Miami in communication with a recent Florida decommit
Gainesville (Fla.) F.W. Buchholz defensive lineman Kendall Jackson backed off of his Florida commitment on Saturday afternoon.
Electing to stay home and play for the Gators over the summer, Miami was a finalist for the 6-foot-4, 250-pounders commitment. InsideTheU reported in October that Jackson was a name to track and he said just minutes after his decommitment that he was still in touch with the Hurricanes staff.
Five takeaways from No. 8 Miami’s win over Notre Dame
Five takeaways from the No. 8 Miami Hurricanes’ 62-49 win over Notre Dame on Saturday.
Here are five takeaways from the game:
SHOT-MAKING ABILITY ON DISPLAY
The bench had its positive moments throughout the game with Christian Watson hitting a pair of shots, AJ Casey coming down with a steal jumping into the passing lane and then finishing it off dribbling up court for a layup during the pivotal 12-0 run, and Kyshawn George looking more comfortable knocking down a 3, grabbing rebounds, and dishing the ball to teammates. Both Casey and George were on the floor during the run and it was certainly a positive the team needed. Michael Nwoko did not have any big moments in the game and was a minus-6 in seven minutes, but it was still good to see the other three flash as they look to build on each game moving into full conference play next month. Casey only played six minutes, but was a plus-12 to lead the reserves while George was a plus-6 in 17 minutes and Watson was a minus-2 in 11 minutes.
After two straight games of not having a rebound or an assist and being held to a season-low five points on Tuesday, it was good to see a higher activity level from Matthew Cleveland who was much more of a contributor in a number of areas than he has been. Cleveland finished with five rebounds, which included a nice sequence of hauling down defensive boards to give the team stops, one assist, and a team-high four steals to go with his 14 points on 5-of-7 shooting.
After the big loss at No. 12 Kentucky on Tuesday, falling 95-73, it was good for Miami to get back on track with a league win and will have another game on Wednesday against LIU where they will be large favorites before another tough game against Colorado (5-2) in Brooklyn, N.Y. on Dec. 10. The Buffaloes were ranked in the AP Top 25 earlier this season and look to be one of the top teams in the Pac-12, which will provide the final quality test during non-conference play before ACC is in full tilt next month. Getting a pair of positive outcomes, beginning with the win over Notre Dame, is important as they aim to be one of the top teams in the ACC. Overall, the win over Notre Dame was a good bounce-back win.
Miami is a transfer quarterback away from taking a significant step forward in 2024
With the right transfer quarterback, the Miami Hurricanes football program is poised to take a step forward in 2024.
The Miami Hurricanes football program is searching for a transfer portal quarterback this offseason.
UM took a step forward in 2023, finishing with a 7-5 record in year two of the Mario Cristobal era.
Year three of the Cristobal era will be about leveling the Hurricanes up to a program that pushes for at least ten wins and competes for a berth to the ACC Championship Game.
In this modern age of college football, there will be plenty of player movement via the transfer portal and Miami will also be tasked with replacing a handful of NFL Draft entrants—and while the 2024 Hurricanes will look much different, the foundation is there to take a step forward year-over-year…
…if Miami can land a productive transfer portal quarterback.
Why should this transfer portal quarterback class be excited about the prospect of joining the 2024 Miami Hurricanes?
Read on for a look at how Miami is poised to take a step forward in 2024—with the right transfer addition at quarterback.
After the 2022 season, it was clear that Mario Cristobal needed to overhaul his initial UM coaching staff—specifically at the coordinator level.
On offense, Cristobal hired Shannon Dawson from Houston and allowed him to install a balanced attack with ‘Air-Raid’ principles in the passing game. Cristobal also went to the Group of Five level to hire his defensive coordinator, bringing in Lance Guidry from Tulane by way of Marshall.
The early returns from both coordinators was impressive in 2023.
In a big picture sense, Miami’s production leveled up significantly in most of the key statistical categories…
OFFENSE
• Scoring Offense: 23.6 PPG (No.96) in 2022 to 32.1 PPG (No. 35) in 2023.
• Yards Per Game: 366 YPG (No. 85) in 2022 to 441 YPG (No. 25) in 2023.
• Yards Per Play: 4.8 YPP (No. 102) to 6.2 YPP (No. 27) in 2023.
• Scrimmage Plays Of At Least 20 Yards Generated: 42 total (No. 114) in 2022 to 66 total (No. 26) in 2023.
DEFENSE
• Points Per Game Allowed: 26.8 PPG (No. 66) in 2022 to 22.1 PPG (No. 40) in 2023.
• Yards Per Game Allowed: 376.6 YPG (No. 64) in 2022 to 324 YPG (No. 26) in 2023.
• Yards Per Play Allowed: 5.6 YPP (No. 71) in 2022 to 5.1 YPP (No. 34) in 2023.
• Scrimmage Plays Of At Least 20 Yards Allowed: 52 total (No. 48) in 2022 to 45 total (No. 37) in 2023
In a big picture sense, Cristobal’s coordinator changes delivered results, but it is also fair to point out the areas that need improvement moving forward.
On offense, the Hurricanes must cut down on the turnovers, specifically the interceptions. UM turned the ball over 21 times in 2023 with 13 of those errors coming as an interception. Quarterback Tyler Van Dyke was responsible for 12 of those interceptions with ten of them coming as he operated within a clean pocket.
Turnovers proved to be a significant issue in three of Miami’s five losses in 2023—against Georgia Tech, North Carolina, and NC State. In those games, the Hurricanes lost the turnover battle by a combined 12-to-4 while allowing the opponents to total 26 points off those turnovers. A lot of the turnovers were particularly costly as well with six of them being committed in the ‘red area’ (or inside the opposing 40 yard line).
What would Miami’s 2023 record look like without the turnover issues on offense? It is a fair question to think about.
The systems are in place to allow UM’s players to go make plays. Now it is about continuing to level up the talent (talent acquisition never stops) and adding more players that change games.
Of those 19 teams that produced top 40 units on offense and defense, 13 of them finished with at least ten wins.
Typically, coordinators see their systems take a leap in year two of being with a program. Dawson and Guidry got off to a strong start in 2023 and a potential leap in 2024 is exciting to think about as the players get more comfortable in those systems.
Miami does have intriguing building blocks when looking ahead to 2024. Let’s get into it
Outside of quarterback, the most important area to build a championship roster is at the line of scrimmage on the offensive and defensive lines.
In 2023, Miami’s offensive line graded out and produced as one of the best in the country while the defensive line found a way to produce despite injuries to key contributors.
The 2023 UM offensive line allowed only 1.17 sacks per game, which was the best mark in the ACC and ranked No. 13 overall in the country. That marks a vast year-over-year improvement from a 2022 group that allowed three sacks per game, which ranked No. 108 in the country. Miami’s 2023 group produced the least amount of sacks the Hurricanes have allowed in more than a decade.
Pro Football Focus graded Miami’s pass protection as the No. 11 group in the country while the run blocking ranked No. 31 nationally. This 2023 group is the first time Miami graded out with a top 40 pass blocking and run blocking bunch since 2016.
Cristobal overhauled Miami’s offensive line in 2023, adding transfers in center Matt Lee from UCF and left guard Javion Cohen from Alabama along with the addition of true freshman Francis Mauigoa, a former five-star recruit. UM’s offensive line was the strength of the 2023 team.
When projecting the 2024 offensive line group for the Hurricanes, it also looks strong on paper. UM will return Mauigoa and Anez Cooper and there is a lot of optimism that the Hurricanes can bring back Jalen Rivers and/or Lee. UM is excited about the development of third-year offensive lineman Matthew McCoy along with class of 2023 signees Samson Okunlola and Tommy Kinsler.
Miami’s offensive line allowed the skill players to operate in 2023 and the 2024 group will once again feature plenty of talent.
On the defensive line, the Hurricanes were hit by season ending injuries to Akheem Mesidor and Nyjalik Kelly. There is plenty of optimism that Mesidor, who can make plays on the edge or from the interior, will be returning to Miami in 2024 and a healthy Kelly gives UM a talented pass rusher off the edge.
With Mesidor and Kelly sidelined, Rueben Bain stepped up in a big way and emerged as the best true freshman defensive lineman in the country, totaling 7.5 sacks and 42 quarterback pressures.
Miami still needs to develop depth to rotate on the defensive line, but Mesidor, Kelly, and Bain is a strong starting point for the unit. Defensive tackle will be a point of emphasis in the portal this offseason and the Hurricanes have talented class of 2024 committed in Top 100 defensive end Marquise Lightfoot and five-star defensive tackle Justin Scott.
UM is well positioned to continue to be a strong team in the trenches in 2024.
The offensive system that Shannon Dawson installed at Miami delivered plenty of production and got the most out of its players (relative to the talent level of the players).
Now the challenge for Mario Cristobal and Dawson is to build year-over-year continuity with the system while improving the talent level of the personnel.
Miami averaged 176 rushing yards per game, which ranked No. 47 overall in the country. (That number is improved significantly from averaging 127 rushing yards per game in 2022). Henry Parrish (579 yards, six touchdowns) and true freshman Mark Fletcher (512 yards, five touchdowns) cracked the 500 yard rushing mark despite missing a combined five games in the season. Don Chaney had his best season at the college level with 478 yards and Ajay Allen contributed with 350 yards and five touchdowns.
Each one of Miami’s top four running backs averaged at least five yards per carry in 2023.
After a strong freshman campaign, Fletcher projects as the focal point of UM’s 2024 rushing attack. He is the first true freshman running back at Miami to crack the 500 yard mark in a season since Joseph Yearby ran for 509 yards and one touchdown in 2014.
According to Pro Football Focus, Fletcher ran for the sixth most yards in the country amongst true freshmen. At 6-feet-2 and 225 pounds, Fletcher is a powerful back who averaged 3.81 yards per carry after contact. Generally speaking, an average of four yards per carry after carry is considered an elite mark at the college level. Travis Homer in 2018 is the last lead running back at Miami to average at least four yards per carry after contact.
Fletcher is also shifty for his size, forcing 30 missed tackles on the year.
Despite some frustrating performances at quarterback in 2023, Miami’s wide receiver group was productive during the season. Xavier Restrepo caught 74 passes for 993 yards and five touchdowns out of the slot, which was second in the ACC, while Jacolby George was the third most productive receiver in the ACC, catching 55 passes for 851 yards. Colbie Young continued on his trajectory of improvement in 2023 as well, catching 47 passes for 563 yards and five touchdowns. Brashard Smith was productive in the No. 4 receiver role, catching 22 passes for 263 yards and two touchdowns.
Restrepo, George, Young and Smith each have eligibility remaining to return to Miami and continue their development track in this offense, but if they decide to take their talents somewhere else this offseason, the Hurricanes will still feature a talented receiver room.
Ray Ray Joseph and Robby Washington are talented class of 2023 signees that bring plenty of explosive potential to the field. UM’s 2024 recruiting class also features intriguing talent in Top 100 receivers JoJo Trader and Ny Carr along with four-star receiver Chance Robinson out of St. Thomas Aquinas.
The NCAA transfer portal is already full with talented, productive receivers from around the country as well.
Offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson and wide receivers coach Kevin Beard did a nice job of developing and getting production out of Miami’s 2023 receiving corps. What would the UM passing attack look like with improved talent? That’s an interesting question to
answer if Miami can feature a talented quarterback in 2024.
Miami features plenty of other encouraging players to develop for the 2024 season as well.
Here is an overview of the intriguing talent the Hurricanes will look to develop on the defensive side:
– Linebacker should be a strength for Miami in 2024. Francisco Mauigoa was a productive addition from Washington State this season, totaling 70 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, one interception, and two forced fumbles and he is expected to return for next season. Wesley Bissainthe will continue to develop over the next year after playing 401 defensive snaps and starting nine games while totaling 38 tackles, six tackles for loss, two sacks, and one fumble recovery. The program is also excited about the development of class of 2023 signees Popo Aguirre and Marcellius Pulliam.
– Cornerback projects as an encouraging position for the Hurricanes as well in 2024 with UM expected to return Daryl Porter and Damari Brown. Porter played in nine games before sustaining a season ending injury, but he was very effective in coverage, allowing only 11 receptions for 108 yards and zero touchdowns on the year. Brown flashed impressed coverage skills as a true freshman that played 280 snaps and started three games. Brown allowed 17 receptions for 176 yards and two touchdowns on the year. Defensive line and cornerback play is the foundation of any strong defense and Miami checks both of those boxes going into 2024.
– Miami has a talented 2023 recruiting class to continue to develop. Outside of the players that have already been mentioned in this article like Mark Fletcher, Francis Mauigoa, Rueben Bain, and Damari Brown, the UM freshman class features plenty of players that will push for roles in 2024. Tight end Riley Williams played 299 offensive snaps in 2023. Former five-star prospect Samson Okunlola will be rehabbing his way back from a lower extremity injury. Defensive end Jayden Wayne played 104 snaps on defense this season. UM’s staff is also excited about the power of offensive lineman Tommy Kinsler, the size of defensive tackle Josh Horton, the physicality of safety Kaleb Spencer, the instincts of linebackers Popo Aguirre and Marcellius Pulliam, and the speed of running back Chris Johnson.
– The Hurricanes featured plenty of talented true freshmen that played key roles in 2023 and UM has a talented 2024 recruiting class on the way. Miami’s class currently ranks No. 5 in the country after flipping five-star defensive tackle Justin Scott. Stacking classes is how a program adds game changing talent, builds depth, and establishes a culture of constant competition for playing time. Miami isn’t done adding talent in the 2024 cycle and that class will help push the program forward.
Miami will need to fortify virtually every position with depth in the transfer portal this offseason (as every team does), but the most important position for the Hurricanes to address will be quarterback.
After a tough showing in 2022, the Hurricanes got back on the right track in 2023, producing a top 40 offense and defense in the regular season. UM’s 7-5 record doesn’t reflect those improvements because of the turnover issues on offense—specifically the interceptions.
With that in mind, UM will be looking to add a transfer quarterback that will 1). Protect the football 2). Make key plays when it is required and 3). Do a better job of scoring touchdowns in the red-zone.
Miami finished the year with a 57.1 percent red-zone touchdown rate, which ranked No. 89 overall in the country. The teams that ranked top five in the country in red-zone touchdown percentage (Kansas State, Oregon State, Memphis, Western Kentucky, and Penn State) all featured a quarterback who ran for at least four touchdowns on the year. Having some quarterback mobility that a defense must respect in the red-zone was an element that was missing for the Hurricanes in 2023.
There are currently plenty of intriguing options in the portal that would check these boxes and help elevate the Hurricanes to being a team that can push for an ACC Championship Game berth. Whether it is Washington State’s Cam Ward, Duke’s Riley Leonard, Kansas State’s Will Howard, UCLA’s Dante Moore, Oregon State’s D.J. Uiagalelei, Coastal Carolina’s Grayson McCall, Texas Tech’s Tyler Shough—and there will certainly be more that enter with the portal officially opening on December 4th.
Miami is on the right track and with the right addition at quarterback, UM can win at a high level in 2024.
Which transfer quarterback would you like to add in 2024? Comment below.
VIDEO: Jim Larranaga, Norchad Omier and Matthew Cleveland postgame press conference after win over Notre Dame
Watch head coach Jim Larranaga, power forward Norchad Omier and small forward Matthew Cleveland in a postgame press conference following a 62-49 win over Notre Dame on Saturday.
CORAL GABLES, Fla. — Watch head coach Jim Larranaga, power forward Norchad Omier and small forward Matthew Cleveland in a postgame press conference following a 62-49 win over Notre Dame on Saturday.
Notre Dame head coach Micah Shrewsberry is also included in the video.
