ANALYSIS: Closer look at post-spring positions that could use help from the transfer portal

The Miami Hurricanes wrapped up the 15 spring practices with the Spring Game on Friday night, and now the attention is turning quickly to not just adding more talent in recruiting but evaluating the transfer portal entrants. There’s already a huge number of new players in the portal for this second window that opened April 15 and runs through April 30. Note that players can enter the portal any time in that window and then choose their future program at any point before the final day to add classes for the fall semester.

As it pertains to Miami?

Well, it remains to be seen exactly who the program will be able to add, but certainly there are some positions that need an immediate upgrade of either top end talent or depth.

And that’s what is getting a closer look at today. If we are living in a perfect world, there are probably about eight transfers that Miami would really need to land to significantly upgrade the current situation (Miami currently has three open spots on the roster per our calculations, but it’s likely more players will be entering the portal from UM in the days ahead). Here’s a closer look:

MIAMI PORTAL NEEDS

QUARTERBACK (1)

The Hurricanes currently have three quarterbacks on scholarship, and Tyler Van Dyke is the unquestioned starter and an NFL talent. Behind him is Jacurri Brown, a dual threat who has improved accuracy issues from last year but still isn’t quite there yet, and true freshman Emory Williams, who showed great accuracy and poise this spring but still has a lot to learn. So, based on the above, there would be some level of concern for sure if Van Dyke doesn’t play the entire season, as was the case last year when he had a shoulder injury. For that reason we’d think Miami will pursue a quarterback that makes sense, a guy who perhaps can compete for the No. 2 job this year with the promise that he can have every opportunity to be the starter in 2024 (assuming Van Dyke has a strong season and goes to the NFL). Perhaps a guy like Tyler Phommachanh out of Connecticut could pique Shannon Dawson’s interest – he’s a guy that was recruited to Miami by the prior staff. And there will be more names going into the portal in the days ahead that will be worth monitoring at QB and other positions.

RUNNING BACK (1)

The Hurricanes had just two healthy frontline running backs this spring, Don Chaney and Henry Parrish. Coaches said Chaney was a bit overweight and working his way back to playing form off injury, and Parrish didn’t really stand out but certainly is decent enough as a returning starter. TreVonte’ Citizen is still in a bulky knee brace and it appears less and less likely he will be available to play this season. So that means aside from Parrish and Chaney the only other two backs would be true freshmen Mark Fletcher and Christopher Johnson, who arrive this summer. Unless Miami coaches are okay relying on a freshman or two, the team will be on the hunt for another back who can compete to start. Names will come into focus as this goes along, but there’s already a former 4-star back from an ACC opponent in the portal, Virginia Tech’s Kenji Christian. So there are and will be options if the Canes want to chase a back.

WIDE RECEIVER (1)

Good news for Miami was the receivers look a lot better and more comfortable this spring in the new offense brought in by Shannon Dawson. Jacolby George and Isaiah Horton in particular appear ready for significant roles, and Xavier Restrepo, Colbie Young and Frank Ladson have all started games while Brashard Smith is a speed guy. And true freshmen speedsters Ray Ray Joseph and Robby Washington appear ready for immediate roles. So there is depth here. But the question is whether there is a top end wide receiver. Miami’s already pushed hard for Gary Bryant, but Bryant now has a top 3 that doesn’t include the Canes. California University of Pennsylvania JUCO WR JaQuae Jackson is also someone Miami has pushed for – he had 744 yards last season with eight TDs. So maybe he could be a fit.

OFFENSIVE LINE (1-2)

Miami’s first team offensive line should be fine, especially if Zion Nelson gets back healthy. But that’s also assuming that true freshman Francis Mauigoa holds up … and it seemed evident in the spring game that Jalen Rivers is not an answer at left tackle with Cyrus Moss and Rueben Bain both beating him for multiple sacks. Rivers is very solid as a guard. So we would love to see Miami add a top tackle prospect in the portal … but that’s a heck of a lot easier said than done. If there isn’t one to grab at that spot, then the team still needs more depth with a pretty weak second team. The Canes could use another interior guy or even a backup center (Georgia State IOL Luis Cristobal is in the portal and while he may not be a top end guy he can be a depth filler, and of course is a Cristobal as Mario’s nephew) … with the idea they can emerge as a starter in 2024. So it’s worth monitoring how Miami coaches go about attacking the portal at this position.

DEFENSIVE TACKLE (1)

Of all the positions on this list, this is the one at which Miami really needs to find another top-end player. Leonard Taylor will be fine at tackle, of course, and Rueben Bain and Akheem Mesidor are ends that can also play tackle but are more third down inside guys. We weren’t impressed by the other tackles on the team this spring, and it remains a question if Jared Harrison-Hunte can stay healthy and be an impact. Miami brought in transfers Branson Deen and Thomas Gore this spring. Coaches feel good about Deen but Gore is very undersized and didn’t impress. So landing a top end tackle in the portal is a must. There are some good options, including a couple of guys that were previously recruited hard by Miami: Bear Alexander and Jeffrey M’Ba. So we’ll see which way this goes.

DEFENSIVE BACK (1-2)

The Miami cornerback play was okay but nothing special this spring, and with Lance Guidry’s attacking style that leaves corners 1-on-1 there has to be top end play on the outside. Davonte Brown showed some good things as a spring transfer arrival, but Terry Roberts was nicked up. Daryl Porter, Jr. looks good as well, and Te’Cory Couch is a returning starter at nickel and appeared at his best. So really there are three guys at corner that are probably good enough … but you want great at that position. So if there’s a top option Miami can land look for coaches to chase it at corner … and maybe Oklahoma CB Jaden Davis will get a look. Then at safety there are really just the starters Kam Kinchens and James Williams that have shown they are solid, though Williams does struggle in space at times. And in a 4-2-5 defense the safeties have a huge role and there could be three of them on the field at the same time. Markeith Williams has stepped up a bit, but Brian Balom didn’t make any kind of move this spring, and Kaleb Spencer is a true freshman who seems more like a linebacker. So if Miami can convince an experienced safety there’s a role waiting for him that would be a very good depth add.

The post ANALYSIS: Closer look at post-spring positions that could use help from the transfer portal appeared first on On3.