5 Bold Miami Hurricanes Predictions For The Season
The Miami Hurricanes football season is right around the corner, and here are five bold predictions that just might come to fruition for this team:
5. Tyler Van Dyke throws 30+ TDs and heads to the NFL
Last year there were only 13 FBS quarterbacks that threw 30 or more touchdown passes, so it’s not a feat easily achieved. Oh, and did we mention no Miami Hurricanes quarterback has ever thrown for that many? The record, per the UM sports information department, stands at 29 by Steve Walsh in 1988. But when you consider the last pass-first offense a healthy Van Dyke played in saw him toss 25 TD passes in 10 games (2021, when he began the year backing up D’Eriq King), it’s not hard to imagine him hitting 30 in the hybrid Air-Raid attack of Shannon Dawson. In fact, of the five predictions listed here, this might be the most probably to occur assuming Van Dyke stays healthy. Oh, and if he does throw those 30+ TDs yes, we think he turns the reins over to Jacurri Brown, Emory Williams, the signing class and perhaps a top transfer QB if Miami can lure one here in 2024.
4. Mark Fletcher starts 6+ games and leads the team in rush yards
Miami has a long history of true freshmen making a significant impact, including Graig Cooper (2007, 682 yards), Frank Gore (2001, 562 rush yards), Javarris James (10 starts in 2006, 802 yards), Tyrone Moss (2003, 561 yards), Mark Walton (2014, 461 rush yards) and Joe Yearby (2014, 509 yards). And, of course, the top true freshman stat-wise in Miami history was Duke Johnson in 2012. He set a UM single-season record with 947 rush yards along with 10 TDs. Now back to this year and the Canes. Yes, Henry Parrish is a returning starter, but he was only so-so last season and is a smaller back whereas Fletcher is that combination of power/relative speed that Mario Cristobal wants in his main running back. Others can push, but we think it will be Fletcher that emerges down the stretch run as the stat leader in the running backs room (note that Shannon Dawson says he’ll be using a running back by committee approach). Fletcher started to show his potential in the first open fall scrimmage with some tough running and a pair of TDs. But Ajay Allen and Henry Parrish will be guys that Fletcher needs to show he should be playing over.
3. James Williams has 10+ TFL
It’s usually a linebacker or defensive lineman that has double-digit tackles for loss (ie last year it was LB Corey Flagg, DL Akheem Mesidor and DT Leonard Taylor that each led the team with 10.5 tackle for loss). A safety almost never is in that double-digit TFL category, mainly because the blitzes from the position aren’t frequent enough for the guy on the back end in charge of helping cover and in run support. But while Williams may be listed as a safety, his role is more a rover. He’ll be lined up at linebacker in the box. At times he’ll be a standup edge. And he’ll also have his normal safety responsibilities. With Williams’ length and athleticism he’s the perfect fit for Lance Guidry’s defense, and we expect Guidry to dial up a number of ways to get Williams into the opposing backfield. We feel pretty good about Williams hitting that double-digit TFL number as long as he remains healthy.
2. Nyjalik Kelly leads the team in sacks
Kelly’s getting rave reviews out of fall camp and we expect him to have a huge role at end opposite Akheem Mesidor, with a leg up on starting from what we’re hearing from his battle with veteran Jahfari Harvey. Pro Football Focus noted last year in his limited reps as a backup (183) that he had 10 quarterback hurries. And he also had four sacks. So if you extrapolate those numbers from his first year at Miami he’d be extremely productive getting after the QB. He played 23 percent of the time last year, so if we triple that to the 70 percent a starter could play he’s looking at double-digit sacks. The Lance Guidry defense is built for guys like this, so while many might expect a Mesidor to be the main sack guy we’re going out on a limb and anointing Kelly.
1. Miami beats either Florida State or Clemson
Is it outrageous to think Miami can perhaps pull out a win against one of the two toughest games on the schedule? Sure. But these are bold predictions for a reason. Clemson showed some warts last year (had offensive issues, beat Wake Forest in OT, lost to Notre Dame, South Carolina and Tennessee), and Miami has that one at home. FSU is coming off a strong season but was struggling prior to that (four straight losing seasons from 2019-2021. Then you factor in that Miami has upgraded personnel and new coordinators on both sides of the ball that play styles that have players excited – a blitzing, attacking D and a more pass-oriented, downfield-attacking offense. Miami has lost numerous games on paper that it should have won the last several seasons. Maybe now it’s time to even that up. And remember, this column is bold predictions for a reason. We aren’t counting Miami out of either of those games.
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