MIAMI, Fla. – Miami Hurricanes linebacker Mohamed Toure was featured on the Butkus Award Watch List ahead of the 2026 college football season, announced on Thursday.
It’s annually presented to the top player at the position.
Last year, the Pleasantville, New Jersey, native transferred to the Coral Gables program coming off his second ACL injury. Despite any concerns, the veteran linebacker went on to start in all 16 games and led the team with 84 total tackles, 38 solos and 46 assist, three tackles for loss, two sacks, and six passes broken up.
In the College Football Playoffs, Toure made an undervalued play. In less than two minutes, the Hurricanes were up 7-3 on Texas A&M, but the Aggies were at the goal line, with a chance to tie or win the game. Quarterback Marcel Reed briefly connected with running back Rueben Owens II for a touchdown, but Toure knocked the ball out with a hard tackle, which sidelined him for the final play, when Bryce Fitzgerald had the game-sealing interception.
Toure’s collegiate career is unique, to say the least. He will soon play in his eighth season. Toure was part of the 2019 high school recruiting class, alongside Jayden Daniels, George Pickens, Puka Nacua, and Bo Nix – all of whom are currently in the NFL.
A breakdown of Toure’s career:
- Freshman (2019): Played two games and redshirted
- Redshirt Freshman (2020): Played nine games; the NCAA granted an extra year of eligibility to all Division I athletes
- Redshirt Sophomore (2021): Played 13 games and had 51 total tackles, eight tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks
- Redshirt Junior (2022): Missed all season with an ACL injury
- Redshirt Senior (2023): Played 13 games and finished second on the Scarlet Knights’ defense with 93 total tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks
- Redshirt Senior (2024): Missed all season with an ACL injury and transferred to Miami
Toure isn’t the only athlete to play an extensive number of college football seasons. Linebacker Kyle Pugh at Northern Illinois and tight end Cam McCormick at Oregon and Miami played for eight years. Although it hasn’t been the traditional route for Toure, he’s made the most of a second chance in South Florida.
Despite the departures of edge rushers Akheem Mesidor and Rueben Bain Jr. to the NFL, Toure is one of a few key returners to the Hurricanes’ front seven, along with defensive tackles Justin Scott and Ahmad Moten Sr., and linebacker Chase Smith.
This is the second time the eight-year veteran has been named on the Butkus Award Watch List. Along with that, Toure received ACC Preseason All-ACC team (LB) honors.