The CaneSport On3: 5 biggest position battles that will determine Miami’s success in 2024

With spring practice set to begin next month, the Miami Hurricanes will use the 15 sessions to learn a lot more about their team, v. 2024. Among the most important aspects to watch? Key position battles. We break down where some of the biggest are expected to occur:

5. WIDE RECEIVER

Yes, the Miami Hurricanes return their top two wideouts from last season – Xavier Restrepo, who had 1,092 yards and six TDs, and Jacolby George, who had 864 yards and eight scores. So why does this position make the list as a key position battle? Well, because No. 3 and 4 WRs Colbie Young and Brashard Smith are gone (Young to Georgia, Smith to SMU). They combined for over 800 yards and seven TDs, so that’s some production that needs to be made up. The next guy up as a third starter is likely Isaiah Horton entering the spring, but Shemar Kirk, Mike Redding, Robby Washington are returners that hope to have a say. Ray Ray Joseph is a slot guy behind Restrepo but could fill a lot of what Smith did. And early enrollee WRs are Joshisa Trader and Ny Carr (Chance Robinson arrives in the summer). So spots are up for grabs aside from Restrepo and George, which will make for one of the more interesting third starter/depth story lines of the spring as Cam Ward looks to get the downfield passing game going. Also, if no one really steps up here then look for Miami to search for a top WR threat in the second portal window.

4. TIGHT END

A year ago this time it was expected that Elijah Arroyo would start, and that Oregon transfer Cam McCormick would be a physical force as a blocker. Fast-forward to current day, and perhaps it’s not all that different. So why does this position break onto this list? Well, in part because the position was so woeful last year with just 154 yards from the entire position. Not only will the tight end depth chart be in focus this spring, but so will how they are targeted in the passing game and if it’s any different than what we saw in 2023. Arroyo’s health will also be key – does he look good off essentially two years of injuries? Could Riley Williams emerge as the guy after getting limited reps as a true freshman? He has a world of potential. Has redshirt freshman Jackson Carver developed to the point he can contribute as a downfield pass catcher? Is Elija Lofton good enough as an early enrollee freshman that he can perhaps light a spark for this position? We are not going to simply hand the job to Arroyo, who has never had a breakout, or McCormick, who struggles as a pass catcher. And we don’t expect Miami to. There will be a lot of competition, and don’t be surprised if a younger guy winds up as a difference-maker in 2024.

3. THE OPEN SPOT ON THE OL

With center Matt Lee and left guard Javion Cohen gone to the NFL, the returning starters are LT Jalen Rivers, RG Anez Cooper and RT Francis Mauigoa. Plus the team added Indiana veteran starting center Zach Carpenter to replace Lee. So that leaves the open left guard spot. We will see how Matthew McCoy looks there this spring, since he is likely the next guy up, but it was Luis Cristobal starting over McCoy in the bowl game. Another option would be to move Rivers back to guard, where he started prior to last season, and perhaps Samson Okunlola (off injury) or JUCO arrival Markel Bell can be ready to emerge at tackle. There’s other guys looking to push here like guard Tommy Kinsler along with five others that qualify as freshmen/redshirt freshmen. Having a solid two-deep is on the horizon with some of the young talent, so how the OL depth chart develops this spring is going to be very interesting. It’s also possible that the team will hit the portal in the second transfer window since UM already chased some guards in the first window.

2. CORNERBACK

Miami has back one starter in Daryl Porter, Jr., and it’s likely another starter will be Damari Brown, who got starts late last year as a true freshman. But with Jaden Davis and Te’Cory Couch gone it’s pretty wide open other than those two. Jadais Richard came in as a transfer last year and didn’t play much but has nice size and potential upside. Likewise JUCO arrival Demetrius Freeney redshirted last year and will hope to prove himself this spring. Plus Robert Stafford redshirted but could emerge as a former highly touted recruit. Then there are freshmen Dylan Day (nickel) and Chris Wheatley-Humphrey (could play RB or corner). Ryan Mack (could also play safety) and Romanas Frederique arrive in the summer. Look for a lot of rep sharing this spring as Miami coaches try to determine if they have enough at corner or need to add more in the second portal window.

1. SAFETY

With Kam Kinchens and James Williams gone it seems one starting replacement was found in the portal with Washington’s Mishael Powell. He started 26 games in his Huskies career and had three interceptions last season. But aside from Powell it’s wide open competition. Miami added transfer Savion Riley, who had some good moments as a redshirt freshman last year at Vanderbilt, and Markeith Williams flashed a bit in the bowl game with eight tackles. As of now it’s likely one of those two starts. But don’t rule out Kaleb Spencer, who has impressive size and is in Year 2 in the program. Brian Balom is more of a depth guy, and Jaden Harris struggled a bit in his opportunities last year. Freshmen Zaquan Patterson and Isaiah Thomas are on campus but are probably longshots to start. So along with finding a second starting safety the Canes need to figure out the depth situation here. Aside from Powell it’s pretty wide open.

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