Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
A chance to shine
Seven Hurricanes who could break out in Pinstripe Bowl
The Hurricanes have a date with Rutgers in the Pinstripe Bowl in two weeks, and Miami’s roster is already looking different from the one that closed out the regular season against Boston College at the end of November.
Nine players have entered the transfer portal, and at least three who are headed to the NFL draft may not play in the bowl game — though UM coach Mario Cristobal did not say whether they would or would not.
Considering the spots that may be open for more playing time, here are seven Miami players who could have a breakout performance at Yankee Stadium later this month:
Jacurri Brown
Brown is the obvious choice for a potential breakout player. The sophomore quarterback did not play a snap during the regular season as UM looked to preserve his redshirt. But after Tyler Van Dyke transferred and Emory Williams suffered a season-ending arm injury, Brown is the only healthy, scholarship quarterback on the roster, so he gets the start in New York. Despite not playing this year, Brown does have experience from his freshman season when he started two games and played in eight. Brown’s athletic ability adds a different dimension to the offense, and he will get the chance to show whether he has improved his passing ability in the pocket.
Isaiah Horton
After redshirting last year, Horton got on the field in all 12 games this season, making his first career start in the regular-season finale. He had eight catches for 114 yards and caught his first career touchdown against Texas A&M. With wide receiver Colbie Young entering the portal, a starting spot has opened up. Horton received more offensive snaps than any other back-up receiver during the regular season. He also stands in at 6-4, filling in for the similarly tall Young nicely.
Riley Williams
Miami did not target tight ends frequently this season. Williams, Cam McCormick, Jaleel Skinner and Elijah Arroyo were targeted 29 times all season, which is fewer than the number of catches starter Will Mallory had last year. But Williams did see significant playing time as a freshman, playing 299 offensive snaps and making seven catches for 59 yards with a score. After getting a month to practice with Brown, Williams could provide the “security blanket” that a lot of quarterbacks look for in a tight end, providing a big target for Brown if he needs to dump off short passes or escape the pocket.
Matthew McCoy
The Hurricanes will likely need to fill in two spots on their offensive line, as left guard Javion Cohen and center Matt Lee are headed to the pros. McCoy, a redshirt freshman, played 112 snaps, including 41 at left guard. That makes him a prime candidate to take over for Cohen if the veteran does not play in the Pinstripe Bowl. McCoy had a 79.9 pass-blocking grade and a 61 run-blocking grade this season.
Jaden Harris
Harris got his first taste of starting when safety Kam Kinchens suffered a concussion against Texas A&M, getting the start against Bethune-Cookman and Temple. He performed admirably in those games and played 130 defensive snaps across eight games. With safety James Williams declaring for the NFL draft and Kinchens expected to leave for the pros, as well, (though he has not announced his plans), Miami could need two new starting safeties for the bowl. Harris would be an obvious candidate to step into that spot, as he has proven capable.
Jayden Wayne
One of the Hurricanes’ biggest strengths this season was their depth at defensive end. Starters Akheem Mesidor and Nyjalik Kelly both suffered season-ending injuries early in the year, but UM did not miss a beat. Wayne got 103 defensive snaps during his freshman season, most of which came during non-conference play. But defensive ends Jahfari Harvey, Cyrus Moss and Chantz Williams have all departed via the transfer portal, meaning Wayne could see some more playing time after notching 10 tackles and half a sack during the regular season.
Josh Horton
Miami has also taken a hit at defensive tackle depth. Leonard Taylor III declared for the draft, and Branson Deen is headed for the pros after playing his last eligible season. One or both could play in the bowl game, but if they do not, UM will need players to fill that spot. Horton, a freshman tackle, played just 32 defensive snaps, but coaches spoke highly of him.