5 players Miami HC Mario Cristobal could target before Spring transfer portal window's closure ft. Elijhah Badger

The Miami Hurricanes have been trying to step up and could really improve ahead of the 2024 college football season. Coach Mario Cristobal is ready to compete for the Atlantic Coast Conference Championship and adding some players in the Spring season's transfer portal.

So, who are some players that coach Mario Cristobal and his coaching staff should be targeting from the NCAA Transfer Portal? Let's take a look at some of the top candidates to join the program.

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Players that the Miami Hurricanes should target in the transfer portal

Jacoby Mathews, S

Safety Jacoby Mathews played for the Texas A&M Aggies last season and had a good season as he finished with 42 total tackles, 0.5 sacks, one interception and four pass deflections.

The defense needs some secondary help, so landing Mathews would be a great replacement for Kamren Kinchens, as he's joining the Los Angeles Rams. Mario Cristobal needs to sure up the secondary and getting a commitment from Mathews would be a significant first step.

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Tyler Baron, EDGE

This move makes sense for Mario Cristobal and his staff, as they have lost Braden Fiske to the NFL draft, and Jayden Wayne is in the portal right now himself, so there's a lot of pressure they need to make up for.

Baron played with the Tennessee Volunteers last season, recording 28 total tackles, six sacks, a pair of pass deflections and a fumble recovery.

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Omarion Cooper, DB

Like the secondary help that Jacoby Mathews would boost the profile of the Miami Hurricanes, this is similar to what Omarion Cooper would be if coach Mario Cristobal can land him.

Cooper is from Lehigh Acres, Florida, and that's less than 150 miles away from Miami. He had a good season with the Colorado Buffaloes last season to bolster his profile as he finished with 37 total tackles, one sack, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and five pass deflections.

This would be a great addition to the defense and makes a lot of sense for Cooper to head home for his senior season.

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Elijhah Badger, WR

Arizona State Sun Devils Elijhah Badger is the best wide receiver in the NCAA Transfer Portal and would be a significant upgrade to the wide receiver room.

Badger had a strong 2023 with Arizona State, as he finished with 65 catches for 713 (11.0 yards per reception) with three touchdowns as well as 11 rushing attempts for 51 yards (4.6 yards per carry) with a rushing touchdown.

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Andrew Chamblee, OT

Adding offensive line depth, especially offensive tackles, is never something to shy away from.

Andrew Chamblee started eight games for the Arkansas Razorbacks last season and has great size at 6-foot-6, 304-pounds. While he's not considered a dominant offensive lineman, he could bolster the offensive line for Miami as the step-down in competition from the Southeastern Conference, so he could re-establish his worth and help the Hurricanes take that next step as a program.