Miami Recruiting Profile: Offensive Lineman Juan Minaya
With the 2024 Miami Hurricanes recruiting class off to a great start, a player that should be discussed more would be offensive tackle Juan Minaya.
Why should Miami fans be excited? Let’s take a closer look at why Mario Cristobal wanted to bring him to Coral Gables.
Size: 6-foot-6, 325 pounds
Positions: offensive tackle and/or guard
High School: Paramus (N.J.) Catholic
Recruiting
Offered by many programs including but not limited to Florida, Ole Miss, Kentucky, Penn State, Maryland, Michigan State, Pittsburgh, West Virginia and Boston College.
He committed to the Canes on April 18, 2023.
Frame
Fits the profile of a major college offensive lineman. Frame showed size from his legs through his shoulders. In particular, he looked powerful from his upper legs. Needs to redistribute weight once he’s at Miami, but overall, Minaya definitely had the height and weight one seeks for a Power 5 offensive lineman.
Athleticism
Much more nimble in space than most players that were even close to Minaya’s size; changed direction well. That’s valuable against twitchy pass rushers. Also displayed the ability to finish blocks versus much smaller defenders that were trying to avoid being blocked altogether.
Technique
Each high school offensive lineman needs to improve technique. That’s a common conversation that recruiting analysts have with college coaches that they run into at high schools while both are scouting.
That being the case, Minaya’s ability to stay square to an edge rusher when he used a counter move was impressive. In fact, that could be the single best item to note about his offensive line skills to date.
He does need to keep his pads lower; that’s another common theme with a young offensive lineman. That will be corrected in time. Still, Minaya’s run blocking displayed consistent effort. He wanted to make multiple blocks when possible. One cannot teach desire.
For instance, he would climb to the second level and take on linebackers after moving a defensive lineman out of the way. Good sign for Minaya’s future. Here's a film breakdown of Minaya before going into his attributes.
Long-Term Positions
That’s to be determined. It’s hard to find FBS-level starting tackles. It’s not an easy skill. Therefore, look for Miami offensive line coach Alex Mirabal to provide opportunities for Minaya to play on the edge, and move him inside to learn guard as well.
Which one he ends up being better at will take its own course. He showed the ability – from a size and athletic standpoint – to play either spot, based on his junior film.
Finally, Minaya just needs to get down to Miami to start the process of being a Miami Hurricanes offensive lineman. The strength training, conditioning and film work that will be needed do take considerable time.
Look for him to redshirt like most offensive linemen that come through The U. Bottom line, his film made it clear that Minaya has the talent to one day start for the University of Miami.
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