Insider notes on Miami Hurricanes' transfer portal led NFL Draft class for 2025: Cam Ward, Damien Martinez, Sam Brown Jr. and more

The Hurricanes are another program that spent big money on NIL deals with the hopes of importing talent onto the roster. And it seems to have worked, on face value anyway, as many of the top players and NFL prospects were with other schools barely seven months ago.

Miami Hurricanes NFL Draft 2025 Preview

#1 Sam Brown Jr.

Receiver Sam Brown Jr. was a late transfer to the program by way of the Houston Cougars. The senior has terrific size (6-foot-2, 195 pounds) and speed (low to mid-4.4s in the 40).

After spending two unproductive years at West Virginia, Brown transferred to Houston, where he watched his game take off.

He was very productive at Houston and besides reliable hands, Brown is very effective after the catch. If he continues to progress on the field, Brown could jump into the second round.

#2 Damien Martinez

Damien Martinez brings his game to Miami, and the big power back is one of the best short-yardage ball carriers in the country. He’s a battering ram who is impossible to bring down, yet he’s not a slow plodder.

Damien Martinez - Source: Imagn

Martinez shows decent quickness in his game and a burst. Still, he’ll be best as a downhill/between-the-tackles runner on Sundays.

#3 Tyler Baron

Tyler Baron was another late transfer coming to Miami by way of the Tennessee Volunteers. He’s a developing pass rusher who has shown consistent improvement in his game and makes a lot of plays up the field.

Tyler Baron - Source: Imagn

He measures 6-foot-4.5, 260 pounds, and runs the 40 under 4.7 seconds. Baron must get stronger and improve his play against the run, yet he is poised for a big campaign.

#4 Cam Ward

Quarterback Cam Ward was one of the more interesting stories in the offseason. After initially entering the transfer portal out of Washington State, Ward announced he was going to enter the 2024 NFL Draft only to sign an NIL deal with the Hurricanes.

Cam Ward - Source: Imagn

Ward is a big athlete with a cannon arm who makes plays carrying as well as throwing the ball.

He can make all the passes and shake up the defense, and while Ward has tremendous upside, he must really improve his accuracy as well as pass placement.

#4 Jacolby George

Many in the scouting community have high grades (Day 2) on receiver Jacolby George.

Jacolby George - Source: Imagn

He’s a surehanded wideout who makes a fair number of catches downfield, displaying great focus and toughness. Yet measuring under six feet and 175 pounds, I project George as a No. 4 receiver for the next level.

Miami Hurricanes' 2025 NFL Draft projections by Tony Pauline

Miami Pro Prospects
Grade	Rnd	Pos	Full Name	Yr	#
3.59	3-4	WR	Sam Brown Jr.	4Sr	0
3.48	5th	RB	Damien Martinez	3Jr	6
3.44	5th	DE	Tyler Baron	5Sr	7
3.43	5th	QB	Cam Ward	5Sr	1
3.38	6th	WR	Jacolby George	4Sr	3
3.35	6th	T	Jalen Rivers	4Sr	64
3.32	6th	DT	Akheem Mesidor	5Sr	3
3.29	7th	WR	Xavier Restrepo-Padgett	5Sr	7
3.26	FA	DT	Jared Harrison-Hunte	5Sr	81
3.18	FA	ILB	Francisco Mauigoa	4Sr	1
3.14	FA	CB	Daryl Porter Jr.	5Sr	2
3.10	FA	T	Zion Nelson	6Sr	60
3.02	FA	DT	Simeon Barrow	5Sr	8
3.02	FA	DE	Jahfari Harvey	5Sr	12
2.95	FA	DT	Marley Cook	5Sr	57
2.85	FA	C	Zach Carpenter	5Sr	50