Skip to main content

Do the Miami Hurricanes Have Another Star Freshman Offensive Player?

Miami's freshman class continues to show a glimpse of greatness, this time in the running back room.
Jan 19, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes running back Mark Fletcher Jr. (4) reacts after rushing for a touchdown against the Indiana Hoosiers in the second half during the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Jan 19, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes running back Mark Fletcher Jr. (4) reacts after rushing for a touchdown against the Indiana Hoosiers in the second half during the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

In this story:

CORAL GABLES — The Miami Hurricanes have one of the best offenses in the country on paper, with depth that matches last season's talent.

The Hurricanes have also produced First-Team Freshman All-Americans since Mario Cristobal's return. Last season was Malachi Toney and Bryce Fitzgerald. This season, the Hurricanes could have another impactful offensive weapon.

Without Mark Fletcher Jr. taking a ton of reps during Miami's spring game, other backs were able to shine in their place, starting with freshman Javian Mallory.

"I think, since the moment he got here, he's just a very physical runner," Crisotbal said of the freshman back. "You almost underestimate him. You expect him to be really good. That's why we recruited him. But when he takes people on, the collisions and the force that he generates on contact and his contact balance is really impressive.

"Great young man, awesome young man, hard worker, runs with his pads down, understands football really well. The most impressive part about him is the way he functioned in protection. He was spot on." 

It was just spring ball; however, there is a lot to take away from his performance. Mallory's opportunity might have to come at another time due to the depth of the room, but the former four-star running back has caught the eyes of many around the program.

Moreover, it is only the tip of the iceberg for the room he entered into.

Miami's running back depth continues to be one of the highlights of this season's group. They return to the exact room headlined by Fletcher, while also a hungry Jordan Lyle, ChaMar Brown, Girard Pringle Jr., and Mallory each fighting for that No. 2 spot.

"I feel we've got to work," Cristobal said on the depth of the team. "There's no judgement right now. I don't get into that. Do I get excited? Of course. We're driven beyond what I think people can fathom in those cases. That's where we're at right now.

"We're a team that fully understands to do what we want to and get to where we want to, we have to shut our mouths, go to work, and make sure all of the focus is on us. They've got to make sure they close out the outside world." 


Follow all social media platforms to stay up to date with everything Miami Hurricanes-related: TwitterFacebookInstagramYoutube,and BlueSky.

Read More Miami Hurricanes News:

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Loading recommendations... Please wait while we load personalized content recommendations


Published
Justice Sandle
JUSTICE SANDLE

Justice Sandle is a graduate of Mississippi State University earning a Bachelor of Arts and Science in Communications with a concentration in Print and Digital Journalism. During his time in Starkville, he spent a year as an intern working for Mississippi State On SI primarily covering basketball, football, baseball, and soccer while writing, recording, and creating multimedia stories during his tenor. Since graduating, he has assumed the role of lead staff writer for Miami Hurricanes On SI covering football, basketball, baseball, and all things Hurricanes related.

Share on XFollow Justice_News5