Miami Spring Practice: Henry Parrish, Jr. Leads Deep RB Group
As spring practice enters full swing, a new-look Hurricanes team has many questions to answer after much turnover in the coaching staff, and especially in the Transfer Portal.
Luckily for the Canes, one constant that remained all season in 2022 is returning for another season.
Henry Parrish Jr., who transferred from Ole Miss in 2022, is primed for a great year coming off a season that seated him as a clear leader with Mario Cristobal’s team.
And with highly-touted running backs coach Tim Harris, Jr. at the helm, fans can expect some great improvements all-around in Miami’s running backs room.
In 2022, Parrish led all Canes running backs in total rushing yards over the season, posting 617 yards with 4.7 yards per carry.
Parrish also notched four touchdowns in his first season with the Hurricanes, coming second only to sophomore Thaddius Franklin Jr., who registered five touchdowns.
With Parrish at the helm, the running backs overall, possess serious power and potential that no opponent should take for granted.
Chris Johnson's playmaking ability will help bolster an already talented Miami running back depth chart.
Behind Parrish, Miami’s backfield already has Don Chaney Jr. and TreVonte' Citizen to compete for playing time, the latter of whom unfortunately did not play in 2022 due to a lower body injury that will likely keep him out of action until this summer.
All of this comes before two 2023 running back recruits enter Cristobal’s program. Those players would be Mark Fletcher and Christopher Johnson, and they will be entering school this summer. Fletcher played for American Heritage and Johnson played at Dillard.
Fletcher is a bigger body with all-around skills much like Chaney, while Johnson brings sheer speed, moves, and the ability to catch out of the backfield like Parrish.
With so much talent to work with, expectations will be high for Miami to improve. Improvements have been especially needed after a disappointing 5-7 season where the Canes ranked 97th nationally in points per game.
For now, spring practice will tell the story of Miami’s running backs and who’s going to take the next step. Look for Parrish to lead a very talented group this spring and next fall.
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