Sports

Projecting Miami’s 2023 two-deep depth chart with new additions and where more additions are needed

The 2023 Miami Hurricanes are going to look a lot different.

Plenty of Hurricanes have departed via the transfer portal and UM has added four additions via the portal.

And Miami isn’t done in the addition phase yet.

This article looks to project the two-deep depth chart for 2023, which includes the four portal additions of OL Javion Cohen, DT Thomas Gore, LB Francisco Mauigoa, and CB Davonte Brown, along with some of the talented class of 2023 signees from the high school level.

What areas still need to be addressed in the portal?

Read on for a look at the projected two-deep for a clearer look at where Miami needs to bolster its starting line-up and depth.
1. Tyler Van Dyke
2. Jake Garcia or Jacurri Brown

Outlook: As things stand now, it looks like Miami will be returning its top three quarterbacks from the 2022 season. If that remains the case, Van Dyke projects as the starter once again while Garcia and Brown will battle it out for back-up reps. The competition within the quarterback room should be strong and one goal in 2023 should be getting Van Dyke more help in terms of offensive line depth and playmakers at the skill positions.
1. Henry Parrish
2. Don Chaney Jr. or TreVonte Citizen or Mark Fletcher

Outlook: Parrish returns as the lead back after rushing for 616 yards and four touchdowns in ten games in 2022. He also caught 17 passes for 120 yards and two touchdowns. Parrish is probably best suited to be a complementary back, so it will be important for some bigger bodied backs to emerge in 2023. Chaney is looking to make a full recovery from a hip injury that limited him in 2022. Citizen will be working his way back from a ACL injury that was sustained in fall camp. Fletcher is a freshman big framed back that will enroll at UM in the summer. This group would likely benefit from a transfer addition that brings some proven production at the college level.
Outside Receiver: Colbie Young, Michael Redding III
Outside Receiver: Frank Ladson, Jacolby George
Slot: Xavier Restrepo or Brashard Smith

Outlook: This group needs to step up in 2023. Young flashed some playmaking ability in the middle of the 2022 season and finished the year with 32 receptions for 367 yards while leading the team with five touchdown catches. Brashard Smith is the leading returning receiver in terms of catches with 33 receptions for 308 yards. Ladsoon caught 27 passes for 298 yards and one touchdown. Restrepo played in seven games due to a foot injury and finished with 240 yards and two touchdowns on 21 receptions. Miami will be adding talented freshmen that will push for playing time due to their explosive potential in Robby Washington and Nathaniel Joseph. Look for the Hurricanes to try and land proven production at outside receiver as well.
1. Elijah Arroyo
2. Jaleel Skinner

Outlook: Arroyo sustained a season-ending non-contact lower extremity injury during the course of the 2022 season. He is expected to be UM’s top tight end with a healthy return in 2023. Skinner is an ultra talented tight end that will benefit from another year in Miami’ strength program and if he can take the next step with consistently making the catchable passes that come his way, he can be a playmaking weapon due to the athleticism and length that makes him a match-up problem for defenses.
Left Tackle: Samson Okunlola, Matthew McCoy
Left Guard: Javion Cohen, Laurance Seymore
Center: Jakai Clark or Jalen Rivers
Right Guard: Anez Cooper or Francis Mauigoa
Right Tackle: Zion Nelson, Matthew McCoy

Outlook: Miami’s offensive line projects as a much bigger and powerful group in 2023 compared to 2022. UM is adding some serious talent this offseason in Alabama transfer Javion Cohen and ultra talented five-star incoming freshmen, Samson Okunlola and Francis Mauigoa. The Hurricanes also expect to return Zion Nelson after an injury plagued 2022 season along with starters like Jakai Clark, Jalen Rivers, and Anez Cooper. Expect the five best offensive linemen to play in 2023—and that means the competition for spots will be fierce.
Defensive End: Jahfari Harvey or Nyjalik Kelly
Defensive Tackle: Leonard Taylor, Thomas Gore
Defensive Tackle: Jared Harrison-Hunte or Jake Lichtenstein
Defensive End: Akheem Mesidor, Chantz Williams

Outlook: As things stand now, Miami is set to return starting defensive ends in Mesidor and Harvey. Mesidor is a high level college player while Harvey took a step forward in his production in 2022. Those two players combined for 18 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks. Kelly flashed special ability as a true freshman in 2022 and is expected to take another jump in 2023 after another year in a college level program. Kelly finished the 2022 season with four sacks. At defensive tackle, Leonard Taylor took a jump in the second half of the season and figures to be one of the more disruptive interior linemen in the ACC in 2023. The Hurricanes have also added Thomas Gore from Georgia State, who is a strong pass rusher from the inside. UM also returns veterans Jared Harrison-Hunte and Jake Lichtenstein, who each bring big frames and experience to the group. This group is solid, but it could use an infusion of stater talent and depth in spots.
Middle Linebacker: Francis Mauigoa, Corey Flagg
Weak-side Linebacker: Wesley Bissainthe, Keontra Smith

Outlook: Miami added Mauigoa as a transfer from Washington State and he projects as UM’s starting middle linebacker after generating 60 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, and one interception. UM also returns Corey Flagg, who played middle linebacker for the Hurricanes in 2022 and totaled 56 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks. At weak-side linebacker, Wesley Bissainthe projects as the starter after generating 30 tackles as a true freshman. Bissainthe started the final few games of the season for the Hurricanes and brings athleticism and physicality to the position group.
Cornerback: Davonte Brown, Damari Brown
Safety: Kamren Kinchens, Markeith Williams
Safety: James Williams, Markeith Williams
Cornerback: Daryl Porter, Malik Curtis
Nickel: Te’Cory Couch, Jaden Harris

Outlook: Miami recently added Davonte Brown, who has two years of starting experience at the college level, as a transfer from UCF. UM will also return Porter, who played 205 defensive snaps in 2022 and finished with 11 tackles and two tackles for loss. Couch returns as the nickel and he has played over 1,500 defensive snaps in his UM career. At safety, UM is in good shape with Kinchens and Williams as the projected starters, but that position group could use some depth. Five-star cornerback Cormani McClain would likely be projected in the two-depth at cornerback, but he is not signed.
Kicker: Andres Borregales
Punter: Dylan Joyce

Kick Return: Christopher Johnson, Brashard Smith
Punt Return: Xavier Restrepo, Nathaniel Joseph

Outlook: Miami’s special teams was a strength in 2022 and UM is hoping they can hit on another Australian punter in Dylan Joyce to replace Lou Hedley so that the unit is a strength once again in 2023. Borregales connected on 17-of-20 field goal attempts. In the return phase, Miami has plenty of speed and players with creativity to put in those positions.
Miami will look to aggressively address needs int the transfer portal the rest of the offseason.

We’d rank Miami’s needs in the following order:

– Outside receiver: Miami has a quarterback on the roster in Tyler Van Dyke that can make every necessary throw within an offense. His production can be special if he has a talented outside receiver (or two) to throw the ball to.

– Defensive tackle talent: You could make the argument that Miami needs to add a starter level defensive tackle that can help stop the run. You could also argue Miami would benefit form adding another depth defensive tackle that can be a part of the rotation.

– Veteran back: Sure, Miami’s backfield is talented, but a lot of it is unproven. If Miami can add a back with proven production to pair with Henry Parrish, they should do it.

– Starting caliber corner: If Miami gets a chance to add a cornerback with experience at the college level, they should do it. UM needs more competition at the cornerback spot.

– Safety depth: Miami’s depth at safety has taken a step back due to transfer portal departures. It is an area that needs to be addressed.

– Maybe a center: If a quality center enters the portal, Miami shouldn’t shy away from pursuing.

Miami is a program that always has championship aspirations. That means the starting group must feature playmaking talent and the two-deep cannot have a significant drop-off.

Sports

CLASH Endurance Miami 2023: Start time, preview and how to follow live

On Friday, some of the best middle distance athletes in the sport will head to Florida to chase those all important PTO points and a slice of the $50,000 prize purse at CLASH Endurance Miami.

The race will also contribute towards the Challenge Family World Bonus and results will count towards qualification for the Challenge Family The Championship.

Below are details on the start times of the races, information on how to watch, and a preview of the elite men and women that are looking to kick their season off in style in the Sunshine State.

We should stress though that the start lists are very much subject to change, with a number of big names – such as Vincent Luis, Joe Skipper and Jackie Hering – initially announced but now not taking part. And there looks to be bad news on the coverage front this year, with no live pictures but instead a post-race production…

Start time and how to follow
The elite race at CLASH Endurance Miami takes place on Friday March 10th, 2023.

The start times are as follows:

Elite Women – 0830 local time / 1330 UK / 1430 CET
Elite Men – 1200 local time / 1700 UK / 1800 CET
Past editions of the event have been streamed live – and for free – on the CLASH Endurance Facebook and YouTube channels.

But this week the following message was posted about current plans: “If you know CLASH Endurance, you know we’re always trying new things. There will be no live coverage, however a post-race show will be released after the event.”

So if you haven’t got it already, then adding the CLASH Endurance app to your phone / mobile device is recommended for racing splits and results. It’s pretty much identical to the layout and structure of the IRONMAN app – which given that has proven itself over many years, is a good thing.

Event history and course
In 2021 the event was held under the ‘Challenge Miami’ banner, prior the rebranding of the Challenge Family North American events to ‘CLASH’. In 2022, CLASH provided some of the most thrilling races on American soil, in both Miami and Daytona.

In Miami, the race venue is the Homestead Miami Speedway, a self-enclosed motor racing circuit event. As with the Daytona International Speedway, a very convenient lake sits nicely within the centre of the circuit, primed and ready for swimmers.

Unlike the racing at Daytona however, CLASH Miami utilises the roads within the racing oval, and so is far more technical than the pure straight-line speed efforts that are the focus there.

The event will be raced over the following distances:

Swim: 1.7km / 1.05-mile (2 laps)
Bike: 62.7km / 39-miles (17 laps of 2.2 miles + one part lap to start)
Run: 16.9km / 10.5 miles (7 laps of 1.5 miles)
Pro Women
Last year, Ashleigh Gentle dominated, with the Australian winning by almost eight minutes in a performance that really set the tone for what was in store throughout the rest of the season for the PTO World #1.

This year, however, looks set to be a much more competitive race, with the absence of the defending champion from the start list really opening up the competition to a whole host of contenders.

Last season’s runner up, Brazil’s Pamela Oliveira, is an athlete who knows what it takes to get on the podium in Miami, but will face stiff competition if she has any hopes of going one better than last season.

The 35-year-old, who won IRONMAN Brasil as well as Challenge Brazil in 2022, will rely heavily on her endurance in Miami, and will have to hope her strong swim-bike combination will be enough to keep her away from some of the lightning quick runners in the field.

Sara Perez Sala (ESP) and Haley Chura (USA) are also likely to be to the fore from the outset.

Perez Sala, who won the Challenge Championship in 2022, before also finishing second at CLASH Daytona behind Angelica Olmo, will be hoping to build an insurmountable lead over the swim and the bike this Friday, with athletes such as Chura and Sif Bendix Madsen (DEN) the likely candidates to contribute to an early break.

Sports

Bacardi Cup Invitational Regatta 2023

After a one-hour postponement ashore waiting for breeze, followed by a general recall, race 1 got under way at 1320 hrs in a light 7-9 knots southerly. The breeze increased at the first windward mark to 10 knots, before easing to remain between 7-9 knots for the rest of the 8nm race.

Impressive form from Denmark’s Jørgen Schönherr/Markus Koy, who found the formula to convert their position outside the top ten at the first mark to nail a decisive opening win.

We are feeling great”, smiled Koy. “I mean winning a race is always like, it couldn’t be better.”

“We feel confident, because we won the last two Bacardi Cup Races”, added Schönherr, in reference to winning the final race of the 2022 Bacardi Cup and today’s opening race.

Leading off the start and upwind were two big name teams in the Star, defending Bacardi Cup champions Mateusz Kusznierewicz/Bruno Prada and Austria’s Hans Spitzauer/Christian Nehammer. Between them they have more Olympic history than fits on two hands, counting thirteen appearances in total. Add to that multiple World and Continental Championships appearances and podium finishes across different classes and we have serious talent. The last time the two teams faced each other was at the 2021 Star Worlds, where it was advantage to Spitzauer/Nehammer who secured bronze, with Kusznierewicz/Prada in fifth.

Sports

McDaniel Discusses Coaching Staff Moves

Mike McDaniel explained the decision to make a change with his offensive line coach but retain special teams coordinator Danny Crossman after a tough year in the kicking game.

INDIANAPOLIS — The hiring of Vic Fangio as defensive coordinator has been the big move of the offseason so far for the Miami Dolphins, but it’s been far from the only news involving the coaching staff.

One item involved the switching of offensive line coaches (from Matt Applebaum to Butch Barry) and another involved the escision to retain Danny Crossman as special teams coordinator after a difficult 2022 season in the kicking game — with the idea element that Crossman is a coach who was retained from Brian Flores’ staff.

McDANIEL ALWAYS IN CROSSMAN’S CORNER
The decision to retain Crossman raised eyebrows in part because McDaniel made the move to replace Josh Boyer as defensive coordinator and Boyer also was a holdover from Flores’ staff.

But McDaniel said Wednesday the idea of removing Crossman never really crossed his mind.

“That just comes as a result of daily evaluations of all coaching involved in the building,” McDaniel said. “I think that the Miami Dolphins fan base, the players and Danny and myself would all agree that the desired results, we have more to achieve, but if I would have determined that that was solely his … if I thought that we couldn’t get to where we need to get to go with Danny Crossman, I would have made a move. I definitely didn’t feel that way. And that just comes as a result of daily investment into the coaching staff and what he brings to the table.”

As we have suggested before, Smith was heavily involved with coaching the offensive line last season after Applebaum was hired out of Boston College. McDaniel said that needed to change and the implication clearly was that Applebaum was ready to be a full-time NFL offensive line coach.

“Realistically, from the way the staff was orchestrated the previous year, I really needed to get more offensive coordinator work out of Frank Smith and he was devoted a little too much to the offensive line,” McDaniel said. “And I needed more selfishly to alleviate some stuff off my plate. And so that was the motivating factor to make that move was to facilitate Frank Smith being able to appropriate his time more as a coordinator and less in the offensive line room.”