert’s league-leading 18 rushing touchdowns and Achane’s eight yards per carry in 2023. Miami invested significant draft capital to build the backfield to fit McDaniel’s vision, and a retooled offensive line should help unlock its potential in 2025.
This is the eighth edition of Miami Hurricanes on SI’s breakdown of each team on the 2026-27 Miami Hurricanes football schedule.
Miami, to this point, is coming off its biggest test of the year against Pitt. Now they will turn their attention to Bill Belichick and what he has accomplished to this point in his second season as a college football head coach.
North Carolina should be better than last season after a disappointing 4-8 2025 outcome. However, the Hurricanes also understand that this is the ideal trap game before they head on the road to face Notre Dame in one of the biggest games of the season, which could hold massive playoff implications.
Miami can’t look forward. All eyes will be on what the new season and another fun home game against a rising contender.
Here’s everything you need to know about UNC and its 2026 unit.
The Offense
Petrino03 | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
Thursday 17, 2014
After coming off one of the worst offensive outputs in the country last season, Belichick knew that he needed to make a move quickly. It started with hiring veteran coach Bobby Petrino as the teams offensive coordinator.
It won’t be the 126th ranked offense, but how much better could it get with Petrino making the calls? The Tar Heels will also have a new quarterback under center, but so far, no one knows who exactly it will be.
The most talented player in the quarterback room is Travis Burges. A 6-foot-4 freshman dual-threat quarterback with unlimited potential, but they also went into the transfer portal and landed some experience in former Wisconsin QB, Billy Edwards Jr., is expected to start, but the change could be made halfway through the season if things don’t work.
Two new starting receivers also entered from the transfer portal, but the consistency in the room was provided by Jordan Shipp. Last season, he led the team in receiving yards (671) and touchdowns (6), even with how bad the team was at scoring.
UNC’s rushing attack was also highlighted by returning sophomore Demon June. He rushed for nearly 500 yards in his limited snaps, averaging 5.5 yards a carry with two touchdowns.
Defense
Defense should be the calling card of the Tar Heels next season, led by their star pass rusher, Melkart Abou-Jaoude. The 6-foot-5, 260-pound rusher totaled 10.5 sacks and 47 tackles last season. Another year learning under Belichick would likely push him to be a first or second round pick in the 2027 Class, one that the Canes are paying close attention to.
Moreover, some familarity will be on the sideline and a likely starter during his freshman year in Keton Dopson, the former Miami Hurricanes commit. He reclassifed to the 2026 class, and flipped his commitment knowing that there is a better chance to get on the field quicker at UNC than the depth that he would have had to wait behind at least for this season.
UNC’s secondary is one of the more sound groups in the country compared to the rest of its roster. However, their linebacking core who rack up tackles, are transfers who have to learn the Belichick system.
Schedule
Schedule-wise, this game is the biggest trap game of the season for the Canes. If Miami finds its way past Pitt, it will be 7-0, and this game stands between the Canes and a rematch with the Fighting Irish.
This is the perfect time for Belichick to get his first signature win against a returning program like Miami, which puts a ton of pressure on the Canes to get the job done. However, the Canes can’t afford it, knowing what is coming next.
Moreover, this is the perfect chance for Darian Mensah to have a better game than last season’s outing against the Tar Heels. His one touchdown performance was one of his weaker games of the season, but it could be a step for him to get control of the Heisman conversation.
Outlook
MIami will be favored in this game, similar to how it will be for the rest of the season. UNC will give the Canes one of the better defensive matchups this season that will also test the offense.
Miami’s history against UNC in the Mario Cristobal era has shown it can have a high-flying offense but has to avoid self-inflicted wounds.
The Game
Date: October 31
Time: TBA
TV: TBA
Location: Hard Rock Stadium
Series History: UNC leads 16-11
Last Meeting: 2023
The Team
The Coach: Bill Belichick
Offensive Coordinator: Bobby Petrino
Defensive Coordinator: Steve Belichick
2025 Record: 4-8
2025 Rankings: 126th Total Offense, 70th Total Defense
Players to Watch: Melkart Abou-Jaoude, R-Sr, EDGE
Top Newcomer: C.J. Sadler, WR, Freshman
Biggest Question: How will Belichick adjust in his second year as a college football head coach?
The School
Location: Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Founded: 1789
Enrollment: 32,099
Nickname: Tar Heels
Colors: Power Blue and White
Mascot (Symbols): Rameses the Live Ram
The Program
Last Win in the Series: 2023
Last ACC Title: 1980
National Championships: NA
Playoff Appearances: NA
Last missed bowl season: 2025
Heisman Trophies: NA
The Schedule
October 31, Time TBA, Pitt Panthers @ Miami Hurricanes
This is the eighth story in Miami Hurricanes on SI’s early preview series of all 12 regular-season opponents for Miami football in 2026.
Follow all social media platforms to stay up to date with everything Miami Hurricanes- Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, and BlueSky.
Add us as a preferred source on GoogleFollow
The NBA offseason is typically an interesting time for the Miami Heat organization. The fans are always pushing the organization to make big acquisitions and are always looking for the next star to play in the Kaseya Center. Because of the organization and the fans desire for star players, the media finds a way to talk about Miami as a destination.
The Heat consistently being mentioned for stars but not landing them has been a point of frustration for fans over the years. This year that frustration can be put to rest for a few more years.
What did the Heat add?
It would be foolish to have an offseason discussion without first mentioning the Heat pulled of the biggest move in the NBA in the past several years. That is of course the trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The Heat made their best move since signing Lebron James and Chris Bosh to form the big three in 2010. They landed a top 5 player still at the height of his powers and they did not have to give up their best player. This allowed them to form what will be one of the scariest defensive duos the league has ever seen.
The other notable move was signing Heat legacy Tim Hardaway Jr., son of former Heat player Tim Hardaway. This was a fantastic signing as it lands them a quality shooter on a favorable contract. Shooting has been pointed out to be Miami’s biggest potential weakness after the trade and they addressed it immediately.
Another move that is seemingly turning out well is the drafting of Ryan Conwell in the second round of this year’s draft. Conwell has been a scoring machine in Summer League, scoring 21 points, 16 points, and 26 points in his three games so far.
Who did they keep?
Miami will return a good core of players from the previous season, notably Bam Adebayo. This alone was a massive win for the Heat. They landed an elite player and were able to keep their franchise pillar to pair with him. Miami did retain 2 players though that many thought might be playing elsewhere.
The Heat were able to sign Andrew Wiggins to an extension and though the first year’s salary was not decreased, the second of the contract will be an absolute steal. Then the Heat kept Simone Fontecchio on a veteran minimum contract. This will not make any headlines, but he was a 37.5% shooter from three and like previously mentioned the Heat need shooting.
What was lost?
The Heat did lose several players from their Play-in squad last season. Most notably former All-Stars in Tyler Herro and Norman Powell. Herro was traded in the Antetokounmpo trade and Powell signed with the Bulls in free agency.
These are notable losses, but the addition of Antetokounmpo plus the retention of other key players more than make up for it. Miami did lose several if the young pieces in the trade as well, sending Jaime Jaquez jr., Kel’el Ware, and Kasparas Jakucionis to Milwaukee. This of course is the price you have to pay when going, as Miami calls it, whale hunting.
How it grades
It would be embarrassing to grade the offseason anything less than an A. This is largely due to Antetokounmpo, but the other moves listed out are the cherry on top. The Heat have been able to sign a quality player to help an area of their biggest need, retain one of their key starters at a great contract price, and retain a three-point specialist that plays his role well.
When you add those things, the addition of the next Heat great in Antetokounmpo, and subtract what was needed to complete the trade, then you are left with an excellent body of work that any team in the league would be proud of. The offseason is not done either and the Heat might have one or two more tricks up their sleeve by the time it is all said and done.
Add us as a preferred source on GoogleFollow
Initially a program dedicated to football camps, Miami Dolphins Academy has widened its platform to include cheerleading, flag football and international initiatives. Camps and clinics are available in Spain, Brazil and Mexico as the Dolphins, and the NFL brand, continue to grow on a global scale. To date, the program has engaged more than 2,000 youth athletes and coaches abroad with many more to come.
Development remains at the core of the Miami Dolphins Academy. International efforts and domestic programming are focused on aiding the next generation of football players, cheerleaders and coaches. The Miami Dolphins Academyrecognizes and celebrates local high school coaches through seasonal Coach of the Week and Coach of the Year programming.
Clinics are centered around the game of football and educational opportunities and are operated year-round. For coaches, a focus on fundamental football skills, practice planning, leadership development and core football competencies are cultivated throughout the program.
For the players, youth football and cheer camps and clinics are led by Academy Youth Football coaches and members of the Miami Dolphins cheerleaders. Participants are invited to learn, play and build valuable leadership skills.
A month-long Girls Flag Football League is hosted at the Baptist Health Training Complex to provide student athletes a platform for competitive play, culminating in a championship event with appearances by Miami Dolphins players. Nearly 600 girls flag players participated in the league in 2026 as the Miami Dolphins Academy continues its efforts expand the game of girls flag football.
-
Ohio9 minutes agoWoman missing for more than 2 weeks found dead in Ohio
-
Oklahoma11 minutes agoLANZAMIENTO: Local organizations aiming to continue Tulsa’s food industry growth
-
Oregon17 minutes ago
Oregon Country Fair set to open Friday as crews finish preparations in Veneta
-
Pennsylvania24 minutes ago60th annual Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts now underway in State College
-
Rhode Island27 minutes agoHandshake Initiative instills confidence, motivation in students
-
South-Carolina32 minutes agoESPN recruiting writers break down five-star Josh Dobson’s fit with South Carolina
-
South Dakota39 minutes agoSouth Dakota man faces abuse charges after authorities called to NW Iowa casino
-
Tennessee41 minutes agoData centers driving up Tennessee power bills, report finds
