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.