The Miami Hurricanes’ 2024 spring football “season” is over, and they’re optimistic about the upcoming autumn season as they move into the summer. With an exceptional transfer quarterback behind centre, the top three returning coaches, and a top-10 roster in terms of Blue Chip Ratio all point to Miami.
However, the need for more never goes away! Furthermore, Miami needs to cover a few gaps left by injuries and the transfer gateway moving out rather than in. Due to a shortage of scholarships on the team, the Hurricanes must let go of a few student-athletes who were signed during the previous two seasons.
Greatest Need
There is now the greatest need at running back. Ajay Allen and Mark Fletcher missed the spring season due to injuries, and Chris Johnson Jr. and Chris Wheatley-Humphrey aren’t exactly producing spectacular plays. Elija Loftin, a self-described “athlete,” cannot be the star back in an offence a la Mario Cristobal. This spring, the ‘Canes will need to hit the portal for a running back.
Which backs are at the top of the transfer portal? Three names to watch are Derrian Brown, Dallas Hayden, and Damien Martinez. Martinez is a four-star transfer prospect who is a six-foot-237-pound back from Oregon State. He is a powerful runner who has averaged 6.1 yards per rush while scoring 16 touchdowns in his two Beavers seasons.
Derrian Brown from Buford, Georgia, is in the portal. A former Texas Longhorn, Brown is only 180 pounds and 5 feet 10 inches tall. Given that Miami currently has two scat backs in Wheatley-Humphrey and Johnson, Cristobal may be searching for a bigger back for his ground and pound offensive system.
From Ohio State, Dallan Hayden entered the gateway. He weighs 205 pounds and is five foot ten. In 13 games for the Buckeyes, Hayden—a former four-star prospect—has gained 5.1 yards per carry and six touchdowns via the air.
Additional Requirements
In order to even have scholarship space for an experienced nose tackle and cornerback, Miami definitely needs to reduce the fat. Miami may be able to get by without a large man at zero or one tech tackle by using DC Lance Guidry’s line plays, even though cornerback is a need.
Cornerback
The Hurricanes are also concerned about defensive back. Riley Williams, Isaiah Horton, Jacolby George, and Xavier Restrepo all gave the DBs a lot of cooking. I also remember a couple additional wide-open plays that the QB or WR failed to capitalise on. The biggest need is for a cornerback, and three transfer safety have already been brought to campus. However, there may still be room.
Tre’Quon Fegans, an Alabama native and USC transfer, is the first name that catches my attention. Fegans, a six-foot-one, 190-pound former four-star prospect, is tall. He would be able to match up with Miami’s larger receivers because to his size and range. Fegans was already a transfer from Alabama and saw little action in 2023.
The Nose Tackle
There’s a promising young player entering the nose tackle position. The 300-pound beast Justin Scott, a five-star prospect from Chicago, will have a promising future at Miami. But nose tackles, especially true freshmen, frequently have to learn more than just the bull rush they got away with against 225-pound offensive linemen in high school.
Unbeknownst to most, the inside DL position is far more complex. At the P5 level, there is much more to it than just “see ball, get ball.” Examples include hand placement and fighting, footwork, and the variety of twists and games.
Ole Miss transfer Joshua Harris may fill in as the big man in reserve while Scott gets some experience. Harris, a former four-star prospect, is six feet four and weighs 325 pounds. Harris has SEC and ACC film because he switched from NC State to the Rebels. Although he isn’t a “every down” player, he may be a useful plugger in third and fourth and short situations.
The Conclusion
Moving vans are ready to arrive in Coral Gables for the spring transfer portal season. With Logan Sagapolu and Jacurri Brown the newest additions to the roster, I have a hunch that several ‘Canes will be going elsewhere.
Miami must ensure that the appropriate amount of scholarships is awarded without going over the cap. It might be difficult for Miami to add an RB, NT, or CB without making a few moves. In college football, these are intriguing times to be alive.
Let’s face it: by 2026 or next season, there may be complete anarchy due to the college football landscape’s constant change. With Cam Ward starting at quarterback and the easiest schedule in the world in ’24, Miami is therefore in a win-now scenario.
