The sound of pads cracking against each other is once again reverberating across Oxford, Ohio. As season 138 of Miami University football comes into view, so does a renewed sense of optimism for the 2026 season.
The 2025 Miami football season was viewed as a disappointment to many RedHawk fans. Between back-to-back losses in big, season-ending games, losing the Battle of the Bricks and a failed experiment at quarterback, the outlook seemed bleak for Miami entering the offseason.
Going into the offseason, the RedHawks took a multi-million dollar swing at roster assembly, according to CBS Sports. Not only did Miami retain nine starters from the 2025 roster, the team signed three impact players from the Power Four level. The RedHawks also managed to land several high profile players from the Group of Six and lower levels.
“I like our depth everywhere,” head coach Chuck Martin said. “We like our talent, our character, and we like our work ethic.”
Last season, Martin said it was his first year really attacking the transfer portal. In previous seasons, he had prided himself on the development of players from high school graduates to seniors. In 2025, he was a bit uneasy about thrusting the leadership roles onto incoming transfers.
At Mid-American Conference (MAC) media day this year, Miami chose to platform lifelong RedHawks, redshirt senior Eric Smith and redshirt junior Malcolm McCain, as its student athlete spokesmen. In an interview with both athletes, it is easy to see how they became the leaders on the 2026 squad. They are cerebral, hungry for success and bleed red and white.
Receiving Third Team All-MAC accolades as an offensive lineman last season, Smith returns to Miami after dominating up front. The RedHawks returned most of their offensive line from last season’s inexperienced group and added fellow All-MAC Third Team honoree Evan Malcore from Northern Illinois University. Smith believes this offseason has allowed the RedHawks to grow stronger as a unit.
“I believe we all learned from [the bowl game],” Smith said. “We have to be on it 24/7, we can’t take a break on anything. I feel like it definitely taught us a lesson to always keep our foot on the gas.”
The redshirt senior brings that maturity and drive with him onto the gridiron.
“My goal this year is to prove to everyone that I belong on that First Team All-MAC list,” said Smith. “I just really want to set my name at the top.”
Coach Martin has yet to announce a starting quarterback for the upcoming season. While a majority of preseason guidebooks predict redshirt sophomore Thomas Gotkowski will get the starting role, Martin has said the competition is an open one.
Gotkowski has the strongest arm of any of the options. David McComb, the redshirt freshman transfer from the University of Kansas, has high upside with dynamic scrambling abilities. Division II transfer Caleb Heavner has moved to Oxford for his senior season, and provides the most experienced hand at the position.
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The true winner of the competition will likely be decided in season. Martin seems unwilling to give any direction at this juncture.
The RedHawks enter 2026 with a talented stable of running backs. Redshirt sophomore
D’Shawntae Jones returns for year two in Oxford after solid production last season. Redshirt junior Rodney Nelson joins Miami after amassing video game numbers at Monmouth. Team staff is excited about junior Cade Yacamelli, an unproven talent from the University of Wisconsin.
The receiving corp has several intriguing players who are largely inexperienced. Junior Keith Reynolds and redshirt sophomore Braylon Isom are the most productive returners. Highly touted transfers junior Damarion Witten and sophomore Devin Hyatt are looking to break out.
On the other side of the ball, Miami has recently produced several linebackers who have gone on to play at the professional level. While the RedHawks brought in several key players like Blayne Myrick from University of South Alabama and CJ Young from Kent State University, redshirt junior Malcolm McCain has emerged as the team’s leader in that role.
“We knew [McCain] had the ability,” Martin said. “Once he got his feet wet, he just took off and had a great year. Year two will be a giant step from year one.”
As the quarterback of the defense, McCain is not only responsible for leading the team on the field, but he is in charge of making adjustments and reacting to what he sees.
“I trust my instincts, I trust myself,” McCain said. “I know whatever stage I’m on, I was meant to be there, so I just play comfortably, falling back on my talents and instincts.”
With a young and inexperienced defensive line, the RedHawks will rely on the top half of their defense to lock down the second level until they can acclimate to a high level. Athletes like McCain will feature prominently in stifling the opponent’s run game to force passing situations.
“I feel like once you stop the run, you know what an offense is trying to do,” McCain said. “Making an offense one-dimensional makes them easy to stop.”
Miami acquired several players to plug into its secondary who will look to fill out a relatively inexperienced pass defense unit. Redshirt senior transfer Dillon Tatum posted solid numbers at Northwestern University last season, while senior Ben Minich looks to prove himself after a stint at University of Notre Dame.
Returning for his senior season, Mychal Yharbrough adds another level of depth and versatility at the defensive back position. Martin hopes the secondary can capture the magic of last season, and once again stifle RedHawk opponents.
The ceiling seems high for the 2026 iteration of RedHawk football. The recent infusion of capital has allowed Miami to aggressively attack targets in the portal to assemble a team that is projected to finish at the top of the MAC this season.
Season 138 will start on Sept. 5, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with kickoff slated for 12:30 p.m.
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