Some seasons stick with you longer than others. Not only because of the memorable wins, but because of the way a team feels and the identity it built. The moments that made it magical, and the players who quietly shape everything in between. This season for Miami was one of those years, the kind fans will remember for its toughness, resilience, and ascendence.
For the Hurricanes to have the season they had, players needed to step up big time and make that leap to make the postseason, let alone make a deep run in the College Football Playoff.
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The player who showed the most noticeable growth and improved tremendously, to the point that the team ended up in the National Championship game because of him, was RB Mark Fletcher Jr.
After showing flashes early in his career, Fletcher took a noticeable leap in every area of his game this season. His vision, patience, consistency, and reliability turned him into the lead option in the backfield and one of Miami’s most dependable offensive pieces. That growth is why Fletcher stands out as the Most Improved Player.
In the 2025-26 season for the Canes, he recorded:
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36 explosive runs (rushes over 10 yards)
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17 breakaway runs (rushes over 15 yards)
Coming into the year, Fletcher’s potential was never questioned. At 6-foot-1 with a strong, downhill running style, he looked the part of an ACC back. He showed that he was one of the best running backs in the entire country (if not the best).
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In key moments, when Miami needed tough yards, Fletcher delivered. Short-yardage situations, late-game carries, and physical drives became his territory. He ran with purpose and confidence, traits that often separate good backs from reliable ones.
In the CFP, Shannon Dawson relied on Fletcher to not only carry most of the workload but also to carry the offense. In the four playoff games, Fletcher’s fewest rushing yards in a game came against the reigning national champions, the Ohio State Buckeyes, and he recorded 90 rushing yards while adding another 25 yards receiving, including a touchdown.
In the other three playoff games, Fletcher didn’t have a game with fewer than 112 rushing yards. The best statistical game was against the Aggies at Texas A&M, where he rushed for over 10 yards per carry for 172 yards.
In the national championship game, he rushed for 112 yards and two touchdowns against Indiana.
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Perhaps the most significant indicator of his growth was how the offense leaned on him. When Miami needed stability, Fletcher provided it. When the game tightened, he didn’t shy away. He embraced the contact, embraced the workload, and played with the kind of maturity you expect from a veteran back.
By the end of the season, Mark Fletcher Jr. had become more than just a productive running back. He became a tone-setter. The kind of player whose physicality, effort, and consistency reflected what the program wanted to be. When Miami needed toughness, he provided it. When the moment demanded steadiness, he answered.
That’s what makes Fletcher the heart and soul of this team. Not just the carries or the yards, but the way he runs with intent, with pride, and with accountability. His growth mirrored Miami’s growth, and his presence gave the offense an identity it could lean on, especially in the playoffs.
The Canes are fortunate to have Fletcher return for another season next year. He announced he was coming back after the win against Texas A&M in the quarterfinals.
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He is, without a doubt, one of the best running backs coming into next year and should have another great year. After what he just showcased to everyone, Fletcher will have a lot of eyes on him as he looks to lead his team back to the big stage and, this time, finish the task at hand.
Miami knows exactly who it can count on. And it starts in the backfield with Mark Fletcher Jr.