Miami running back Mark Fletcher distinguished himself as one of the best prospects in the country as the Hurricanes made an unprecedented run to the national championship game last season. Despite the Hurricanes’ defense getting most of the glory, Fletcher was one of the offense’s unheralded pieces during the 2025 campaign.
Fletcher opted to return to Coral Gables for his senior season instead of declaring for the 2026 NFL Draft. Miami coach Mario Cristobal lavished praise on Fletcher’s leadership qualities while speaking to reporters after spring practice on Thursday, April 2.
Mario Cristobal Praises Mark Fletcher’s Growth and Leadership
“He’s always been on that steady growth incline. Came in with leadership qualities already, he helped set a standard, he’s never stopped growing. We know that in the postseason, he took it to a different level, he’s exactly what you want,” Cristobal said.
Fletcher became a household name during Miami’s College Football Playoff run, rushing for 507 yards in four playoff games, the most by any player in a single CFP postseason. This included 112 yards and two touchdowns in the national championship game against the Indiana Hoosiers on Jan. 19, 2026.
He also earned Offensive Player of the Game honors in the Cotton Bowl victory against the Ohio State Buckeyes on Dec. 31, 2025. The influential running back will have a new position coach next season. Matt Merritt accepted the same job with the Arizona Cardinals and was succeeded by Favian Upshaw, formerly an offensive quality control coach with the Denver Broncos.
Fletcher Has Unfinished Business in Miami
While speaking to reporters after Tuesday’s spring practice session, Fletcher revealed why he opted to return to Miami instead of declaring for the 2026 NFL Draft. He joins a roster where teammates like Rueben Bain Jr. and Francis Mauigoa are already widely projected as high-round picks.
“It was already made up in my mind that I was going to do four years,” Fletcher said. “Not to say that I wasn’t happy with how I was performing, feel like I underperformed. It was just the fact that I just wanted to come back and play with these guys, play under this team, and I had another opportunity to do it.”
Fletcher continued, “Just [to] be a true senior and I wanted to take that opportunity. Whatever’s going to happen next year is going to happen. My thing is just control what I can control. I get to play for the Miami Hurricanes again, one more year. It’s a blessing, I’m just going to go have fun.”
Fletcher tallied 1,192 rushing yards on 216 carries, resulting in 14 total touchdowns in 15 games played for the Hurricanes last season. Those numbers earned him a PFSN College Running Back Impact score of 81.0.
