O-line ready for ‘big test’ vs. Alabama
The Miami Hurricanes didn’t need to make significant external additions to their offensive line to feel like the unit improved.
They simply needed to get healthier and make a few internal changes not only with the hope a bigger and more athletic offensive line would give the rushing attack a boost after last season’s inconsistent outings, but also give UM a better chance of winning the line-of-scrimmage battle against Alabama’s front seven on Saturday.
“We’ve got the guys all really in their best positions,” offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee said. “Looking back last year, [with the run game] that’s where we struggled with, internally. Hopefully that can help us there moving forward.”
One reason Miami is optimistic that it’ll fare better in the run game after ranking No. 117 in the nation in tackles for losses allowed per game (7.91) in 2020 is a healthier Navaughn Donaldson, the fifth-year offensive lineman who missed most of last season due to tearing the ACL and MCL in his right knee toward the end of 2019.
Donaldson, who’s listed at 6 foot 6 and 348 pounds, will be the Hurricanes’ starting right guard in their season opener against the Crimson Tide. He gives Miami more size at the position compared to last year’s starter, DJ Scaife, who’s 6-3 and 305 pounds.
“Having Navaughn back,” Lashlee said, “he is a big guy with a lot of starts and for as big as he is, he is athletic,”
Jalen Rivers, a 6-5, 325-pound second-year freshman, will be the starting left guard with last year’s starter Jakai Clark (6-3, 300) moving to backup center behind Corey Gaynor (6-4, 305).
“A guy like Jalen Rivers is a big, athletic body,” Lashlee said. “I know he’s young, so there’s going to be a learning curve, but he has been here and been in our system for a year and an offseason program. He’s earned that opportunity.”
Donaldson’s return to a starting role and Rivers joining the starters after being used as a reserve last season has resulted in Scaife becoming Miami’s starting right tackle, which
Lashlee felt was his more natural position, with Zion Nelson (6-5, 315) lining up as the left tackle.
With Donaldson and Rivers at guard, the size of Miami’s offensive line is similar to one of an SEC program. The players on the Hurricanes’ starting offensive line, on average, are bigger than those on Alabama’s starting offensive line, which will help Miami battle against a team that’s expected to have one of the better defenses in the country.
“It’s a big test for those guys,” coach Manny Diaz said. “They’ve all improved and come a long way. There’s going to be a lot of adversity they’re going to face, but I think they’re ready for that. I think they want that challenge.”
Tight end sets: Elijah Arroyo was one of two true freshman listed on Miami’s two-deep depth chart for the season opener, listed as the backup tight end behind starter Will Mallory.
Arroyo, a former fourstar prospect out of Independence High School in Frisco, Texas, has impressed coaches and Mallory with his size (6-4, 252), physicality and ability to make plays.
Lashlee said it was a possibility that Arroyo and Mallory could line up together in two tight-end sets against Alabama.
“Elijah Arroyo’s earned the opportunity to be in that No. 2 spot with what he’s done during this fall camp,” Lashlee added. “He’s still just a freshman, so like all those guys you may see some growing pains, but we have a lot of confidence in him.”
King clothing NIL deal:
UM quarterback D’Eriq King has agreed to another name, image and likeness deal, this time with Dyme Lyfe, the officially licensed University of Miami clothing brand ran by former UM star D.J. Williams.
As a part of the deal, Dyme Lyfe launched the “King Collection” on Wednesday, with shirts and hats featuring King’s likeness and the Hurricanes logo available for pre-order.
The deal is the “first collaboration between an apparel brand and an athlete officially licensed to use the team’s logos and marks,” according to Dyme Lyfe.