Countdown to Canes Football: No. 16 Henry Parrish, Jr.
The Miami Hurricanes want to establish a versatile running game that will complement its passing efforts. The offensive line has been revamped, and there’s more depth and talent across the offensive depth chart to make that happen.
Today’s Countdown to Canes Football player will also see more opportunities to shine with the improvements around him.
Here’s the full gamut of players on the Countdown to Canes Football list so far.
Henry Parrish, Jr.
Size: 5-foot-10, 190 pounds
Class: Redshirt-Junior
Position: Running Back
Recruitment and Background
The No. 227 player in the country per the 247 composite rankings, Parrish took official visits to Ole Miss, South Carolina, Florida Atlantic and Pittsburgh. He signed with the Rebels and headed off to the SEC West.
Parrish was a part of the Ole Miss program for the 2020 and 2021 seasons. As a player that hailed from Goulds (Fla.) Columbus, he used the Transfer Portal to come back to Dade county to play for the Hurricanes this past season.
Statistics
2020 Rushing: 56 carries, 263 yards, 4.7 average, and 2 touchdowns
2020 Receiving: 7 receptions, 59 yards, and an 8.4 average
2021 Rushing: 105 carries, 553 yards, 5.3 average, and 3 touchdowns
2021 Receiving: 21 receptions, 173 yards, and an 8.2 average
2022 Rushing: 128 carries, 604 yards, 4.7 average, and 4 touchdowns
2022 Receiving: 17 receptions, 120 yards, 7.1 average, and 2 touchdowns
Looking Back at 2022
Last season, Parrish displayed the ability to make defenders miss, break tackles, and also out run players. In short, he’s a tremendous athlete. Even at 190 pounds, he was asked to run the football between the tackles quite often. Parrish did well considering the state of the offensive line and how the overall injury situation hindered the offense overall.
When Parrish was given solid blocking, he produced. Other times, when there was not much room to run, he still played hard and grinded out what he could.
What’s Next in 2023
Parrish should see similar touches, but likely in a different role, as the offense has begun to change under the direction of newly hired offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson.
Getting the football more often on the perimeter, that’s one thing that simply needs to happen. Take advantage of Parrish’s speed and athleticism in space, hoping to gain as many one-on-one matchups where he’s going to make many defenders miss, just like on this play from 2022:
He should also improve his rushing yards per carry average to over 5-yards per tote. The better offensive line situation, by itself, will help that to happen. Having quarterback Tyler Van Dyke back in the lineup will also open up the passing game more as well.
There’s another factor that should improve Parrish, too.
More Depth at Running Back
Miami has improved its running back depth chart by adding Nebraska Transfer Portal addition Ajay Allen. There will also be two talented incoming freshmen that could push for playing time, Chris Johnson and Mark Fletcher.
Each of those new players should help Parrish, as he will be able to rotate more often, staying fresh, as well as be used even more as a receiving threat. Do not be surprised if Parrish will also be used in some two-running back sets that allow more talent to play together.
Being a Leader
Parrish has new players to help along at the running back position. As a continued theme in this countdown, how he leads Allen, Johnson and Fletcher will not only help his own cause, but the Miami football program overall.
This type of opportunity will also help him eventually leave for the NFL. Never hurts to have NFL scouts hear from the Miami coaching staff that Parrish took a vested interest in other players.
2023 Projection
Parrish will lead the Hurricanes in rushing yards and should be at least close to 1,000 yards on the season, if not go over that mark. The bigger question will be touchdown runs. That’s a bit more difficult to project, but 6, perhaps 7, touchdowns on the ground sounds about right.
As a receiver, he could catch 30 passes and it would not be a surprise. His all-around talents will work well in Dawson’s offensive scheme.
Above all else, look for Mario Cristobal and his coaching staff to rely on Parrish in short yardage situations and during big games. Parrish has earned that opportunity to be a primary player for the Canes.
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