Miami roster breakdown: As Tyler Van Dyke and others depart, where do Hurricanes stand?
Another interesting offseason awaits Mario Cristobal and the Miami Hurricanes after a two-win improvement in the standings from Year 1.
Miami made some significant statistical improvements, finishing as one of 20 Power 5 schools to rank in the top 50 in scoring offense and defense.
What held Miami back from finishing better than 7-5: its 21 turnovers, tied with Clemson for the third most among Power 5 teams headed to a bowl game (only UCLA and Cal had more). Most of those came via the quarterback position, with Tyler Van Dyke accounting for 12 interceptions, the third most in the ACC.
Monday, the expected exodus of players began with four former starters entering the transfer portal, including Van Dyke.
Transfer portal departures Year (Class)Tyler Van Dyke
R-Jr. (2020)
Don Chaney Jr.
R-So. (2020)
Jahfari Harvey
R-Jr. (2019)
Corey Flagg Jr.
R-Jr. (2020)
Cristobal said he expected the Hurricanes to add more than 30 new players to the roster this offseason. The 2024 recruiting class — ranked 11th in the 247Sports Composite — features 26 commitments, including five top-100 recruits.
“Everything is moving in a positive direction with a lot of progress,” Cristobal said during a Monday appearance on 560 WQAM. “From a personnel standpoint, it is night and day as opposed to what we walked into. A lot of it is still developing and just got here. What is really important is the development of the DNA.
“We need another big recruiting haul. We need another 30-plus guys in the mold of a Rueben Bain, a Mark Fletcher, a Damari Brown . Another really good young class and then some portal guys.”
Jacurri Brown
So.
Emory Williams
Fr.
Emory Williams , who started and beat Clemson when Van Dyke was injured, should be back from a broken left arm in time for spring football, Cristobal said. It’s unclear if Jacurri Brown , a Georgia native who made two starts for Miami in 2022, will stick around. Either way, expect Miami to look for quarterback help in the transfer portal.
Will Rogers is the name to watch. Cristobal recently began following him on X, formerly Twitter. The potential grad transfer started 40 games at Mississippi State , completing 69 percent of his passes for 12,315 yards, 94 touchdowns and 28 interceptions.
Recruiting: Judd Anderson, a three-star (No. 1,057 in the 247Sports Composite) from Warner Robins, Ga., committed to Miami in April, choosing the Canes over fellow finalists UConn and Georgia Tech . He was hand-picked by offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson after the Hurricanes lost a battle with Ohio State for five-star Air Noland. Miami recently offered local three-star Cedrick Bailey, who has been committed to NC State since March. Bailey is the high school teammate of Miami four-star receiver commitment Jojo Trader.
Running back
Henry Parrish Jr.
R-Jr.
Ajay Allen
R-Fr.
TreVonte' Citizen
R-Fr.
-
-
Mark Fletcher Jr.
Fr.
Chris Johnson Jr.
Fr.
-
Miami went from finishing ninth in yards per carry (3.74) to second (5.20) in the league with a deep stable of backs led by Henry Parrish Jr. (579 yards, six TDs) and Mark Fletcher Jr. (512 yards, five TDs). It was inevitable that someone would leave a crowded backfield, and more still could. Donald Chaney Jr. (478 yards, two TDs) was third on the team in rushing yards.
Recruiting: Four-star Kevin Riley (No. 72 in the 247Sports Composite) from Northport, Ala., is one of two running backs committed and — if he isn’t swayed by Alabama or Auburn to stay home at the last minute — should inject himself into the rotation right away, the way Fletcher did this season.
Wide receiver
Xavier Restrepo
R-Jr.
Michael Redding III
R-So.
Colbie Young
Jr.
Jacolby George
Jr.
Brashard Smith
Jr.
Isaiah Horton
R-Fr.
Nathaniel Joseph
Fr.
-
Robby Washington
Fr.
-
Shemar Kirk
Jr.
Unranked (2021)
-
-
Tyler Harrell
R-Sr.
Frank Ladson
R-Sr.
There will undoubtedly be departures from this group, and one could be Xavier Restrepo , who led Miami with 74 catches, 993 yards and five touchdowns. He and Van Dyke are close friends, and the wide receiver could follow Van Dyke to his next destination. Jacolby George (55 catches, 851 yards, eight TDs) and Colbie Young (47 catches, 563 yards, five TDs) are well positioned to thrive with Miami’s next quarterback. It wouldn’t surprise many if Smith (22 catches, 263 yards, two TDs) and one or two other receivers also left.
Recruiting: Trader (No. 38 in the 247Sports Composite) and Ny Carr (No. 44) are the top two commitments and among three four-star receiver recruits in the class. Four-star Chance Robinson (No. 153) took visits to Ohio State and Florida but is expected to stick with the Hurricanes. Miami is still pushing for No. 1 overall recruit Jeremiah Smith, Trader’s teammate, and could have the Ohio State commitment’s mother in its corner.
Tight end
Cameron McCormick
R-Sr.
Elijah Arroyo
R-So.
Jaleel Skinner
So.
Riley Williams
Fr.
-
Jackson Carver
Fr.
-
It’s not often the tight end position has a down year at Miami, but it did. Cameron McCormick (eight catches, 62 yards), Riley Williams (seven catches, 59 yards, one TD), Elijah Arroyo (one catch, 11 yards) and Jaleel Skinner (one catch, 9 yards) combined for 17 catches, 141 yards and a touchdown. It wouldn’t be a surprise to many if Skinner, a South Carolina native, departs after a season in which he simply couldn’t work himself into the rotation.
Recruiting: Four-star Elijah Lofton from Las Vegas Bishop Gorman has been committed since June and would be a dynamic playmaker for Miami if he remains in the class. He has been pursued by Texas. Miami has also made a push recently for three-star Stanford commitment Benjamin Blackburn, a standout at Cristobal’s old high school, Miami Columbus.
Offensive line
Matt Lee
R-Jr.
Jalen Rivers
R-So.
Javion Cohen
Jr.
Anez Cooper
So.
Francis Mauigoa
Fr.
Zion Nelson
R-Jr.
Matthew McCoy
R-Fr.
-
Ryan Rodriguez
R-So.
-
Samson Okunlola
Fr.
-
Logan Sagapolu
R-So.
Jonathan Denis
R-So.
Chris Washington
R-Fr.
-
Antonio Tripp
Fr.
-
-
Tommy Kinsler
Fr.
-
Frankie Tinilau
Fr.
-
-
Luis Cristobal
R-Jr.
Javion Cohen , Miami’s starting left guard, has already announced his intention to play in the Senior Bowl, and it’s unclear whether starting center Matt Lee will return or go pro. Another burning question: Will Zion Nelson , Miami’s former starting left tackle, play again? He hasn’t since the Texas A&M game a year ago. Assuming he doesn’t and Lee leaves, Miami will likely turn to Matthew McCoy and either another young player on its roster or a new addition to fill out the starting five. There should also be a few departures among the non-freshmen.
Recruiting: Miami has five offensive linemen committed, but none is a blue-chipper. Soon-to-be junior college signee Markel Bell (6 feet 8, 340 pounds) is the most game-ready to be inserted into the lineup.
Defensive line
Rueben Bain Jr.
Fr.
Leonard Taylor III
Jr.
Jared Harrison-Hunte
R-Jr.
Akheem Mesidor
R-Jr.
Nyjalik Kelly
So.
Thomas Gore
R-Jr.
Chantz Williams
Jr.
-
Cyrus Moss
R-Fr.
-
Ahmad Moten
R-Fr.
-
Jayden Wayne
Fr.
-
Joshua Horton
Fr.
-
Anthony Campbell
Jr.
No stars (2021)
-
Collins Acheampong
Fr.
-
-
Jake Lichtenstein
R-Sr.
Branson Deen
R-Sr.
Some draft pundits have projected Leonard Taylor III as a potential early entry into the NFL Draft, but it’s unclear if he’ll be back. Jahfari Harvey is likely to be one of a couple of upperclassmen who look for opportunities elsewhere. Akheem Mesidor and Nyjalik Kelly were lost to injuries in the first half of the season and were missed. Assuming they’re back, that should buy time for Cristobal to ease in some of the players he signed in the 2023 cycle.
Recruiting: Four-star Marquise Lightfoot (No. 58 in the 247Sports Composite) from Chicago’s Kenwood Academy will provide help on the edge, but Miami is still looking for more help at defensive tackle after trying and failing to land some elite prospects. It wouldn’t be a surprise, though, if Miami’s NIL collective is successful in flipping someone late. There are six defensive line commitments.
Francisco Mauigoa
Jr.
Wesley Bissainthe
So.
Chase Smith
R-So.
-
Raul Aguirre Jr.
Fr.
-
Bobby Washington Jr.
Fr.
-
Malik Bryant
Fr.
-
Marcellius Pulliam
Fr.
-
K.J. Cloyd
Gr.
Keontra Smith
R-Sr.
Ryan Ragone
R-Sr.
No stars (2018)
-
Cristobal signed five linebackers in the 2023 cycle, and many appear ready to contribute, having played quite a bit on special teams this season. Keeping Francisco Mauigoa and Wesley Bissainthe around to lead the unit will help the group deal with the departures of K.J. Cloyd and Corey Flagg Jr.
Recruiting: Two three-star linebacker prospects are committed — Alabama native Cameron Pruitt (No. 468 in the 247Sports Composite) and Miami Central standout Vincent Shavers (No. 548) — to help provide depth behind the emerging freshmen already on the roster. Pruitt, though, could switch to safety.
Defensive back
Daryl Porter Jr.
Jr.
Davonte Brown
Jr.
James Williams
Jr.
Kamren Kinchens
Jr.
Jadais Richard
R-Fr.
Jaden Harris
R-Fr.
Brian Balom
R-So.
-
Damari Brown
Fr.
Markeith Williams
R-Fr.
-
Robert Stafford
Fr.
-
-
Kaleb Spencer
Fr.
-
-
Jaden Davis
R-Sr.
Te'Cory Couch
R-Sr.
Odds are pretty good there will be departures in Miami’s secondary beyond Jayden Davis and Te’Cory Couch , with James Williams and Kamren Kinchens held in high regard among draft-eligible safeties. Depth could become an issue if Miami loses any young player tied to the future beyond those four. We know the staff feels good about Daryl Porter Jr. ’s growth and what it saw late in the season from Damari Brown and Jadais Richard . Still, it makes sense for Miami to find safety help in the portal should James Williams and Kinchens depart.
Recruiting: Five defensive backs are committed to Miami but none is as highly touted as four-star safety Zaquan Patterson (No. 70 in the 247Sports Composite) from Hollywood (Fla.) Chaminade. Some think he could step on the field right away and start for the Hurricanes in 2024.
(Photo of Mario Cristobal: Eric Espada / )
