2024 Recruiting Thoughts, Predictions For Tyler Van Dyke’s Statistics and More | Video
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Article photo of Miami Hurricanes wide receiver Xavier Restrepo; photo credit to Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
During a podcast (see down below), it was warranted to discuss some of the reasons that recruits make decisions. In short, what impacts the why they choose for or against any given college football program, the Miami Hurricanes included.
Know that a great deal of the decisions that will still be made by top Canes prospects will stem from how Miami performs on the gridiron this fall. Several Miami fans have discussed this point on the All Hurricanes Twitter handle, as well as the Facebook page, too.
They’re all right. Top recruits want to play for a team that has a proven track record. Hard to blame them. For the recruiting class of 2024 that Mario Cristobal and his staff have already begun to build, the biggest questions with remaining targets are probably with the offensive recruits.
More specifically, Jeremiah Smith, Lawayne McCoy, and Joshisa Trader would be three of numerous recruits that need to see marked improvement before they would sign with Miami. Again, that’s fair.
In discussion from the podcast below, four predictions for some of the key offensive performers for the Canes and how that directly impacts top recruits:
1) Miami will be a well balanced offense this fall. Do not underestimate the difference from 2022 to 2023 across the offensive lineup, but especially with a plethora of players now healthy. What happened last year – via a ridiculous number of players being out of the lineup – is all but assuredly not going to happen two seasons in a row, per the law of averages. That point will allow for more offensive balance.
2) Prediction: The Canes will be one of the nation’s best running teams once inside the red zone, and will finish with over 30 rushing scores. For reference, the Canes were awful at scoring rushing touchdowns last year and finished with just 12 (110th in the nation). At minimum, Miami should finish in the top 20 nationally with rushing touchdowns.
Assuming the prediction is even close to correct, that’s going to help the Canes win games and get a solid bowl game. It could also diminish some of the touchdown passes that Tyler Van Dyke would otherwise be counted on to throw. Safe to say, Van Dyke would rather win than throw an additional five or 10 touchdown passes anyway.
3) Van Dyke will throw 25 touchdown passes. The rest of his statistical predictions are in the podcast. Him falling short of 30 passing touchdowns might sound bad, but it’s actually not.
Miami will control games much better along the trenches, and punch it in via the running game once in the red zone. Henry Parrish, Jr. and Ajay Allen, among other Miami running backs, will have plenty of opportunities to score touchdowns behind what will arguably be college football’s most improved offensive line.
Look for a plethora of Miami running backs to "eat" as it relates to touchdown statistics.
If nothing else, Miami fans should hope that the above statement is the one that comes true above all others. Why? That means the Canes can run or pass because they want to do so. Winning football often starts up front with the big guys.
4) Finally, Xavier Restrepo – the heart and soul of the Miami offense – will lead the offense in receptions. He’s a player that all Hurricanes fans should appreciate. He finds a way to get it done. Love that young man’s effort and heart!
There's also discussion about the talented Colbie Young and how the wide receivers will benefit from the reignited running game.
Here’s the podcast breaking down the details of how this year’s Miami recruiting efforts will be impacted by how the Canes perform on the field:
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Fan Nation High school football recruiting analyst covering the state of Florida, as well as across the Southeastern United States and the state of Texas.
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