Rueben Bain, Francis Mauigoa headline Miami’s top homegrown talent

Miami Hurricanes fans got a glimpse of the future when Miami Central High School kicked off the 2022 regular season at IMG Academy.

The highlight of the game was Central’s starting edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. who had three sacks against IMG, mostly against Francis Mauigoa.

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Those two have become two of the cornerstones of a Hurricanes team that will face the University of Mississippi in the Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 8.

In the age of the transfer portal and the NIL, it’s increasingly rare for impactful players to begin and end their football careers at the same school.

The past four Heisman Trophy winners, including Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, have all transferred. All starting quarterbacks on the four College Football Playoff semifinal teams are transfers. Oregon’s Dante Moore is the only one to stay at his school for more than one season.

Miami is no exception. Eleven, or one-half, of the Hurricanes’ offensive and defensive starters transfer for the 2025 season.

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But the Hurricanes do have some players, led by All-Americans Bane and Moygoya, who spent their entire college careers at Miami.

Here are the Hurricanes’ top homegrown talents:

(Players listed in alphabetical order.)

Reuben Bain Jr.

Junior edge rusher

As a new recruit: Bane dominated at Miami Center, leading the Rockets to No. 1 in the nation as a senior in 2002. A four-star recruit and Under Armor All-American, Bane had 77 sacks in high school.

As a hurricane: Bane has one of the best players in the country in the 2025 class, totaling 45 tackles, 13 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks. He earned ACC Defensive Player of the Year honors and was named an All-American.

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Wesley Bisant

senior guard

As a new recruit: Bissainthe’s length and ability to play from sideline to sideline at Miami Central make him a four-star recruit and one of the top linebackers in the 2022 class. He committed to Miami shortly before Mario Cristobal was hired.

As a hurricane: Besante has been a key member of the Hurricanes’ active linebacker group. He finished with 59 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 1 sack and 1 interception and was named to the ACC Third Team All-ACC in 2025.

Arnez Cooper

senior security guard

As a new recruit: Despite holding several SEC offers, Cooper wasn’t heavily recruited by Pleasant Grove (Ala.)’s 2022 senior class. The three-star forward was offered by the Miami Heat just weeks before the February signing period.

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As a hurricane: Cooper was named to the 2025 All-ACC Second Team. He was named second-team All-ACC in 2023 and 2024.

Mark Fletcher Jr.

junior running back

As a new recruit: Fletcher was a four-star recruit out of Heritage College. He totaled 1,934 yards and 23 touchdowns as a senior in 2022 and transferred to Miami from Ohio State days before the early signing period.

As a hurricane: Fletcher leads the Hurricanes with 947 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns this season. He was named to the ACC Third Team and was named Offensive MVP in the Cotton Bowl.

OJ Frederick Jr.

Sophomore Cornerback

As a new recruit: Frederique is a three-star recruit in the 2024 senior class at St. Thomas Aquinas College. As a senior with the Raiders, he recorded 28 tackles and broke up 10 passes.

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As a hurricane: Frederick made an immediate impact, earning 2024 Freshman All-American honors. He has 17 tackles this season and is tied for third on the team with five pass breakups.

Francis Moygoa

junior offensive tackle

As a new recruit: The IMG standout is a consensus five-star recruit in the Class of 2023 and is ranked as the No. 1 offensive tackle in the country by multiple recruiting services.

As a hurricane: Mauigoa has started every game since stepping onto campus three seasons ago. He is a consensus All-American in 2025.

Matthew McCoy

red shirt boy guard

As a new recruit: McCoy flew completely under the radar as a recruit until his senior season at Creekside in September. He was rated a three-star prospect by most recruiting agencies and chose Miami over Florida.

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As a hurricane: McCoy has started every game for the Hurricanes the past two seasons.

Mr Ahmed Moten

redshirt junior defensive tackle

As a new recruit: As a senior in Cardinal Gibbons’ Class of 2022, Moten has quickly risen up the rankings. Morton, rated a three-star defensive lineman by most recruiting agencies, chose Miami over Oklahoma State, North Carolina, Tennessee and others.

As a hurricane: After serving as a backup the past three seasons, Moten started 12 games, recording 25 tackles, eight tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks en route to earning All-ACC Second Team honors in 2025.

Malachi Toney

freshman wide receiver

As a new recruit: Toney was a four-star recruit out of Heritage College who originally committed to Miami as a sophomore. He rejoined the 2025 class and then helped the Patriots win a state championship as a senior.

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As a hurricane: It’s hard to call a true freshman a homegrown talent, but there’s no denying the impact Toney will have in 2025. The ACC Rookie of the Year earned All-America honors. He caught 94 passes for 1,008 yards and eight touchdowns.

This article originally appeared in The Palm Beach Post: Miami Football: Ruben Bain, Francis Mauigoa among top homegrown talents