Story by
Miami University Football Preview 2026: Another Run at the MAC Crown
- Story by
- Miami University Football Preview 2026: Another Run at the MAC Crown
Miami University is a hidden Group of Six powerhouse.
With three MAC Championship appearances in the last three seasons, six straight bowl appearances - seven if you don't count the 2020 season with just three games - and tremendous consistency across the program, success has become a given.
The MAC is always a bit up-and-down - every year brings new surprises - but the RedHawks are always in the mix for big things now under Chuck Martin, and this year is no exception.
Chuck Martin's Miami University Machine Keeps Rolling
Dec 27, 2025; Tucson, AZ, USA; Miami (OH) RedHawks offensive lineman Jacob Schorsch (70) and quarterback Thomas Gotkowski (13) against the Fresno State Bulldogs during the Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl at Casino Del Sol Stadium.
© Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Miami University Quick Hits
-
Head Coach:Chuck Martin (13th year, 72-74; 19th year overall, 146-81)
-
Best Case / Worst Case:Win the MAC title/Fight to get bowl eligible
-
Key Player:David McComb, QB RFr. (or whoever ends up seeing time at quarterback)
-
2025 Record:7-7
-
Biggest Question:Can the passing game and offense do enough to win the MAC title?
Advertisement
Miami University Key 2025 Stats
-
Points Allowed: 1st Quarter 47, 4th Quarter 98
-
Sacks: Miami University 41 for 260 yards, Opponents 26 for 146 yards
-
Fumbles: Opponents 18 (lost 6), Miami University 9 (lost 4)
Offense
The offense hasn't been anything special over the last few years, but that's fine.
Control the clock and the tempo, rely on the defense, score when there are chances, repeat.
That doesn't mean it wouldn't be nice to get more pop to the attack, and that's where new offensive coordinator Gus Ragland comes in.
The former RedHawk quarterback will try to up the passing game and more overall for the nation's 108th-ranked offense.
What's Working
Let's spin this into a positive - there's a clean slate to work with.Just about everyone who did much last year for the offense is gone, but again, it's not like the yards were coming in bunches. The staff went big in the transfer portal, especially at ...
Advertisement
Running back.The ground game was efficient and effective, but not dominant. Leading rusher Jordan Brunson is gone, but Cade Yacamelli from Wisconsin will bring some thump.
The RedHawks got a dangerous weapon in Rodney Nelson from Monmouth, and wide receiver Keith Reynolds will get his share of carries to add some speed.
Four starters are back on the line.Left tackle Eric Smith earned All-MAC honors, and the entire interior returns around veteran center Kris Manu.
Making things even better is the addition of tackle Evan Malcore from Northern Illinois and Ohio State guard Devontae Armstrong, who'll instantly push for a spot.
What Needs Work
Who's the quarterback?The RedHawks got underwhelming production at the position last year out of DeQuan Finn
and Harry Hesson.
They're both gone, and now the hope is for Thomas Gotkowski to build off the little bit of work he got in last year, or for Kansas transfer David McComb to be a factor, or for Fort Hays dual-threat star Caleb Heavner to take over.
Advertisement
The receiving corps took a big hit, losing leading pass catcher Cole Weaver to Syracuse and 22.7-yard-per-catch deep threat Kam Perry to Colorado.
Midrange receiver Keith Reynolds is back after making 36 grabs, and the portal brought in Power Four-level help.
There's almost no experience, though, from new guys Quintin Simmons (Kentucky), Damarion Witten (Ohio State), or Devin Hyatt ( Arizona
)
Running the ball is everything.The RedHawks had a hard time completing passes, but they went 7-0 when running for more than 135 yards, and 0-7 when running for fewer.
Player to Watch
Rodney Nelson, RB Jr.
Cade Yacamelli has the upside to take over the ground game for stretches, but the 5-8, 195-pound Nelson needs the ball in his hands.
In two years at Monmouth he ran for over 2,600 yards and 24 scores, and caught 47 passes.
Advertisement
Defense
Defensive coordinator Bill Brechin knows how to do this.
His defenses might not be totally dominant, but they're almost always among the best in the MAC, and this one should be another great one with plenty of talent returning from the third-best D in the conference.
What's Working
The pass rush.The RedHawks came up with 40 sacks, and the production should continue even with leading man Adam Trick off to Texas Tech.
Miami manages to get pressure from all sides - the pass rush has been fantastic for years - and it really is a Next Man Up sort of thing.
The linebacking corps will be business as usual.It's not easy to lose big-time producers like Jackson Kuwatch and Corban Hondru.
Malcolm McCain is a big presence who should be among the team's leading tacklers again, and South Alabama transfer Blayne Myrick made 185 tackles with 14 tackles for loss over the last two seasons.
Advertisement
The corner tandem of Mychal Yharbrough and Kaleb Martin is among the best in the MAC.These two are active, quick, and should make up for all of the safety losses.
What Needs Work
The pass rush will be fine- again, it always is with Miami - but the losses really are big. Adam Trick, Jackson Kuwatch, James Schott, and Nasir Washington combined for 20.5 sacks and 20.5 tackles for loss.
The run defense has to always be a rock.Miami needs control of games, and it starts with holding up against the run.
It was 6-0 when allowing fewer than 135 yards, and 1-7 when giving up more. Not shockingly, the seven losses were against seven of the toughest teams on the slate.
Advertisement
The losses at safety matter.Eli Blakey is finished after leading the team with 118 tackles and eight broken up passes. Silas Waters added 71 tackles and a team-high three picks, and Koy Beasley is off to Kansas State.
Player to Watch
Bai Jobe, EDGE Jr.
He started his career at Michigan State, left for Kansas, and last year he made 16 tackles with 3.5 sacks for the RedHawks.
He's got the perfect edge rushing size and three years of experience. Now he has to be the team's new pass rushing star.
Keys to the Season
-
Complete more passes and get more quarterback efficiency.
-
Quickly replace all of the lost pass rushing production.
-
More consistent scoring after being held to 17 or fewer - all losses - over the last five games.
Player Who Needs To Shine
David McComb, QB RFr.
All three main quarterback options have an equal shot at the gig in fall camp. Thomas Gotkowski has time logged in with the team, but he wasn't accurate when he got his chance. Caleb Heavner was a statistical star over the last few years, but that was at Fort Hays.
The 6-4, 220-pound McComb can run, has the big arm, and has the best all-around skills. He could be the team's quarterback for the next few years if he can grab the gig. No matter who wins it, though ...
Advertisement
Biggest Concern
Completing passes
Out of the 136 teams in college football last season, 135 of them completed 52% or more of their throws. Only one failed to hit half of their passes.
Miami University quarterbacks combined to complete 49.3% of their throws.
Not surprisingly, the RedHawks went 1-5 when hitting half of their passes or fewer.
Biggest Game
at Western Michigan, November 24
Miami University might not rip through the MAC, but it'll likely be favored in each of the first seven conference games.
If it goes 7-0, the regular season finale at Western Michigan might not matter. However, if it's not a MAC Championship preview, it'll still be a big deal.
Advertisement
Transfer Portal
There wasn't a massive need for a ton of transfers, but the ones coming in have to matter.
Quarterback, receiver, and safety. The RedHawks needed them, and they got plenty to try out. The losses were big, but that's the cost of doing business when you have a good Group of Six program in 2026.
Best Signing
Mikah Coleman, EDGE ( Cincinnati
)
The RedHawks need new pass rushers, and it should start with the 6-4, 265-pound insta-fit for an edge rusher spot.
After three years at Eastern Michigan, he had a decent 33-tackle, two-sack season at Cincinnati. Now the veteran should be a problem for the rest of the MAC again.
Advertisement
Biggest Loss
Adam Trick, EDGE (Texas Tech)
It's the school that just sent star pass rusher David Bailey to the New York Jets
with the No. 2 overall pick, and Romello Height was a monster in the backfield, too.
Trick got the call from the Red Raiders after coming up with 96 tackles, 13 sacks, and 18 tackles for loss over the last two years.
Other Names to Know
-
Ben Minich, S (Notre Dame)
-
Mason Ellens, CB (Iowa State)
-
Devin Hyatt, WR (Arizona)
CFN Season Prediction
Another year, another run as a major player in the MAC title chase.
There are huge questions with this year's bunch at quarterback, pass rush, and getting another great year out of the defense, but the players, systems, and coaching are all in place.
CFN Prediction: 8-4
Advertisement
There should be a problem on the road in the Power Four games against Pitt and Cincinnati, and the regular season finale at Western Michigan will be more than a challenge, but everything else is winnable.
There's no Toledo, no long trip to Sacramento State, and there are just two trips outside of Ohio - UMass and Central Michigan - between the opener at Pitt and the date at Kalamazoo.
The Miami University machine isn't slowing down.
Related: MAC Football 2026 Win Totals: Spring Predictions for All 13 Teams
