ANALYSIS: 5 key things we learned about Miami’s offense this spring
With spring practice now in the rearview mirror, it’s time to take a look at some of the key things we learned about this year’s Miami Hurricanes team. Today we’re breaking down five areas on the offensive side:
5. AT LEAST TWO TRUE FRESHMEN WILL MAKE AN IMPACT
One of the more interesting developments this spring was the way in which Miami was utilizing true freshman tight end Elija Lofton. Lofton was lined up at tailback at times, was in the slot and split out wide. There’s no doubt he will be a part of the team’s game plans this fall – his versatility, how quickly he picks things up and the need at the position after no one had more than 100 yards receiving last year demands it. Then you look at wide receiver and you see JoJo Trader out there making highlight grabs a regular basis and getting open against the Miami DBs fairly regularly. With only two returning receivers that put up any real kinds of numbers last year (Xavier Restrepo, Jacolby George), the need is there for a guy like Trader to contribute right away. And we expect that. Also don’t sleep on fellow freshman WR Ny Carr, who flashed at times, or freshman RB Jordan Lyle when he arrives this summer. The running back spot has very thin depth due to injury and the departure of Henry Parrish, and Lyle could solve a lot of depth questions at the position when he arrives given his combination of size and speed. Miami also, of course, is chasing top portal talent at RB with Oregon State’s Damien Martinez set to visit later this month.
4. RUNNING BACK DEPTH IS AN ISSUE THAT NEEDS ADDRESSING REGARDLESS OF PORTAL ADDITION
We touched on this above, but the running backs room has a lot of question marks. Last year’s starters were Henry Parrish and Mark Fletcher, but Parrish has transferred and Fletcher suffered a major foot injury in the bowl game and there are no guarantees he’ll be ready for the start of the season. So where does that leave Miami? Well, it’s a room full of freshmen and sophomores, and TreVonte’ Citizen transferred out of his major injury. Ajay Allen was banged up in the spring but should be able to help the team if he keeps his head on straight. Then there is redshirt freshman Christopher Johnson, who was with the first team this spring but whose build makes him more of a change-of-pace back, while true freshman Chris Wheatley-Humphrey was still learning the ropes in spring ball. Jordan Lyle is a highly touted freshman but wont arrive till the summer. So you can see the issues here, and maybe the team really needs more than one portal guy here. You didn’t see a lot out of this group in the spring game and TE Elija Lofton worked in as well in the backfield. As far as the portal goes, keep an eye on Oregon State RB transfer Damien Martinez. He visits at the end of the month and would be a great fit.
3. THE TIGHT ENDS ROOM WON’T BE A CONCERN
Last year the injury to Elijah Arroyo really set this group back, as Cam McCormick is really only a blocking tight end and then you had then-true freshmen Riley Williams and Jackson Carver as the other two options. Williams had his chances but was up-and-down, perhaps to be expected of a first-year player, while Carver redshirted to bulk up. So why are we bullish on this year’s tight ends room? Well, Arroyo looked no worse for wear for the most part this spring, and a real boon to the room is the addition of freshman Elija Lofton. Lofton moved all over the place as an H-back, from the offensive backfield to slot to split out wide. He has good enough size and speed and soft hands and should be a major target in the passing game. With Arroyo also back and Williams having last year under his belt there’s no reason the tight ends can’t really help Cam Ward and the offense add another dimension to the Shannon Dawson attack.
2. THERE’S NO ANSWER YET ON THE 5TH STARTER ON THE OL
You can go ahead and pencil in three returning starters (Francis Mauigoa, Anez Cooper and Jalen Rivers) along with veteran Indiana starting center Zach Carpenter as four linemen that will be on the field for Play 1 vs. Florida. The fifth? That’s the big question. Our inclination is it could be former 5-star signee Samson Okunlola, who missed much of last year injured. He worked at guard and tackle this spring with Mauigoa out off injury. It’s even possible Okunlola will play right tackle with Mauigoa moving from RT to left guard (where Javion Cohen started last year). Also in the mix at LG are Luis Cristobal and Matthew McCoy, who was the starter at left guard in the Spring Game. So this is a battle that will go into the fall.
1. CAM WARD IS AS GOOD AS ADVERTISED
Cam Ward arrives at Miami from Washington State, where the 6-2, 223-pounder was No. 4 in passing yards in college football last season, finishing hitting on 66.7 percent of his throws for 3,732 yards (311.0 yards per game) with 25 TDs and seven INTs (adding eight rushing scores). He picked up right where he left off and then some. Ward showed this spring he can make every throw, put balls into tight windows and make good decisions. He came back to college to try and turn himself into a first round NFL pick instead of a third- or fourth-rounder, and don’t bet against it. There’s just nothing it seems he doesn’t do well, and this Miami offense should be formidable behind his arm and legs in in 2024. Ward was outstanding in the Spring Game with throws from different arm angles all on target, shovel passes, mobility, arm strength and touch. He ended 19-24 for 324 yards with three TDs and no turnovers. Yes, he’s the real deal.
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