2026 MAC Football Preseason Preview: Miami RedHawks

The Miami RedHawks rarely enter a season as MAC favorites, but every November, they're knocking on the door of the MAC Championship Game. They've participated in the spectacle in three-straight seasons, most recently winning the conference crown in 2023.

That's just Chuck Martin football.

The head coach has created remarkable stability in Oxford, OH, and now he enters year 13 at the helm with two MAC titles and four MAC title game appearances under his belt. But a typical Miami season under Martin isn't without its adversity. The RedHawks have overcome consecutive 0-3 starts to qualify for the MAC Championship, routinely hitting their stride when the calendar flips to November.

This year, Miami hopes to find its footing earlier than the final week of September. And the RedHawks have the pieces in place to be stronger out of the gate this year. The coaching continuity is among the best in the country. Martin enters his 13th season on staff, as does defensive coordinator Bill Brechin, and there are only two new position coaches. Add nine returning starters — including four on the offensive line — to the mix, and Miami has every reason to believe it can pursue a fourth-straight December trip to Detroit.

What’s New?

Some programs have to reinvent themselves every year. Miami isn't one of them. The RedHawks are a beacon of stability under Chuck Martin, and that stability has paid dividends in the form of eight-straight bowl eligible seasons.

However, one of Miami's longtime staples is finally gone. After 12 years on staff including the last three as offensive coordinator, Pat Welsh left Oxford to join Jim Mora Jr.'s new staff at Colorado State. Miami replaced Welsh with quarterbacks coach Gus Ragland, a former RedHawk QB from 2014-18 who enters his fourth season as a member of staff. Other new staff additions include defensive line coach Isiah Dunning, who held the same role at Buffalo in 2025, and linebackers coach Logan Plumley, who was previously defensive coordinator at Division II University of Indianapolis.

Miami returns nine starters, which is tied for second in the MAC only behind Western Michigan's 10. The RedHawks will complement that returning talent with several established transfer additions headlined by All-MAC tackle Evan Malcore (Northern Illinois), running backs Cade Yacamelli (Wisconsin) and Rodney Nelson (FCS Monmouth), and former Big Ten starting safety Dillon Tatum (Northwestern).

Offense

• Key arrivals: QB Caleb Heavner, QB David McComb, RB Cade Yacamelli, RB Rodney Nelson, WR Maleek Huggins, WR Devin Hyatt, WR Carl Jenkins, TE Christian Ross, G Devontae Armstrong, OT Evan Malcore
• Key departures: QB Dequan Finn, RB Kenny Tracy, RB Jordan Brunson, WR Kam Perry, WR Cole Weaver, WR Deion Colzie, TE Brian Shane, OT Drew Terrill
• Key incumbents: QB Thomas Gotkowski, RB D'Shawntae Jones, WR Keith Reynolds, WR Braylon Isom, C Kris Manu, G Jacob Schorsch, G Greg Smith Jr., OT Eric Smith

Miami hasn't finished higher than 79th in scoring offense or 98th in total offense since 2021. The RedHawks qualified for back-to-back MAC Championship Game appearances despite ranking 95th and 96th in points per game, and 108th and 98th in yards per game across the past two seasons. Even with that recent run of success, Miami can become even more formidable if the offense takes even a slight step forward under newly-appointed coordinator Gus Ragland.

Quarterback is undoubtedly the biggest question in 2025. Miami retains Thomas Gotkowski, who stepped in for three starts after Dequan Finn left the team in November. Gotkowski thrived initially, helping the RedHawks secure late-season wins to qualify for the MAC title game. However, he struggled in the postseason, finishing 7-of-17 and 6-of-22 in the MAC Championship and Arizona Bowl, respectively. That experience should still benefit him entering fall camp, but he'll face outside competition. Dual-threat transfer Caleb Heavner arrives from Division II Fort Hays State, where he posted 1,590 passing yards and 664 yards, while David McComb arrives from Kansas after not fielding a snap in 2025.

The RedHawks' running back room turns over quite significantly, although it retains goal line specialist D'Shawntae Jones, who punched in a team-high seven rushing touchdowns last year. Miami also added Cade Yacamelli and Rodney Nelson to inject more firepower into the group. Yacamelli totaled 571 rushing yards across the last three seasons at Wisconsin, while Nelson ranked third in the FCS with 1,802 rushing yards last season at Monmouth — warranting CAA Offensive Player of the Year honors.

Wide receiver was the strength of Miami's offense last year. The RedHawks are tasked with replacing deep-ball specialist Kam Perry (22.7 yards per reception) and Cole Weaver, who ranked first and second on the team in receiving yards, respectively. Keith Reynolds, the third returning starter, is the key incumbent after recording 352 yards on 36 receptions. Reynolds could rise into the No. 1 role, but a potential breakout may also be blossoming for Braylon Isom, who saw a bulk of his production in November last season.

Transfers rounding out the receiving corps include Maleek Huggins (FCS Bethune-Cookman), Devin Hyatt (Arizona), Carl Jenkins (UCF), and Damarion Witten (Ohio State). Huggins is the most experienced of the bunch after suiting up five seasons in the FCS, accruing 864 receiving yards in 2025 and 1,530 across his career. Among the FBS additions, Devin Hyatt (the younger brother of New York Giants wide receiver Jalin Hyatt) possesses the most experience with eight career catches for 119 yards in Tucson.

Tight ends also have heavy influence in the receiving game under Coach Martin. Miami loses starter Brian Shane but restocks with Christian Ross, who produced 18 receptions for 174 yards at Memphis in 2025.

The most complete position group in Miami's 2026 offense is unquestionably the offensive line. Starting right tackle Drew Terrill transferred to Houston, but the other four starters are all back — center Kris Manu, guards Greg Smith Jr. and Jacob Schorsch, and left tackle Eric Smith. And the fifth starter is clear. Miami landed former Northern Illinois tackle Evan Malcore, who remains in the MAC after making 32 starts and earning two All-MAC selections with the Huskies. The RedHawks typically boast one of the largest lines in the conference and the 2026 group is no exception, as both starting tackles measure at 6'6" and over 300 pounds.

Defense

• Key arrivals: DT Marcus Moore, OLB Blayne Myrick, OLB CJ Young, CB Amariyun Knighten, FS Ben Minich, SS Dillon Tatum
• Key departures: DE Adam Trick, DE Josh Lukusa, DT Nasir Washington, ILB Jackson Kuwatch, OLB Corban Hondru, OLB Oscar McWood, FS Eli Blakey, FS Koy Beasley, SS Silas Walters
• Key incumbents: DE Bai Jobe, DE James Schott, DE Devin Bell, DT Roosevelt Andrews III, ILB Malcolm McCain, OLB Eli Coppess, OLB Brock Uihlein, CB Kaleb Martin, CB Mychal Yharbrough, CB Adrian Walker Jr., FS Toney Coleman Jr.

Defense is the defining characteristic which keeps Miami in the MAC title hunt every season, and it was evident that would be the case from the team's 2025 opener — a 17-0 defeat at Wisconsin. In 2025, RedHawks ranked top 50 nationally in scoring defense, run defense, pass defense, and total defense. Only two opponents surpassed 30 points on Miami, while half the competition was held to 20 or fewer.

Miami thrived particularly on havoc plays. The RedHawks were one of eight FBS programs to generate at least 40 sacks and one of 42 teams to produce at least 20 takeaways. They were also elite with their backs against the wall, surrendering touchdowns on just 53.3 percent of opponent red zone trips.

There are significant losses, particularly star pass rusher Adam Trick, who transferred to Texas Tech, graduated safeties Silas Walters and Eli Blakey, and versatile linebacker Corban Hondru. At the same time, Miami has plenty of players with in-game experience in Bill Brechin's system, including four returning starters.

The biggest question on the defensive line: who's Miami's next Trick?

Trick was a First Team All-MAC selection with 8.5 sacks, 12.5 tackles for loss, and three forced fumbles. James Schott and Bai Jobe, who produced 3.5 sacks apiece in 2025, are among defensive ends looking to make that developmental leap, as is Devin Bell, who ended with season with a strong Arizona Bowl showing. The ends will have significant assistance in the middle with the return of starting defensive tackle Roosevelt Andrews III and the addition of Marcus Moore. Moore measures at 6'1" and 310 pounds, starting eight games at Akron in 2024 before operating as a reserve at Purdue in 2025.

The linebacking corps returns eight-game starter Malcolm McCain — the only player among Miami's top six tacklers back for 2026. McCain generated 73 stops and 7.5 tackles for loss and looks to make the rise to All-MAC status this year, similar to the jump Jackson Kuwatch made last season while developing into the team's lone NFL Draft selection. Other members of the room to monitor include Brock Uihlein, who recorded 29 tackles in 2025, and Eli Coppess, who looks to follow in Hondru's footsteps as an elite coverage outside linebacker. Coppess is off to a strong start in that facet after picking off three passes last season.

Kuwatch and Hondru are significant losses, but Miami beefed up its linebacker room with established transfers. Blayne Myrick offers 36 games of experience after leading South Alabama in tackles in consecutive seasons. Over the past two seasons, the redshirt senior registered a collective 183 tackles and 14.0 tackles for loss. CJ Young also joins the room after ranking second on Kent State with 89 tackles in 2025.

Miami also must replace its dynamic safety tandem of Silas Walters and Eli Blakey, who spearheaded a championship-caliber secondary over the past few seasons. The secondary still retains starting cornerbacks Kaleb Martin and Mychal Yharbrough, a significant plus for a unit which finished 39th in pass defense, 18th in opponent completion percentage, and 22nd in interceptions. Other reserves from last season expected to take on expanded roles in the secondary include Adrian Walker Jr. and Toney Coleman Jr., as well as Jackson Pons, who missed the entirety of 2025 due to injury.

The RedHawks complement their returning pieces with transfers capable of serving as immediate starters. Dillon Tatum was an established starter at Michigan State before suffering a season-ending injury in 2024. He spent last season at Northwestern and brings 79 career tackles and nine pass breakups to Miami's secondary. Another safety addition is Ben Minich from Notre Dame, and although he has much less experience, he played in all four of the Fighting Irish's playoff games during their 2024 run to the National Championship. Speaking of the National Championship, Miami adds a member of Indiana's 2025 secondary in cornerback Amariyun Knighten. Although he didn't play much for the undefeated Hoosiers, he previously started 13 games in the MAC for Northern Illinois from 2022-24, logging 46 tackles, seven pass deflections, and an interception.

Special Teams

• Key arrivals: K Brady Stidham, LS Trey Wallman, PR Maleek Huggins
• Key departures: K Dom Dzioban, LS Hudson Powell
• Key incumbents: K Carter Holden, P Pierse Stainton, KR Keith Reynolds, PR Lynel Billups-Williams

Miami is the gold standard of special teams in the MAC, especially at kicker. Since the calendar flipped to 2020, the RedHawks' kicking room has produced an NFL Draft pick in Sam Sloman, a Lou Groza Award winner in Graham Nicholson, and a two-time First Team All-MAC selection in Dom Dzioban.

Dzioban finally graduated, giving Miami a new kicker for 2026. There is a lack of experience in the room, which consists of redshirt freshman Carter Holden, who was previously limited to kickoff specialist and holder duties, and true freshman Brady Stidham.

Pierse Stainton remains the punter after completing his first season as a full-time starter. He averaged 42.3 yards per attempt with a long of 65 yards, positioning 21 of his 63 punts inside the 20-yard line.

Miami is also in a strong place in the return game. The RedHawks ranked seventh nationally in kickoff return average in 2025, and Keith Reynolds returns as the centerpiece. Reynolds handled 16 of the RedHawks' 21 kickoff returns and averaged 28.5 yards per attempt, highlighted by a 100-yard return touchdown against UNLV last September.

The punt return duties belong to Lynel Billups-Williams, who fielded 17 of 20 returnable punts in 2025, accumulating 166 yards on a 9.8 average. Maleek Huggins also arrives with extensive punt return experience, totaling 49 returns for 504 yards and a touchdown in his time at Gardner-Webb and Bethune-Cookman.

Outlook

Miami was selected second in the MAC Preseason Coaches Poll, trailing only reigning champion Western Michigan. The RedHawks aren't typically preseason favorites to qualify for the MAC Championship Game, but three-straight appearances has forced the program to command its respect.

The RedHawks enjoy significant advantages that make another MAC title game trip a realistic endeavor. They have an experienced, physical offensive line with four starters back and an All-MAC transfer filling the lone vacancy. The defense consistently develops in-house star talent under Bill Brechin. There's exciting skill position talent like Keith Reynolds and star FCS transfer Rodney Nelson. And with two-time champion head coach Chuck Martin and nine returning starters, Miami has better continuity than the majority of the conference.

The main concern is quarterback. The RedHawks have three candidates who could secure the job, and identifying the right one will be essential to improving upon last year's below-average offensive numbers.

Overall, the 2026 Miami team should expect another bowl appearance, and potentially much more. And if things look bleak after a September non-conference slate featuring former Big East schools Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, and UConn, don't forget what Miami reminds us on an annual basis — it's not how you start, it's how you finish.

Schedule

All dates and times are current as of publication. An asterisk (*) denotes a conference game.

^ played at neutral-site TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, OH

^^ played at neutral-site Ford Field in Detroit, MI