Canes sorting through offensive issues entering spring
Five questions to be answered on offense when Miami Hurricanes spring football begins on Saturday:
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How will players adapt to new coordinator Shannon Dawson’s offense?
Look for the new scheme to include lots of Dawson’s Air Raid and spread elements but also an evolved running game. In some ways, it will resemble Rhett Lashlee’s
UM system in 2021, but with more balance and more power running.
Though Dawson’s Houston team threw nearly 100 times more than it ran last season, the UM offense is expected to be more balanced. But coach Mario Cristobal is comfortable with UM spreading the field more than it did under ousted coordinator Josh Gattis.
Dawson’s system will allow quarterback Tyler Van Dyke “to utilize the best players around him,” said former UM quarterback Malik Rosier, who has coached Van Dyke as Florida director for Quarterback Country.
“Coach Dawson can create spacing, understands how to attack defenses,” Rosier said. “The offense that coach Dawson brings is perfect for Tyler.
“I think this year will be a little more spread than last season. The reason Mario bought [Dawson] in was to upgrade the pass game and give them something a little more cuttingedge.”
Rosier said Cristobal will tell Dawson the runs that he likes to use and will ask Dawson to incorporate his own favorite running plays. UM’s run game should be improved behind a significantly augmented offensive line.
“The thing I like with Dawson is he can be creative with the quick game and using motions to create challenges for the defense,” Rosier said. “One thing I like is he free releases the back. I like how [he often has] a lot of people in the flat, which stretches you vertically. He uses the backs and tight ends to create passing lanes.”
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Will someone wrest the starting running back job from Henry Parrish?
Parrish was decent last season, averaging 4.7 per carry, down from 5.3 in 2021 at Mississippi. But he probably would be a No. 2 back on a very good team.
Parrish averaged 2.6 yards after contact, compared with 2.9 for Jaylan Knighton, who transferred to SMU to play for Lashlee.
The hope is that Don Chaney Jr .or TreVonte’ Citizen — both off knee injuries — can regain their high school form. Citizen reportedly isn’t ready for full practices. Chaney was in a car accident this offseason but is fine, his father said.
Don’t be surprised if freshman Mark Fletcher pushes for playing time in August. But neither he nor fellow freshman running back Christopher Johnson is enrolled this spring.
Will starting boundary ● receivers emerge?
Xavier Restrepo is considered Miami’s best receiver, but he’s at his best in the slot. Cristobal has said he wants to add two outside (boundary) receivers, but the Canes have come up empty so far in the portal. Another two-week window to enter the portal begins May 1.
The question is whether
Brashard Smith and
Jacolby George can take the step from decent college receivers to very good ones. Cristobal praised them recently and said last season that he believes Smith can become one of the best receivers in the country.
George, who led UM in average yards after the catch last season (7.2), remains a slight frontrunner for one starting boundary job.
Second-year receiver
Isaiah Horton has impressed in voluntary offseason workouts. And highly regarded freshmen playmakers Robbie Washington and Nathaniel Joseph are enrolled and will participate in spring ball.
UM has solid rotation pieces in Frank Ladson and Colbie Young and a decent depth player in
Michael Redding. But those are No. 4 to No. 6 caliber receivers on a great roster.
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How will the offensive line sort out?
The line looks much better on paper, and needs to be. UM averaged a measly 3.3 yards per rush against FBS teams, which was 110th of 131 FBS schools. And the Canes allowed 2.92 sacks per game, which tied for 109th most.
Both former Alabama guard Javion Cohen and ex-UCF center Matt Lee
are enrolled and very likely will step into the starting lineup.
“Javion, he’s a big man,” offensive line coach Alex Mirabal said on Josh Darrow’s UM podcast. “Javion started 20 games at Alabama. In the run game he’s a bully.”
And Lee “has played 40 games and started 36,” Mirabal said. “He’s a really good athlete. His urgency matches coach Cristobal’s.”
Three of the five freshmen offensive linemen are enrolled and ready for spring football: five-star tackles Francis Mauigoa
and Samson Okunlola,
plus guard Antonio Tripp.
Zion Nelson, if healthy, and the two five-star freshmen are likely the best options at tackle. But Nelson’s knee issues remain an ongoing concern. The question is whether either or both five-star freshmen tackles will be ready to be starters this fall.
Jalen Rivers and Anez Cooper will compete at one guard spot.
Sagapolu, Laurance Seymore, Chris Washington and Ousman Traore also will be in the mix.
Freshman tackles Frankie Tinilau and Tommy Kinsler arrive later this year. D.J. Scaife, Justice Olawasuen and John Campbell (portal) all departed.
How will the tight
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end depth chart sort out?
Elijah Arroyo is the slight front-runner to replace Will Mallory, but Arroyo needs to work off any rust after sustaining a season-ending injury on Sept. 24.
A role likely will be carved out for Oregon transfer Cam McCormick; as a run blocker, PFF rated him 39th among 451 FBS tight ends last season.
Sophomore Jaleel Skinner, who was recruited by Alabama and many others, will have every opportunity to earn playing time, but he must improve his blocking and eliminate drops
(he dropped two of the 16 passes thrown to him last season).
Kahlil Brantley and
Dom Mammarelli will see if they work their way into roles; they’re portal possibilities if they don’t. Both new tight ends — top recruit Riley Williams and fellow freshman Jackson Carver — are enrolled.
Quick note: Momentum continues to build toward UM “analyst” and former Dolphins Hall of Famer
Jason Taylor being promoted to a position on the Canes’ coaching staff, replacing defensive ends coach Rod Wright, who joined the Houston Texans.