Fall Camp: Positions and Players to Watch
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Article photo of Miami quarterback Tyler Van Dyke; photo credit to Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
That’s one of the questions that Canes fans have had after an off season that saw numerous changes with the coaching staff and roster. It’s a legit question.
Here are the items that need to be seen so that Miami fans will have faith in the upcoming season, with a few additional predictions as well. Note that this will be a countdown, with the final point being the most important.
5) Competition across the board.
Compete, man! Let’s go! From the first day of camp through the end of it, Miami players truly need to make a concerted effort to get better on each rep.
Hey, after a 5-7 campaign last fall, if these are not going at it full bore, what’s that say?
Even the future NFL players like Xavier Restrepo, Matt Lee, Akheem Mesidor, Colbie Young, James Williams and Kamren Kinchens, among others, need to show elite effort on each snap of the football, too.
It’s setting an example for one. Secondly, Miami needs those top-notch players to be as sharp as possible for the key moments – like red zone plays versus Texas A&M and Florida State – that often change the outcomes of games.
Fall camp will be a major factor for how those moments unfold. As the Miami media heads down to watch practices this fall camp, it’s going to be interesting to see how much physical, and mental, effort goes into these practices. The players should be hungry!
4) Tyler Van Dyke shows consistent accuracy and playmaking ability.
It’s a new offense under the direction of quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson. From the outside looking in, it would be hard to see where Van Dyke would not benefit from a scheme that spreads the football around and focuses on providing wide receivers and tight ends with opportunities to create yards after the catch. This video from Alex Donno and Locked On Canes about Van Dyke is a great way to learn more about this upcoming season:
Back to the overall point here, another key will be throwing the football to speedy running backs. All of those throws depend on accuracy. That’s always critical for a quarterback and he’s shown, when healthy, that being accurate is something he can consistently do. There’s also one other point here that needs to be said.
The spring game is where Van Dyke took off and ran a few times. He’s not a speedster, but Van Dyke’s legs being a factor can help move the chains and be a threat in the red zone (think run-pass option for one).
3) The pass rush goes up another notch.
From this list, the pass rush is the most blunt answer. 37 sacks is really good. That’s the 2022 total. With an offense that’s going to score a lot more this season, the defense will play with a lead more often. That means more opportunities to rush the quarterback.
Miami boasts some of the best pass rushers in the country, but which Cane leads the team in sacks?#TheU https://t.co/o1vcsyQfSR via @theleftyliam
— All Hurricanes (@AllHurricanes) July 31, 2023
It’s basic math. Players like Jahfari Harvey, Mesidor, Leonard Taylor III, Branson Deen, Jared Harrison-Hunte, and Nyjalik Kelly should all be presented with ample opportunities. There are plenty of others waiting in the wings as well.
Reuben Bain, Jr. anyone?
This Miami team is loaded with proven pass rushers. 40 sacks should be the lowest output for the final season total. If not, something has gone wrong.
2) Front seven improves depth at defensive tackle and linebacker.
Who’s it going to be? Miami needs more big bodies at defensive tackle, i.e. 300-plus-pound players that can stuff the run, but it’s not like they are being created out of thin air.
Some additional defensive tackles need to find ways to step up. Additionally, moving players around for nickel and dime packages can also help improve the depth. Looking at the backups, they will receive a chance to shine in fall camp to prove they are ready to rep The U!
The one guy that could truly help with run stopping and packages, how about redshirt freshman Ahmad Moten? Cannot teach the natural body size, and he’s coming off a good spring. Keep an eye on young Mr. Moten.
1) The offensive line keeps Van Dyke healthy and the running game flourishes.
Any true Canes fan probably still has questions about how well this offensive line gels. It’s a legit concern. Talent or not – and this returning unit now has help with more experience, strength and skill via the Transfer Portal and the 2023 recruiting class – that should help Miami display vast improvement. There will likely still be questions until that’s shown in games, however.
Fair enough. That’s why it’s going to be vital that this year’s Miami offensive line finds excellent chemistry, and key reserves that can come in and play without much, if any, dropoff, during fall camp. Alex Mirabal and his staff will have one of the hardest tasks but they are used to it. Coaching the offensive line is a grind.
Five guys trying to basically do the same thing in unison on one play, and then the next it can be more individualized (at least to some degree) based on the play call. If it was easy, it wouldn’t be rewarding.
If the Hurricanes protect up front, look for Van Dyke, Henry Parrish, Jr., Ajay Allen, Brashard Smith and numerous other skill players to put up serious numbers. That’s going to make the win-loss record a heck of a lot better in 2023 as well.
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