Way Too Early Predictions On Miami's First-Team For 2024
Miami is only a week through spring practice, but that won't stop us from looking ahead at what the Hurricanes will look like heading to The Swamp to start the season off this coming August.
After going 7-6 last season, Miami saw plenty of players leave the program but a new wave of players came as well. To go along with some key returners to the roster, here's how I forecast the Hurricanes to come out in Week 1:
QB1: Cam Ward (SR)
There's no doubt there's plenty of competition in the room, but Ward wouldn't come to Miami to ride the bench. He's expected to have his name in Heisman talks with +2000 odds (per FanDuel Sportsbook) as he can impact the game with his arm and legs (eight rushing touchdowns in 2023). As a bonus nugget, expect for freshman Judd Anderson and sophomore Emory Williams to exercise their redshirt.
RB1: Henry Parrish Jr. (SR) OR Mark Fletcher Jr. (SO)
As was seen in Miami's running back room last year, it's a committee that tends to ride with the hot hand on a game-to-game basis. While Fletcher is still recovering from injury this offseason, he should be good to go by the Fall and will look to improve upon a solid freshman season. Parrish still has plenty to prove as he could very well accumulate a 1,000-yard scrimmage year in another system.
WR: Xavier Restrepo (SR), Jacolby George (SR), Isaiah Horton (SO)
Don't expect much change in this room, as last year showed us that Horton was going to be the eventual successor to Colbie Young. Now with Young off to Georgia, Horton should slot into that role alongside the best wide receiver duo in the conference. With plenty of talent in the wide receiver room, Shannon Dawson might be forced to experiment with four wide receiver sets to utilize it.
TE1: Elijah Arroyo (JR)
A player who has received immense praise from the coaching staff as of late, Arroyo was on the Mackey Award Watchlist before spending most of last season sidelined due to injury. Arroyo has the physical tools to succeed but hasn't gotten the opportunity yet while at Miami due to the talent in front of him. If Coach Dawson can tap into his skill set, he could be a candidate for a 30-catch season.
OL (from left to right): Jalen Rivers (JR), Luis Cristobal Jr. (SR), Zach Carpenter (SR), Anez Cooper (JR), Francis Mauigoa (SO)
An offensive line that would combine for over 75 starts, Miami took two hits by losing Matt Lee and Javion Cohen to the NFL but has the depth to replace them. Insert transfer Carpenter to fill the void for Lee and Cristobal Jr. to slide in for Cohen. Whatever the combination may be, Alex Mirabal is a talent developer on the offensive line and will get the best out of the group.
DE: Rueben Bain Jr. (SO), Elijah Alston (SR)
There shouldn't be a surprise to see Bain at the top of this depth chart, as he finished his freshman campaign with 7.5 sacks en route to a consensus Freshman All-American season. Playing alongside him I project to be the Marshall transfer Alston who has a lot of people on Miami's staff excited.
Alston graded out as the top transfer edge per PFF by a significant amount with a 91.4 grade. While it would take a lot for Bain to move down this depth chart, there's still plenty of talent in this room that could threaten Alston's spot.
DL: Jared Harrison-Hunte (SR), Marley Cook (SR)
Harrison-Hunte has been a contributing piece to Miami's defensive line for four seasons now, and this is the year where I see him taking command in the interior. Insert alongside him MTSU transfer Cook who just recently set the all-time squat record for the Hurricanes.
This is probably the position group I expect to see the most rotation with the depth there is, and don't be surprised if freshman Justin Scott comes in during the summer and makes some noise.
LB: Francisco Mauigoa (SR), Wesley Bissainthe (JR)
One of Miami's top returners and overall players for the upcoming season, "Kiko" Mauigoa projects as one of the top linebackers in the country heading into next season. Now with some exits in this room as well, expect Bissainthe to finally take command alongside Mauigoa to form a top tandem. If Miami opts to play with three linebackers, sophomore Raul Aguirre Jr. is a name to pay attention to.
CB: Daryl Porter Jr. (SR), Jadais Richard (JR), Damari Brown (SO)
A room with a lot of question marks heading into spring, these are Miami's top three guys and who I expect to start the season. Porter Jr. had one of the more overlooked seasons in the ACC last year, and could very well put himself into NFL Draft conversations with another great season.
Richard has the physical tools to succeed, and new defensive backs coach Chevis Jackson could be the one to unlock them. Brown flashed last season and should be a contributor again.
S: Mishael Powell (SR), Savion Riley (SO)
While I do still have faith that Zaquan Patterson could earn this job before Week 1, I think Miami might opt for experience in the secondary to start the season. Powell, a sixth-year senior, got a taste of success last season with the Huskies making the National Championship and has shown he can make plays in the deep third.
Riley comes over from Vanderbilt after putting up 48 total tackles (fifth-best on the team) last season despite missing four games. It's difficult to replace NFL-caliber safeties, so this could be a decision that lasts till right before the Florida game.
Additional Projections:
K: Andy Borregales (SR)
P: Dylan Joyce (SO)
KR: Nathaniel "Ray Ray" Joseph (SO)
PR: Xavier Restrepo (SR)
AllHurricanes.com is your home for all things Miami Hurricanes football, recruiting, basketball, and other athletics, all the time. Follow along on social media at @AllHurricanes on Twitter and All Hurricanes on Facebook for round-the-clock news and analysis.
