Incoming freshman Rivers could provide help on offensive line
The Miami Hurricanes’ offensive recruiting class has a potential starting quarterback of the future, a pair of All-American running backs, three standout receivers — two of which were All-Americans — and a tight end who could be big time down the road.
But most important immediately to UM may be the impact incoming All-American offensive lineman Jalen Rivers can make upon his early enrollment for the spring semester in Coral Gables.
Coming in and rooming with defensive end Chantz Williams from Oakleaf High in Orange Park just outside of Jacksonville, which is the same school that provided the Hurricanes with four years of linebacker Shaq Quarterman starting in the middle of their defense, Rivers can provide a major boost to a Miami offensive line that, in 2019, gave up the third-most sacks nationally (51) and could never consistently run block well.
“Going to Miami, I want to go in with a good mindset,” said Rivers at the Under Armour AllAmerica Game’s media day in late December. “Just doing what I have to do to get better and be ready for spring and work hard and get to know the plays, get to know everybody, get adjusted to the college lifestyle at 17 years old.”
The process of revamping the Miami line ahead for the 2020 fall season started on Saturday with the Hurricanes announcing they moved away from offensive line coach Butch Barry to hire Garin Justice out of UNLV. Rivers, who blocked impressively in the all-star exhibition televised nationally on ESPN2 on Jan. 2, is one of the 13 early enrollees the team expects to enroll to begin classes on Monday.
While UM coach Manny Diaz has referred to both Rivers and Nashville’s Chris Washington in the early signing class as “tackle bodies,” Rivers hasn’t received definite word on what position he’ll play on the line. The 6-foot-5, 329-pound left tackle comes in saying he has studied everything from guard to center to right tackle.
Wherever it may be, Rivers comes in knowing Miami will give a freshman an opportunity to play right away. Last season, Zion Nelson started all 13 games at left tackle while Jakai Clark got 12 starts at right guard. Redshirt freshman John Campbell started twice and played in 11 games.
Rivers watched that youth on the line struggle at times last season but also understands not all the sacks can be pinned on the line.
“They had a rough year and then people, sometimes, want to blame it on the offensive line, but it’s not even the offensive linemen’s fault sometimes,” Rivers said. “It’s other people’s fault, and if we get a sack, blame it on the O-line. ‘They’re trash.’”
Rivers was also in communication with Barry while he was still coaching the line to figure out what some of the issues were so he doesn’t come in making the same mistakes.
“There’s some little things that they mess up on, maybe if they’re leaning or they’re not taking the right steps,” Rivers said. “Coach Barry points out the little things all the time. He’s very detailed with his work.”
Coming in after a disappointing 6-7 season, Rivers and the rest of the 2020 class want to be the ones that spark the change in the right direction at Miami.
“Our mentality is to come in, block out the negativity,” he said. “Miami has a lot of people in their ear, and the fans and all that will say some nasty stuff, other people will say some nasty stuff. Just try to block that out, come in with a great attitude, work and get better and give ourselves that opportunity that’s provided to us and go run with that.”
Among those Rivers communicates with most in the class: fellow All-American at wide receiver, Michael Redding III.
“We talk about, like last week, ‘Are you doing your workout? What are you doing? Do you know this workout? I don’t know what to do,’ ” Rivers said. “We just talk, and he’s cool. He’s very approachable and we got along.”
Unlike most linemen entering college who have to get bigger coming in from high school, Rivers is trying to work his weight down from 329 pounds to around 315 while still adding muscle.
Rivers first reached the 300s when he was in middle school. He reached 347 as a freshman in high school and, after a knee injury, gained an additional 10-15 pounds. He had to cut his weight down from 360 to 327 in a hurry as a sophomore.
“That journey was not easy,” Rivers said. “Cutting a lot of things I really like — ice cream, sweets and all that. Drinking nothing but water. I still drink nothing but water and watch what I eat now. If I go a week without working out and just eat, I’ll gain three to five pounds. I have to implement a workout within a break and that’s why I keep being active. It’s pretty hard.”
Rivers said he took the offseason workouts he received from UM strength and conditioning coach David Feeley seriously heading into his early enrollment and will take that progress into the spring.
Rivers also appreciates that defensive end Chantz Williams, a high school teammate and fellow All-American, will be making this journey to UM with him.
“I tell him every day, ‘I’m happy you’re coming with me and I’m glad we can work with each other again,’ ” Rivers said.
Williams didn’t play in the Under Armour All-America Game due to an arm injury, but Rivers said Williams is out of his brace and doing physical therapy. He’s hopeful he’ll be ready for spring football.
Jose Borregales of FIU kicks a field goal against Miami during their game at Marlins Park on Nov. 23.