Here's what we are hearing from what happened in fall camp this week.
Quarterbacks
Tyler Van Dyke is looking increasingly comfortable with the offense, and this should very well be a return to excellence for TVD.
Much of the success will be dependent of the health of the Miami starting quarterback and his effectiveness in the red zone and third down.
The backup quarterbacks still seem not ready to take over the reins as full-time college quarterbacks. Williams seems to be the more accurate quarterback to this point, and Brown is clearly the more athletic signal-caller, but decision-making needs to improve for both QBs.
I fear that an early injury to TVD would yield a similar result to 2022.
Running Backs
The competition is still fierce here, which bodes well for Miami. Allen and Fletcher have stood out, but veterans Parrish and Chaney are all competing at a high level.
Wide Receivers
Jacolby George is the most complete wide receiver on the football team regarding route running, hands, and yards after the catch. Wide receivers coach Kevin Beard is still working with Colbie Young to use his body to shield off defenders so he can be that complete receiver. George and Xavier Restrepo have been better at the fade routes than Young. Tyler Harrell is getting open out there but has been having a case of drops sometimes. The same can be said with Nathaniel Joseph and Robby Washington. They get open and make plays with the football, but there is an occasional drop here and there. Some of the screens have been hitting for big gains. Brashard Smith is WR4 at this point and has had a good camp. Harrell, Redding, Ladson, and Horton are battling for WR5 and WR6. Redding and Ladson look much improved in the new system.
Offensive Line
Matt Lee is a significant upgrade at center. However, The offensive line is another position group to be concerned with regarding injuries. If Lee goes down, Jalen Rivers will very likely assume the center position and Matthew McCoy or freshman Samson Okunlola is the next in line as the next men up on the offensive line. Javion Cohen has taken it to another level since spring and is another valuable piece that can't be lost to injury. Francis Mauigoa is becoming one of the best recruits to commit to the University of Miami. His size, speed, and intelligence are off the charts. Anez Cooper might be the best run-blocking offensive lineman on the team, but he still needs to improve in pass pro.
What is concerning is the backup offensive linemen. Logan Sagapolu will be one of the next men up that could plug a hole if needed, but I'm not overly confident that he can be consistent all year. Jonathan Denis does not seem the same since his injury. Concerned with how effective he would be if needed. Zion Nelson will have to endure pain tolerance if he ever returns to the field. From what I've been told it's a bone-on-bone situation, and he may never return to his NFL draftable status.
Tight Ends
Elijah Arroyo is competing; participating in seven-on-seven is the clear TE1 for this offense. Miami is still taking it slow with his return. McCormick has been getting plenty of reps in run blocking and some passing plays as well. Those are the top two tight ends. Skinner has been dropping balls and has sometimes seemed to have checked out mentally. Riley Williams is not ready from a blocking standpoint, but he can definitely catch the ball at a high level. Jackson Carver is solid in blocking but is not ready just yet.
Defensive Line
This is the area of the team to truly be excited about as Miami has great players here and depth. The line seems to be settling on a starting four of Leonard Taylor and Branson Deen in the middle and Akheem Mesidor and Nyjalik Kelly on the outside. Of course, D-Line will have the most players rotating in and out, and Miami has plenty of players to do so. Jared Harrison Hunte and Ahmad Moten will be rotating in the middle, and Jahfari Harvey, Rueben Bain, and Jayden Wayne will very likely be the guys next up on the ends. You still also have veterans Jake Lichtenstein and Anthony Campbell in the mix. That's 11 guys!
Linebacker
We got a potential top two with Francisco Mauigoa and Wesley Bissainthe and a rotating three of Corey Flagg, Keontra Smith, and KJ Cloyd. Cloyd could push for the starting position. Miami has a bunch of freshman studs that are impressive in camp especially, Raul Aguirre, Malik Bryant, and Marcellius Pulliam. Keontra Smith has been playing really well in camp.
Cornerback
Davonte Brown has established himself as CB1, and Jaden Davis's tackling ability has all but solidified him at the star position, but Jadais Richard is pushing hard for playing time at both positions. Darry Porter is having an excellent camp and probably leads the team in interceptions. Porter seems to be in the driver's seat to get that position but will continue to be pushed by Tecory Couch, and Damari Brown. This is a deep room at cornerback and probably the deepest it's been in years.
Safety
Obviously the top two are the top two with Kamren Kinchens and James Williams. Jaden Harris is becoming the third safety out there and is super fast. It's certainly a battle there with Markeith Williams, and it will be interesting to see how it all plays out. Harris is having a great camp.
Kick return
Restrepo, Jacolby, and Brashard Smith have been working at the position
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