While the on-field product hasn’t quite been on par with the legendary teams of the 1990s and early 2000s, the Miami (FL) Hurricanes usually have NFL-ready athletes. Over the last 10 NFL Drafts, the Hurricanes have had 50 former players hear their name.
Heading into 2024, Mario Cristobal’s squad is gearing up for a special season. With the expanded College Football Playoff and a favorable schedule, expectations are the highest they’ve been in South Florida. After kicking off the season at The Swamp, the Hurricanes only have two other teams with a pulse.
Athlon Sports released its Pre-Season All-American lists ahead of the 2024 season and Miami lands five, good to tie Alabama and Notre Dame for fourth most in the nation from a single school.
Athlon Sports Names 5 Miami Players as Pre-Season All-Americans
Andres Borregales, Kicker (2nd Team)
![Major College Football Publication Names 5 Miami Hurricanes as Pre-Season All-Americans 1 miami andres borregales](https://gridironheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/USATSI_21823454_168400545_lowres-1024x712.jpg)
The lone Miami player to land on either of the top two teams is fourth-year kicker, Andres Borregales. The three-time All-ACC honoree is one of the top kickers in the nation.
He committed to Miami as the second-best kicker in the nation in the 2021 recruiting cycle. As a freshman, Borregales converted on 17 of 21 field goals and was a perfect 45-for-45 on extra points. As a sophomore, he made 17 field goals off 20 attempts. When it came to extra points, he was perfect yet again, converting on all 32 attempts.
Last year, Borregales earned First-Team All-ACC honors as well as being named as a Lou Groza Award Semifinalist. On the year, he made 22 of 25 field goals and finally showed that he was human, missing one extra point (44-of-45).
He will likely be on the Lou Groza shortlist yet again this year.
Xavier Restrepo, Wide Receiver (3rd Team)
![Major College Football Publication Names 5 Miami Hurricanes as Pre-Season All-Americans 2 miami xavier restrepo](https://gridironheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/USATSI_21962266_168400545_lowres-1024x768.jpg)
Last year’s leading receiver for the Hurricanes is back for his fifth season of college football. Xavier Restrepo is set to take another step forward in 2024.
He took a while to get going. In his first season, he only managed one catch for 12 yards. He took a step forward in 2021, notching 373 yards and two touchdowns off 24 receptions. Then in 2022, Restrepo amassed 240 yards and two scores off 21 catches before breaking out in 2023.
With 85 catches, Restrepo set the program record and turned that into 1,092 yards and six touchdowns. He recorded five 100-yard games and was eventually honored on the First-Team All-ACC.
Jalen Rivers, Offensive Line (3rd Team)
![Major College Football Publication Names 5 Miami Hurricanes as Pre-Season All-Americans 3 miami jalen rivers](https://gridironheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/USATSI_21560573_168400545_lowres-1024x682.jpg)
Initially a four-star recruit, Jalen Rivers has been a regular on the Hurricanes’ offensive line for a couple of seasons now.
As a freshman, Rivers appeared in seven games as a depth piece. Then, in 2021, he earned the starting left guard job but an injury cut his season short after three games. As a third-year freshman in 2022 (redshirt in 2021, free COVID year), Rivers made seven starts and appeared in two others. When he was on the field, he was one of the top players on the Miami offensive line.
He kicked outside as the Hurricanes’ starting left tackle and started all 13 games. As a result, he earned Second-Team All-ACC honors.
Rueben Bain, Jr., Defensive Line (3rd Team)
![Major College Football Publication Names 5 Miami Hurricanes as Pre-Season All-Americans 4 rueben bain miami](https://gridironheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/USATSI_21705594_168400545_lowres-1024x682.jpg)
One of the youngest players among all three Athlon All-American teams, Reuben Bain, Jr. is only heading into his true sophomore season.
Last year, he burst onto the scene as a four-star recruit and top-10 EDGE in the recruiting class. He earned a starting role in just the third game and ended up starting each of the last 10 games.
In his impressive campaign, Bain amassed 44 tackles. 12.5 TFLs, 7.5 sacks, a pass breakup, and three forced fumbles. He earned ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year honors as well as Third-Team All-ACC.
If you’re unfamiliar with Bain, this year would be a good time to get familiar.
Francisco Mauigoa, Linebacker (3rd Team)
![Major College Football Publication Names 5 Miami Hurricanes as Pre-Season All-Americans 5 miami francisco mauigoa](https://gridironheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/USATSI_21821962_168400545_lowres-1024x691.jpg)
Finally, Miami’s leading tackler is getting some recognition. Francisco Mauigoa blew up in his first season with the Hurricanes.
In his first two seasons, Mauigoa was a member of the Washington State program. He didn’t make much of an impact as a freshman but broke out as a sophomore. It was then that he accounted for 60 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, a pass breakup, a fumble recovery, three forced fumbles, and a 95-yard pick-six. He parlayed that success and jumped into the portal and landed with Miami.
Last year, he had an even better year. In total, Mauigoa logged 83 tackles, 18 TFLs, 7.5 sacks (all team-leading), an interception, three pass breakups, and forced two fumbles.
He with Bain makes a formidable pass-rushing attack.
1 Comment
As a Cane fan, but a fan of college football overall, I think that comment on “having a pulse” is off base. Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech will be much better than people seem to expect. Miami could drop both those games. USF has a good defense and a record setting QB. I’m not saying Miami has a tough schedule (compare to UF, GT) but I’m not penciling in UM for 10 wins at all.