NAMES TO WATCH: Miami
NC State faces No. 15 Miami on the road this weekend. They are 15.5-point underdogs for their last road game of the season. Here are several names to watch ahead of the Pack’s second top 15 matchup in a row.
#11 QB Carson Beck - 6’4 220 - Redshirt Senior
The redshirt senior, who is a transfer from Georgia, has been an important factor in Miami’s 7-2 record. Even with his 9 interceptions, he’s been efficient with a 72.7% completion percentage and a 78.1 quarterback rating. Shannon Dawson’s offense has helped Beck play his best season since 2023 -- outside of the interceptions.
Beck, being a pocket-passing quarterback, gets the ball out quickly. It will be vital to pressure him on key passing downs—third and longs, second and longs, etc. Expect NC State to throw a variety of stunts and blitz packages at him. It will be tough to get to Beck regardless, as he’s only been sacked six times this season. That will be the key to beating Miami: sacks, QB hits, pressures, and turnovers.
#10 WR Malachi Toney - 5’11 182 - Freshman
Malachi Toney has been a freshman sensation for the Hurricanes' offense, emerging as a top target for transfer quarterback Carson Beck. This was very unexpected from the national media, as he was ranked as a 3-star recruit out of high school and was not projected to have a big impact right away. However, he has proven all projections wrong by being Miami’s leading receiver, accumulating 54 catches, 644 yards, and 4 touchdowns. The next two receivers after him have 369 yards and 351 yards.
So NC State will have to focus on stopping number 10, who lines up on the outside and in the slot. Miami does whatever it can to get him a favorable matchup. NC State will have to decide whether they should have a corner follow him around or have a safety lined up on top of him whenever possible. Just don’t let him take over the game.
#61 OT Francis Mauigoa - 6’6 315 - Junior
Francis Mauigoa is seen as one of the best offensive tackle prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft and is ranked as the second-best tackle on PFF’s big board. Mauigoa graded out with an 84.2 PFF grade so far this season, ranking 7th best among all tackles nationally on PFF. He has an ideal NFL frame for an offensive tackle at 6’6, 315.
Mauigoa has had a stellar season so far. He’s only allowed 2 sacks, 2 QB hits, and 4 QB pressures over 304 pass block snaps per PFF. He’ll be a tough matchup for Cian Slone or Sebastian Harsh. So, stunts, as mentioned earlier, would be NC State’s best chances at getting to Carson Beck.
#3 EDGE Ahkeem Mesidor - 6’3 280 - Redshirt Senior
Ahkeem Mesidor is a very experienced player for Miami’s defense. He’s been at Miami for four seasons after transferring from West Virginia in 2022. He’s earned himself a 90.2 overall PFF grade and is currently projected as a day 2 draft pick this year.
Mesidor is on pace for a career year. Mesidor currently has 32 total tackles, 5 sacks, 8.5 tackles for loss, along with 3 QB hits and 24 QB pressures. Mesidor is one of the better run defenders for the Hurricanes.
#4 EDGE Rueben Bain Jr. - 6’3 275 - Junior
Rueben Bain Jr. is seen as an elite edge prospect for the 2026 NFL Draft, and for good reason. His frame provides him with a lot of positional versatility, allowing him the ability to be lined up anywhere on the defensive line. However, he’s spent the majority of his time lining up outside the offensive tackle. Bain Jr. has 31 total tackles, 3 sacks, and 6 tackles for loss so far this season.
He’s been a pro at affecting opposing quarterbacks with 3 QB hits and 42 QB hurries. Bain Jr. will be a problem for NC State this weekend, and Coach Doeren has plenty of experience with NFL-level edge prospects like Bain Jr., so it’ll be interesting to see how he handles Miami’s defensive line this week.
