Kings of the Offseason.

That tag fits the Miami Hurricanes, who are 12-13 in 2 years under coach Mario Cristobal.

Thursday’s 31-24 loss to Rutgers in the Pinstripe Bowl concluded another sad Canes season. This program dominates in recruiting – 2 straight years of classes ranked top-6 in the nation. They tend to clean up in the transfer portal, and everybody in green and orange looks great during spring practice.

Game time?

That’s a different story, as evidenced by this season’s highly disappointing 7-6 season.

But 2024 is just a few days away, and, with that, here are our 10 New Year’s resolutions the Canes must make:

1. Find a QB

Washington State’s Cam Ward is Miami’s top option, but he could opt to try for the NFL. Arkansas’ KJ Jefferson is also available (but also reportedly interested in UCF). Getting an elite QB is Miami’s top priority this offseason. Nothing else is close.

2. Keep Xavier Restrepo

In the NIL/transfer portal era, anything is possible. So just because Restrepo played on Thursday doesn’t mean he will return for 2024.

Restrepo on Thursday had more receptions and more receiving yards than all other Rutgers players combined, grabbing 11 passes for 99 yards and 1 touchdown. He accounted for more than half of Miami’s receiving yards, too.

For the season, Restrepo finished with a program-record 85 catches for 1,092 yards and 6 touchdowns. Better yet, he rarely dropped a pass.

3. Stop losing to teams you should beat

That includes Rutgers, a team that Miami had never lost to in 11 previous matchups before Thursday. Miami also lost to 7-6 Georgia Tech in the infamous “No Kneel” game.

4. Get better coaching from Cristobal

It’s important to note that Miami fired Manny Diaz after going 15-8 in his last 2 years. As noted, Cristobal is 12-13 in his 2 years. Not good. Game management is an issue for Cristobal, and the Georgia Tech loss will haunt him for years.

5. Get good news on Mark Fletcher Jr.

Fletcher, Miami’s star freshman running back, limped off the field after just 2 carries on Thursday. Reportedly, X-rays were negative, which would be great news for Miami. He finished the season with 514 rushing yards and 5 touchdowns.

6. Return of the TE

No Miami tight end caught more than 8 passes this season, which is quite shocking. Miami was once regarded as “Tight End U,” and while nobody expects this offense to produce another Jeremy Shockey in 2024, the Canes need to take steps to get back to that status at a key position.

7. Replace James Williams and Kam Kinchens

This is easier said than done because Williams and Kinchens – who are both headed to the NFL – were exceptional at safety the past couple of years. Kinchens, an All-American, had 11 interceptions over the past 2 years. Williams, a physical freak at 6-5 and 225 pounds, led Miami this year in regular-season tackles with 73.

Vanderbilt transfer Savion Riley will try to fill half of those shoes, and perhaps Markeith Williams can step up after he got the start Thursday. Williams made a nice break on a pass but slowed down slightly and failed to come up with what could’ve been a pick-6.

8. Replace C Matt Lee and LG Javion Cohen

Both players are off to the NFL, and their absence Thursday was felt. The Canes are hoping that 2023 backup Matt McCoy can step up to replace Cohen and that Indiana transfer Zach Carpenter can be plugged in effectively at center.

9. Improve discipline

Canes wide receiver Jacolby George is a prime example of this as he had a miserable game Thursday. His nightmare started right from the first step when he dropped what would’ve been a 75-yard touchdown pass. After that, George was hit with multiple personal-foul penalties. That shouldn’t happen on a team with a supposed winning culture. The Canes finished 10th in the ACC in penalties committed this season.

10. Beat Florida

OK, this final New Year’s resolution bleeds over into the 2024 opener on Aug. 31 in Gainesville. But, at some point, Miami’s player-acquisition success needs to translate into big wins.