Power Five Stat Leaders: Two Hurricanes Finish in The Top 5 In Statistical Categories

Brashard Smith and Francisco "Kiko" Mauigoa End Season Top 5 In A Power Five Stats

There's no denying Miami's season didn't go the way many expected it to, especially after the start of the season with their win over Texas A&M. However after some injuries, interesting play calls and more the Hurricanes ended the season with a 7-6 record after losing in the Pinstripe Bowl.

While the team got recent news of Washington State transfer Cam Ward joining the team, there are still some positives to look back to from this past season before spring football gets underway.

With the college football season officially ending last week when Michigan took down Washington in the National Championship, two Miami Hurricanes finished in the top five of Power Five schools in their respective stats.

The first of which was Brashard Smith, who just recently announced his transfer to SMU after three seasons at Miami. Serving as the team's kickoff return specialist this year, Smith accumulated 579 return yards to go along with one touchdown on the season. Smith's 579 return yards were good enough for fourth amongst Power Five programs, edging out Arizona State's Elijhah Badger.

Final Power 5 Stat Leaderboard (Kick Return Yards)

1. Drae McCray, Texas Tech (717)
2. Major Everhart, TCU (647)
3. Brian Battie, Auburn (645)
4. Brashard Smith, Miami (FL) (579)
5. Elijhah Badger, Arizona State (578) pic.twitter.com/z1ezTgLJKL

— CFB Home (@CFBHome) January 16, 2024

The other Hurricane that finished in the top five of a statical category was Francisco "Kiko" Mauigoa. Coming over from Washington State to play alongside his brother, Kiko was dominant in his debut season for the Canes. Not only did he lead the team in tackles, but also in tackles for loss with 18 which was good enough for fourth in the country. Mauigoa elected to return to Coral Gables for his final season in 2024.

Final Power 5 Stat Leaderboard (Tackles for Loss)

1. Laiatu Latu, UCLA (21.5)
2. Tre'mon Morris-Brash, UCF (20.5)
3. Aaron Casey, Indiana (20.0)
4. Francisco Mauigoa, Miami (FL) (18.0)
5. Payton Wilson, NC State (17.5) pic.twitter.com/DIt59D6kC7

— CFB Home (@CFBHome) January 16, 2024

Now with the previously mentioned Ward and other players on the roster looking to make a jump next season, the Hurricanes are hoping to have more stat-sheet stuffers as they look to compete for a spot in the first ever 12-team College Football Playoff in 2024.

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