Tag Archive for: Miami Hurricanes

Miami Hurricanes: Pass rush needs to be key focus against UNC

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The Miami Hurricanes will have their hands full with the North Carolina Tar Heels this weekend. The Tar Heels have a potent offense, and it starts with their quarterback, Drake Maye.

Maye has thrown for 1,594 yards, 19 touchdowns, and an interception so far this season. He is coming off a game against Virginia Tech that saw the Tar Heels win by a 41-10 margin.  The quarterback was a huge reason why they were able to come away with the resounding victory. He went 26-of-36 on the afternoon, throwing for 363 yards and three touchdowns. He averaged 10.1 yards per pass.

Maye will certainly present a challenge to the Miami Hurricanes’ defense. The Miami passing defense has struggled a bit. They rank at the bottom of the ACC in yards allowed per game at 251. They rank in the middle of the ACC with 10 sacks, tied with Virginia Tech and Boston College in that number.

Miami Hurricanes pass rush has been quiet

Miami needs to establish more of a pass-rushing presence on Saturday. Jafari Harvey is the leading pass rusher with two sacks on the season. That certainly needs to change. Pass-rushing has been a bit quiet over the past couple of games. They did have two sacks against middle Tennessee State. One came from Corey Flagg, and the other came from Daryl Porter Jr.

More weapons than Maye

Maye is not the only reason why the pass-rush needs to be effective on Saturday. UNC also has several capable playmakers. They don’t necessarily have a top wide receiver. They have multiple players that can make big plays. Take for example their tight end, Bryson Nesbit. He leads the team with 287 receiving yards and three touchdowns on the season. He averages 16.9 yards per catch.

Josh Downs is the team’s leader in receiving touchdowns with four. He has 230 yards on the season, and averages 10.5 yards per reception.

They also have explosive weapons that have not gotten involved in the passing game as much. Antoine Greene is one of them. He only has seven receptions, but has 209 receiving yards and three touchdowns.

Pressure on the quarterback will need to be a priority for Saturday. Guys like Harvey and Flagg, among others, will need to step up once again. If they do not, the Miami Hurricanes could be in for a long day. Allowing Maye to sit in the pocket and have time to make his reads is a recipe for disaster.

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Miami Hurricanes need RBs to move chains in passing game

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Much ado has been made about the struggles surrounding the Miami Hurricanes’ offense. Perhaps the most mystifying part of the offense is the lack of involvement by running backs in the passing game.

The running backs have been a key part of the team, as the running game has been a source of strength for Miami.  However, there is a lack of utilizing be running backs as pass-catchers within this offense.

Henry Parrish Jr. is the leader for the running backs in terms of receiving. He has six catches for 47 yards and a touchdown. Thad Franklin has three catches for 27 yards, while Jaylan Knighton has two catches for three yards.

That’s not to say this offense is bad. They are not bad at all. Sure, the playcalling is mystifying at times. However, the Hurricanes are averaging 448.8 yards per game. That is sixth in the ACC.  That’s pretty good, if you ask me.

Getting running backs involved would benefit Miami Hurricanes

Miami needs to get the running backs more involved in the passing game. Quarterback play is struggling right now, and the wide receiver position is still trying to find that top wideout. Throwing more balls to the running backs could be ideal, as it would give Tyler Van Dyke and Jake Garcia safe throws, and help move an offense that is struggling.

The problem is, running backs as receiving options aren’t prevalent in a Josh Gattis-led offense. Take last year’s Michigan team for example. Running back Hassan Haskins had 18 catches for 131 yards. That averages out to 7.3 yards per reception. Blake Corum had  24 receptions for 141 yards and a touchdown. That averages out to 5.9 yards per reception.

Those numbers are not bad by any means. However, the lack of volume in terms of receptions certainly signals that running backs are the fourth or fifth  passing option in a Gattis-led offense. Gattis preferred to use his running backs primarily as just that at Michigan last year, and he’s doing the same with Miami right now.

This, in my opinion, needs to change. Miami does not have a top wide receiver right now. Miami also has issues at the quarterback position. Involving the running backs more would allow the quarterbacks to get safe throws and move the chains.

Simply put, it’s something Josh Gattis should look into sooner rather than later.

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Miami Hurricanes rushing attack is undoubtedly here to stay

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Yes, Saturday night’s loss was a tough one for the Miami Hurricanes. However, there were some good things despite the loss. The play of running backs Henry Parrish Jr.  and Jaylan Knighton stood out.

Parrish carried the football 16 times for 85 yards, and averaged 5.3 yards per carry. Miami’s game plan may have been a bit too conservative at times, but production out of Parrish Saturday night was a guarantee.

It’s been that way for the entire season to this point. He has 53 carries for 300 yards and four touchdowns on the year.

He ran with conviction. He ran physically, and was quick and decisive through the holes. It’s interesting to watch and see just how physically he can run, as well as his speed when he initially hits the holes.  He is the definition of a workhorse, and he showed that on Saturday night.

Knighton helps pace Miami Hurricanes ground game

Jaylan Knighton had a great night on the ground as well. He was able to carry the ball 14 times for 77 yards, and averaged 5.5 yards per carry. This was a game where we weren’t sure if he was going to get a ton of carries on Saturday.

He certainly did, running the football 14 times for 77 yards, and averaging 5.5 yards per carry. He looked comfortable when he had the football, and gave Miami a nice complementary running back on a night when the offense struggled a bit.

It’s always good to have multiple running backs who you can count on over the course of the game. A productive night for Knighton was important for him to get back into the swing of things.

Overall, we learned a lot about the running game on Saturday night despite the loss. For one, Parrish is an X-factor type of running back.  Secondly, the Miami Hurricanes have reliable depth at the position. It was encouraging to see them play well against a tough opponent, and hopefully this is something they can build off of.

This is similar to the type of strategy Josh Gattis employed at Michigan. The use of the running back was prevalent in his offense. A formidable ground game could do wonders for Miami, as they look to run a balanced offense.

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Miami Hurricanes: Xavier Restrepo injury means ‘next man up’

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A bit of unwelcome news came for the Miami Hurricanes on Thursday, as it was announced at wide receiver Xavier Restrepo would be out of Saturday’s game against Texas A&M due to a foot injury. The timetable of his injury is unknown.

This is a big blow for Miami, at the very least for Saturday. Restrepo was emerging as the Miami Hurricanes’ top receiver, and his statistics were proof of that. He leads the program in receiving through two games this season. Restrepo was becoming Tyler Van Dyke’s security blanket and a consistent weapon this season.

He has caught 11 passes for 172 yards and a touchdown. Also apparent has been his ability to stretch the field, as he is averaging 15.6 yards per reception.

Who can step up for Miami Hurricanes?

Now, it’s going to be about who is stepping up for Miami at wide receiver. There are a couple of candidates to do so. Michael Redding is one of them. He caught three passes for 45 yards against Southern Miss last weekend. He was also able to record two catches for 31 yards and a touchdown against Bethune-Cookman in the opener.

Brashard Smith could be another candidate as well. He caught four passes for 53 yards in last week’s game against Southern Miss. He showed he had the ability to spread the field.

Last but not least, Keyshawn Smith could be another big factor for the Hurricanes with Restrepo out. He is coming off a performance that saw him recorded three catches for 49 yards and a touchdown. He did a nice job of getting involved, and averaged 16.3 yards per reception.

Miami does have depth at wide receiver. However, Restrepo was really coming into his own as Tyler Van Dyke’s favorite target. Now, it will be up to the three mentioned above. as well as others,  to get the job done.

At the very least, this could help Miami figure out what type of depth they have at wide receiver. This is an opportunity to see if another player can emerge, and become a complementary piece at the position when Restrepo returns. Here’s to hoping the latter will be good to go sooner rather than later.

 

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Miami Hurricanes: Mario Cristobal’s recruiting vision crystal clear

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There were many strong takeaways from Miami Hurricanes media day on Tuesday. One of the things that I really was intrigued by was Mario Cristobal’s view on recruiting.

It has been a big storyline ever since this entire coaching staff got to Coral Gables. Miami did a good job of getting impact talent towards the end of the 2022 class. They carried that momentum over to the 2023 group, which currently ranks ninth overall in the country per the 247Sports Team Rankings.

The 2023 class has one five-star recruit and eight four-star recruits. It’s safe to say that this staff has been working hard on the recruiting trail. Nevertheless, Cristobal is not satisfied with the job the program has done so far in the recruiting department. He expanded upon that idea on Tuesday per Manny Navarro of The Athletic.

The Miami Hurricanes vision is clear

The new coaching staff hasn’t had a ton of time to build relationships. Nevertheless, the body of work that they have put together so far in the 2023 class alone speaks volumes. When you look at the level of talent that’s committed to Miami, there are some premier players there.

Cristobal’s quote indicates a clear vision for Miami Hurricanes recruiting. If this is an incomplete process, then it’s going to be exciting to see the finished product. That 18-24 month timeline should yield fantastic results with this coaching staff. The amount of connections that this staff has, both in Florida and across the country, should definitely help make this next year to two years very fruitful.

We have seen what the staff has done in a short amount of time. They should be able to put the program in a spot where they can have top-five recruiting classes every year. it starts in the state of Florida, and Cristobal in particular knows it well.

The blueprint for consistent, successful recruiting is being set, There is a clear vision here for the goals the coaching staff wants to accomplish on the recruiting trail. This should give Miami Hurricanes fans a reason to be excited, because this staff not only knows how to recruit, but develop as well.

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Miami Hurricanes: Mario Cristobal heaps praise on John Campbell Jr.

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The Miami Hurricanes held media day on Tuesday and there certainly were some notable quotes from head coach Mario Cristobal. He gave high praise to offensive lineman John Campbell Jr.

Campbell is coming off a rough 2021 campaign that saw him in recovery mode following a surgery on his leg. He did see action in the previous season, playing in seven games in 2020. He made four starts that season.  He also was able to see the field and 11 games in his redshirt freshman season of 2019 and he gave Miami Hurricanes fans a little bit of a taste in regards to what he could do.

The redshirt junior could have a chance to make an impact on offensive line now that he is fully healthy. He also has a chance to work with offensive line coach Alex Mirabal, something that should help him in his development. The potential is undoubtedly there, it’s now is going to be about him getting back to that level following his injury.

In speaking with the media on Tuesday, Cristobal gave him high praise, as transcribed by Marcus Benjamin of Rivals.com.

It’s very telling that Cristobal holds Campbell in high regard. Miami should have a solid group of returners on the line, but depth is also extremely important. Having a player like Campbell really emerge again is a welcome sign. For one thing, it means he is healthy. On top of his health, he is also to get a chance to work with a coach like Mirabal. Health and top-tier coaching should give him a bit of a fresh start.

It will be intriguing to see where he falls in the offensive lineman equation. As long as he has a solid camp, I feel like he will be able to make some noise in the fall. He has the experience, now it’s going to be more about seeing what he can do under a new coaching staff.

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Miami Hurricanes: Abram Murray gives program piece of mind at kicker

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The Miami Hurricanes were able to get a commitment for the 2024 class as Abram Murray committed to the program on Sunday night.

He is the top kicker in the class of 2024 according to Kohl’s Kicking Camps. He most recently took an unofficial visit to Miami on June 11, and the program offered him that same day.

What can he bring to Miami Hurricanes?

This is a massive get for the Miami Hurricanes as it helps solidify the kicking possession. This adds depth to the kicking position, with Andres Borregales holding it down at the position right now. Having Borregales in the fold assures that Miami will have a strong kicking game for the foreseeable future.

Murray has a very strong leg. He is able to use his strength and accuracy to make the most out of his kicks. He has a solid follow-through and plants his legs well when kicking, which allows him to have a solid base. Murray is a complete player in terms of his skill set, and he will be a nice option once Borregales leaves. Murray is certainly no slouch, and is worthy of his ranking as one of the best kickers in his class.

This is the second commitment for Miami in what is a developing but promising 2024 recruiting class. He is the second commitment, along with cornerback Antoine Jackson. We have seen the work Miami has done in the 2023 class. I’m curious as to what kind of work they will get done for 2024.

Special teams is a huge component of the game. I personally would argue that it’s often overlooked. Getting a guy like Murray to come to the program is massive. Stability at a position like kicker is hard to find. Finding a good college football kicker is also extremely difficult. Now, Miami has has two, with Murray waiting in the wings.  It’s all about depth, and Miami is building it at as many positions as possible.

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Miami Hurricanes add to loaded LB room with Malik Bryant commitment

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The Miami Hurricanes continued their strong momentum for the 2023 recruiting class, as linebacker Malik Bryant committed to the program on Wednesday afternoon.

Bryant is a four-star linebacker. He is the fourth overall linebacker in the 2023 class, and the 15th overall player in the class from the state of Florida per the 247Sports Composite Rankings.

He was recruited by the likes of Florida, Maryland, Alabama, and Arizona State in addition to Miami. Bryant was recruited to the program by Charlie Strong. This is the second linebacker that Strong as recruited in the past month. He was also able to get a commitment from Raul Aguirre on July 12.

He transferred to IMG Academy in 2020, and was named an all-American in his  sophomore and junior seasons.

What can he bring to the Miami Hurricanes?

Although Bryant plays the linebacker position, , he can come off the edge effectively as well. As soon as the ball is snapped, he is able to fire off the ball and make a play. He has a good initial speed burst, and uses that speed burst to disrupt plays and the backfield. Bryant plays more like a defensive end tham linebacker.

Bryant is a player that can come in and immediately make an impact in the Miami Hurricanes linebacker room. They already have several impactful defensive players in Jayden Wayne and Aguirre. Bryant is another solid addition to a 2023 class that is extremely talented. They rank seventh overall in the country per the 247Sports Team Rankings. This gives Miami depth and not just a body, but talented depth.

Miami now has three players in this class alone that they can build a defense around. Some fans were upset that Miami struck out on recruits last week. This commitment was a big one.

The Miami Hurricanes have done a nice job of building the 2023 class, and Bryant’s commitment adds to it. Who’s next?

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Miami Hurricanes land four-star LB Raul Aguirre, add to loaded class

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The Miami Hurricanes had a big Tuesday as they were able to land a commitment from 2023 four-star linebacker Raul Aguirre.

Aguirre  is the ninth overall linebacker in the 2023 class, and the ninth overall player in his class from the state of Georgia per the 247Sports Composite Rankings. He had a variety of offers on the table, some from the best programs in the country. He had offers from Alabama, Florida, Ohio State, and Arkansas in addition to Miami.

Aguirre measures in at six-foot-two, 220 pounds. He was recruited to the program by Charlie Strong.

What can he bring to the Miami Hurricanes?

He will be able to bring sure tackling and good instincts to the Miami defense. As soon as the football is snapped, he is immediately able to identify the ball carrier and make a play. This allows plays to be stopped before they even develop.

One of Aguirre’s best strengths is run defense. In red zone situations, he can fill gaps quickly and stop running backs from gaining extra yards.

Overall, Miami is getting a hard-hitter and a player that is quick. He is not a one-dimensional player and that’s exactly what you need in today’s game. He is a good fit for the game of football today. Linebackers now have to be fast and quick in addition to hard-hitters, Aguirre has all of those traits.

This has been a very strong month for the Miami Hurricanes in terms of recruiting. Miami now has the seventh overall class in the country per the 247Sports Team Rankings. They have been able to do a good job of getting impact recruits on both sides of the football.

Miami has landed four recruits in the month of July, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see them nab at least one more. The momentum in recruiting is strong right now, and the program has done a good job capitalizing on it.

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Miami Hurricanes: Five-star edge defender Jayden Wayne commits

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The good news continues on the recruiting trail continued for the Miami Hurricanes. They landed five-star edge defender Jayden Wayne on Saturday.

Wayne is the fifth overall edge defender in the 2023 class, and the 10th overall player in his class from the state of Florida the 247Sports Rankings. He has a numerical ranking of 95.

He was recruited to Miami by co-defensive coordinator and defensive line coach Rod Wright. Defensive line coach Joe Salave’a was the secondary recruiter.

What can he bring to the Miami Hurricanes?

Wayne will bring a massive boost to the Miami Hurricanes edge-rushing presence. He measures in at six-foot-four, 270 pounds already. He is extremely quick, and is a nightmare for offensive lines to guard. His speed burst is something that is the most noticeable when looking at his highlights. As soon as the ball is snapped, it’s like he is shot out of a cannon. He immediately uses that quickness to wrap up the quarterback.

The edge rusher position is one that has become a stand-alone position. Nowadays, elite programs have a dominant edge rusher. With how offensive- minded the game of football is today, it’s a necessity. Miami wants to take the next step. They got a player that can help them do that.

Edge rusher has been a priority for the Miami Hurricanes. We saw them rectify the problem for this year with a couple of transfers, and a promising recruit in Cyrus Moss. Wayne’s commitment takes it to a whole other level. This is a player that can be a staple of the defense for years to come.

Furthermore, this speaks to the recruiting job that the coaching staff has been able to do. They identified a weakness, and they have filled it. Not only have they filled it, they have landed an impact player.

Miami now has the ninth overall recruiting class in the country per the 247Sports Team Rankings. Wayne gives Miami their third five-star commitment in the class.

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