The hype for the 2025 Miami Hurricanes season is so real, you can feel it in the air of Coral Gables! And in this packed episode of U Heard, we're not just predicting a final record—we're getting specific. We're diving deep into the trenches, the secondary, and the huddle to hand out our "3rd Annual Preseason Awards," with a look at the players we expect to dominate on the field this year.

First up, the man in charge. For COACH OF THE YEAR, it's no surprise that we're looking at Mario Cristobal. After a productive offseason of transfers and recruiting, the question is, will he finally put it all together and lead the Canes back to the promised land? What other Coach could we nominate for the coveted award? The pressure is on, and the stage is set for a breakthrough season.

The youth movement is strong in Miami, and the OFFENSIVE FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR race is a fun one. Will it be the highly-touted quarterback Luke Nickel who makes an early impact? Or could the award go to a dynamic playmaker like wide receiver Joshua Moore or running back Girard Pringle Jr., who are both explosive and ready to contribute immediately?

On the other side of the ball, the DEFENSIVE FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR award could be a two-way battle between a disruptive force on the defensive line, such as Armondo Blount, incoming Safety Bryce Fitzgerald or a versatile linebacker like Kellen Wiley Jr., both of whom have the talent to get into the starting lineup and make their presence felt.

Now for the game-changers from the portal. The OFFENSIVE TRANSFER OF THE YEAR is a heated discussion. The easy pick is quarterback Carson Beck from Georgia, who brings elite experience and a big arm to the offense. But don't sleep on wide receiver Keelan Marion (from BYU) or CJ Daniels (from LSU), who are expected to be immediate number one targets for Beck.

Defensively, the DEFENSIVE TRANSFER OF THE YEAR award could belong to former Auburn safety Keionte Scott or linebacker Xavier Lucas from Wisconsin, who could provide a veteran presence and a much-needed boost to the defense.

When it comes to the best of the best, the OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR is a tight race. The obvious choice is Beck, given his potential impact. But if the running game takes over, could it be Mark Fletcher Jr. who carries the load and the team to victory? Or what about an electric returning receiver like JoJo Trader, poised for a breakout sophomore season?

For DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR, the conversation starts and ends with the guys who make life miserable for offenses. Will it be the dominant defensive end Rueben Bain Jr. who racks up the sacks and TFLs, or a physical safety like Damari Brown who makes plays all over the field?

The ultimate honors are reserved for the OFFENSIVE AND DEFENSIVE MOST VALUABLE PLAYERS. The Offensive MVP is likely to be a quarterback, but an elite offensive lineman like Francis Mauigoa or Anez Cooper, who anchors the line and leads the unit, could also make a strong case. On the defensive side, the MVP will be the player the team can't afford to be without. Our picks are in, but we want to know what you think!

Tune in to hear our full breakdowns, our reasoning behind these potential candidates, and our final predictions for the entire season. Let us know your picks for each award in the comments below!

#MiamiHurricanes #GoCanes #TheU #Uheard #ACCfootball #CollegeFootball #CFB #ItsAllAboutTheU #CanesUp #ACCchampionship #2025season #PreseasonAwards #CanesFootball #MarioCristobal #CarsonBeck #RuebenBainJr #FrancisMauigoa #MarkFletcherJr #JoJoTrader