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Jerry Rice Award Winner RB CharMar Brown Transfers to Miami Hurricanes, Giving Team A Bigtime Bruiser

On3 imageby:Matt Shodell•04/30/25•

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Syndication: Argus Leader
North Dakota State Bison running back CharMar Brown (25) gets tackled by South Dakota State defense on Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024, at Fargodome in Fargo, Nouth Dakota.

The Miami Hurricanes’ running backs room just went from a bit thin depth-wise to pretty well-stocked. The team, which had four scholarship backs in spring football led by Mark Fletcher and Jordan Lyle, now has added a high-quality fifth back to the room.

North Dakota State RB transfer CharMar Brown, who was on of the FCS’s most dangerous players as a freshman last season, is transferring to Miami off an April 21-22 visit.

The 5-11, 220-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. He was stifled in the team’s only game against an FBS opponent, though, running nine times for 33 yards vs. Colorado.

“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.”

Of course, Miami is a much different level. But Brown will now get his chance to show what he can do with the Canes. UM only has 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.

“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.”

VIDEO: CharMar Brown punches it in for a North Dakota State TD

Along with Miami, Brown had Nebraska and Cal as his other finalists.

He says the major factors that went into his decision were how he bonded with the coaching staff, Miami’s strong offensive line and his opportunity to be a factor.

“I just want to be developed at the highest level and showcase my talents,” he said.

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