Miami on3:
The Miami Hurricanes’ running backs room could get a boost later today. North Dakota State RB transfer
CharMar Brown, who was on of the FCS’s most dangerous players as a freshman last season, tells CaneSport that his hope is to announce a decision in the next 12 hours.
He is down to a final two programs, and one of those is Miami. The other is believed to be Nebraska.
The Canes, of course, had only four scholarship backs in spring football led by Mark Fletcher and Jordan Lyle. And coordinator Shannon Dawson has shown the last two years he likes to roll reps around between several backs.
Brown visited Miami April 21-22, and visited Nebraska soon after that. Other programs that have pushed for him include LSU, Indiana, Cal, Arkansas, and West Virginia.
“I am trying to (make an announcement) today,” Brown said. “It’s Miami and just one other school [in it].”
Brown says on his Miami visit he bonded well with Fletcher and Lyle.
“They showed a lot of love, we’ve talked and they talked about everything,” Brown said. “What makes Miami a great fit for me is I come from an offense that is physical, tough and I feel like having that aspect to it of me doing the same thing in the ACC will bring wonders to the offense, something that’s missing, something that can wear out the defense.”
The 5-11, 214-pound bruiser ran for 1,181 yards and 15 touchdowns this past season while averaging 4.8 yards per carry. That performance earned the Nebraska native the Jerry Rice Award, which is given annually to the top freshman in FCS football. Per
Pro Football Focus he graded out at an elite 90.8 percent in his 402 reps (sixth-best among all FCS backs). That included 3.12 yards after contact, 51 forced missed tackles (24th most in FCS) and 28 carries of 10+ yards.
VIDEO: CharMar Brown punches it in for a North Dakota State TD
“I feel I can be that guy to punish the defense, also make stuff happen as well, get first downs,” Brown said. “That’s what really matters – keep the chains moving and make those big runs as well.”
Of course, Miami is a much different level. UM only returns two backs with any real amount of carries – Fletcher started games each of the last two years and ran for 607 yards in 2024 and 514 in 2023, while Lyle had a breakout freshman season with 400 rush yards and a 7.4 yard-per-carry average. The team leaned on three backs last year (with 1,000-yard starter Damien Martinez now off to the NFL), so Brown can compete with redshirt freshman Chris Wheatley-Humphrey and true freshman Girard Pringle for meaningful reps.
Mario Cristobal and RB coach Matt Merritt have been in constant contact since Brown wrapped up his Miami visit.
“Last year Miami had one of the best O lines in the country, the best offense in the country – I feel having that balance is great because the teams don’t know what you are going to do,” Brown said. ““We have one of the best QBs in the country right now [Carson Beck]. I feel this will be a great fit. I honestly do.”
A final question for Brown: Does one school have an edge over the other as we sit here on Monday morning?
“It’s about 50-50,” he says, adding that the current NIL offers from both schools are relatively similar.