For BYU fans watching the College Football Playoff national championship Monday night, one name may sound familiar.
Suited up in the orange and green, former BYU wide receiver and return man Keelan Marion will look to put Miami back on top of college football for the first time since 2001.
The Hurricanes will once again play the role of underdog during this year’s playoffs as they face off against the top-ranked Indiana Hoosiers.
In his final year so far, Marion has recorded 56 receptions and 740 receiving yards with two touchdowns, one of which came in Miami’s most recent win over Ole Miss.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Former BYU WR Keelan Marion with a TD in the CFP semifinal against Ole Miss 🔥<br> <a href="https://t.co/KCGknAGwZP">pic.twitter.com/KCGknAGwZP</a></p>— Ensign Gridiron (@EnsignGridiron) <a href="https://twitter.com/EnsignGridiron/status/2009446040529990134?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 9, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Marion delivered one of his best performances of the season in the Hurricanes’ narrow victory over the Rebels on Jan. 8. He finished with 114 receiving yards on seven receptions. Two of those receptions came on the game-winning touchdown drive with less than a minute remaining, including a 17-yard reception on third-and-10.
Following the matchup, Miami quarterback Carson Beck praised Marion’s performance and growth throughout the season.
“Obviously, Keelan is such a talented wide receiver,” Beck said. “He had an unbelievable game tonight, made some really, really huge plays on third down, and had some explosive catches as well, and I’m just super proud of him. He works really hard, and he deserves everything that he’s earned.”
Marion said his decision to transfer to Miami was clear following a recruiting visit with head coach Mario Cristobal, a commitment he made without even telling his parents at the time.
“Coach Cristobal told me everything I needed to know on my visit, and I said I wanted to play for that guy,” Marion said.
Marion began his collegiate career at UConn before spending two years at BYU, where his speed and versatility were on full display. During his time in Provo, he recorded 1,563 all-purpose yards with eight touchdowns, two of which were kickoff returns against Wyoming and Utah during the 2024 season.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">CAPTAIN 🅰️ <br><br>📺 ESPN <a href="https://t.co/BW3AJlQAck">pic.twitter.com/BW3AJlQAck</a></p>— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/BYUfootball/status/1855465108606263612?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 10, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Now on college football’s biggest stage, Marion has a chance to cap his journey in the most perfect way possible — a national championship.