Miami RB Mark Fletcher Jr. returning for 2026 campaign

Miami star running back Mark Fletcher Jr. said Tuesday he will return to the Hurricanes for the 2026 season.

The junior weighed leaving for the NFL draft, but decided to publicize his return just eight days prior to Miami's College Football Playoff quarterfinal game against No. 2 Ohio State.

"Yeah, it's true. I'm coming back another year," Fletcher said during a press conference in advance of the Cotton Bowl matchup. "I have another year. You know, I'm a true junior. Another year guaranteed.

"I love this team. I love this organization. I love this culture. And I just want to spend more time with my brothers while I can."

Fletcher rushed for a career-best 172 yards in No. 10 Miami's 10-3 upset of No. 7 Texas A&M in the first round of the playoffs. He has rushed for 857 yards and 10 touchdowns this season and he's just 22 yards away from becoming the 11th player in Miami history to reach 2,000 career rushing yards.

He enters the contest at No. 13 on the rushing-yardage list. That's three yards ahead of Frank Gore, who went on to a stellar NFL career and has been named a semifinalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2026. Fletcher's 24 career rushing touchdowns rank 10th in Hurricanes' history.

"I think just staying consistent (has been the key)," Fletcher said of his play. "I'm just doing my job to the best of my ability. I feel like that's where I've grown, just staying consistent, working on my second-level speed and then, of course, blocking."

--Field Level Media