Miami Hurricanes Spring Football Notebook: Parrish & Mauigoas Flashing, OL Improving
Head coach Mario Cristobal seems pleased with the progress his Miami Hurricanes are making in the third week of spring football practice.
Near the end of team drills on Tuesday, linebacker Francisco "Kiko" Mauigoa intercepted Tyler Van Dyke. Cristobal was impressed by the pick and TVD said Kiko made a great play. Mauigoa, a transfer from Washington State, has looked solid in orange and green so far.
Cristobal was very complimentary of running back Henry Parrish Jr. "He's different right now," Mario said. "I think that guy is determined to have a great season." Cristobal noted that he's getting downhill and bouncing off of tackles.
Cristobal acknowledged that Parrish's production last season was negatively impacted by Miami's deficient blocking and fighting through injuries in 2022. He still managed to lead the Canes with 617 rushing yards on 4.7 yards per carry. Coach also praised Parrish for constantly cheering on his teammates and being a great culture guy.
Tyler Van Dyke has looked very good in media viewing periods. He's clearly the best overall quarterback on the team, but I've also been impressed with the footwork and accuracy of early enrollee freshman Emory Williams and the improving accuracy and arm strength of sophomore Jacurri Brown.
Brown threw a DIME to freshman wideout Robby Washington in team drills. Washington made a great grab for the touchdown.
When asked how he's feeling after last season's shoulder injury, Van Dyke told us he's getting a lot stronger and faster. "I feel like I'm throwing the ball even better than I was before."
On the offensive line, early enrollee Francis Mauigoa, a former 5-star recruit, continues to work as the starting right tackle. Cristobal is complimentary of Francis and the other early enrollees on the OL, Samson Okunlola and Antonio Tripp. "We are throwing a lot at them. We tell them that we need you to be sophomores. We don't need you to be early enrollee freshmen. They've responded really well."
Transfer left guard Javion Cohen (Alabama) and center Matt Lee (UCF) both look fantastic in practice. Adding them to the starting lineup should significantly raise Miami's floor.
Van Dyke said his O-Line did well during Saturday's partial scrimmage. "They keep making a lot of progress and I expect them to be really good this year."
Javion Cohen says he's really bonding with Samson Okunlola. He describes the freshmen tackles, Okunlola and Mauigoa, as "freakish." On Samson, he refers to his technique as "being very close to pro" level. Cohen spent the past three seasons with the Alabama Crimson Tide, mostly starting at left guard. He was not credited with giving up a single sack at Bama, per Pro Football Focus.
Miami's starting line at spring practice has typically been, from left to right: Jalen Rivers, Cohen, Lee, Anez Cooper, and Mauigoa. Zion Nelson will reportedly be ready to come back from injury by fall camp. If he's fully fit, he will likely re-claim the starting left tackle spot.
Cohen said Miami's starting five is "not far off" from the line he played on in Tuscaloosa. He says they are still building chemistry in Miami, but the talent is there.
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