Boy ain't want to compete I guess
Wasting no time with the drama
Thanks loc, trying to tap back into what made me the #goat
He's pretty athletically comparable in terms of speed and acceleration but obviously change of direction and catching is what he lacks
From the Ashes.
From the Ashes.
He's pretty athletically comparable in terms of speed and acceleration but obviously change of direction and catching is what he lacks
From the Ashes.
Where the Miami Hurricanes' key position battles stand after spring
Sam Bitonio, CBS College Football Writer • 4 min read
For the University of Miami football team, the second half of the 2031 offseason is underway. The transfer portal window is closed, spring practices have come and gone and, within the next month, summer-enrolling freshmen and transfers will arrive on campus and join their teammates in offseason workouts.
It's a pivotal offseason for the Hurricanes, who are aiming to avenge an early exit out of the College Football Playoffs and return back into the mix of things after winning consecutive national championships the two years prior. That's especially true on offense, where Miami will have a new leading passer, rusher and receiver after having one of the nation's top offenses for the past three seasons, all with a new offensive coordinator.
So who can step up for the Hurricanes this fall, and who is winning some of those key position battles after spring practice and the transfer portal window? We break that down and more in our post-spring recap of key positional battles which factors in both our assessment and what we believe the coaching staff's assessment and outlook is.
Let's dive in.
Quarterback
Starter: Terrance Harris (redshirt freshman)
Backups: Tyler Boozer (redshirt sophomore) OR Alec Baer (true freshman)
Status: All but declared
With Jeff Beavers' transfer to nearby Florida Atlantic and reports that Beavers left because he felt that Miami was close to naming Terrance Harris the starter, this positional battle is all but settled as the remaining participants in Tyler Boozer, Alec Baer and Rico Baskerville did not get many first team snaps throughout the spring.
The Hurricanes are prepared to go all in on Harris, who came in as one of their most highly touted quarterback signings since Keke Hagg and probably had more hype than Hagg coming out of high school. Hagg had bounced around high schools and was from the Clearwater/Tampa area while Harris is a local kid, leading powerhouse Miami Central to three consecutive state championship appearances, winning two of them.
I'd expect Harris to be formally named the starter at some point in fall camp but for all intents and purposes, he's already QB1.
Offensive tackle
Starters: LT Alex Kenyon (redshirt senior) and RT Enrique Sendejo (redshirt senior)
Backups: LT Max Massey (redshirt junior) and OT Tyler Griffen (redshirt junior)
Status: Pulling away
Max Massey had a really tough spring game, the type that's hard to overlook if you're a fan and perhaps even as a coach, despite his progress throughout the spring. It was always going to be a tough battle to upend two redshirt seniors in Alex Kenyon and Enrique Sendejo that have waited their turns and are finally up to start.
With Tobias Salaam moving inside after starting at right tackle last season, the door was cracked open for Tyler Griffen to be a day one starter after transferring from East Carolina but he also had some tough outings in the spring, particularly against bigger and more explosive pass rushers. It was going to be a tough transition from Griffen to go from not only G6 to P4 but specifically the SEC so taking a developmental year might be in store for him especially after Enrique Sendejo was pretty solid in the spring.
X receiver
Starter: Marcus Cavazos (redshirt freshman)
Backup: Ezekiel Hooey (true freshman)
Status: Highly contested
On the front end, I'll add that five-star Ezekiel Hooey will likely play a lot of snaps regardless of where he ends up on the first official depth chart but it cannot be ignored just how well redshirt freshman Marcus Cavazos played this spring, punctuated with a really strong spring game where he continues to show that he might be the better complete receiver of the two at this point in their development.
Where Cavazos really differs from Hooey is his ability to make contested catches, an element of his game that is highlighted the more live hitting that the Hurricanes will do which is why I predict that as fall camp gets underway, Cavazos' physicality will continue to stand out. Another overlooked aspect is that Miami projects to be a run-first offense with a first-year starting quarterback and as a blocker, Hooey has a long way to go which could give another edge to Cavazos.
Defensive end
Starters: Mike Obi (junior) and Alex York (sophomore)
Backups: Robert Coutu (junior), Eric Charles (redshirt freshman), Jamie Stumph (freshman) and Danny Bettis (sophomore)
Status: Week-to-week
The Hurricanes have six guys in the mix between their biggest defensive ends in Robert Coutu and Mike Obi, both over 260 pound and then some smaller, twitchier guys in Eric Charles, Alex York and Danny Bettis and then the true freshman in Jamie Stumph, whose a bit of a tweener.
Obi and York are the two converted outside linebackers from last year's base 3-4 defense and they had really strong spring games where their potential deficiencies in setting the edge as a downed linemen wasn't exposed. Coutu, on the other hand, continued to show flashes and did his best work against the run but failed to generate a bunch of pressure as a pass rusher.
Bettis will likely be a situational guy at best due to his lack of stoutness against the run but as a group, this will likely be a game-to-game, week-to-week situation depending on the matchup and the type of offense that the Hurricanes are facing.
MIKE linebacker
Starter: David Vallos (redshirt senior)
Backup: Glenn Kohler (redshirt sophomore)
Status: In the mix
Another positional change due to the change in the scheme is David Vallos, who never really found a home in Skylor Magee's 3-4 defense making the transition from stand-up outside linebacker to the MIKE next to presumed starter Edward Verrier, one of the few returning players on defense.
Glenn Kohler is the one that started next to Verrier in the spring game and Vallos was part of the "second unit" during the spring showcase and had a very good game, showcasing his ability to be used as a runner and wasn't a complete liability in coverage, which is where Kohler should have the edge. Instead, it was Koehler that was picked on at times, particularly across the middle where he was a step too slow.
Vallos is the more experienced player so finding more success in the spring game isn't that much of a surprise but if Kohler can come back better for it and have a strong fall camp, it could be a battle that bleeds into the final week of camp.
Safety
Starter: Vai Ball (redshirt junior)
Backups: Max Hakim (redshirt senior), C.J. Phipps (redshirt freshman), Rico Kush (freshman)
Status: Mildly contested
Another positional battle that was cleared up by transfers as Carl Godwin entered the transfer portal, leaving Vai Ball and Max Hakim as the only players on the roster, outside of the other starter at safety in Bobby Haslam, that have playing experience at the position.
Rico Kush had a strong spring but then struggled in the spring game. C.J. Phipps is a versatile piece that likely will play a lot, just not necessarily at safety as he can and has been used at nickel as well. Hakim also remains in the mix as he's probably the best tackler of the group.
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Captain Canada
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From the Ashes.
Going to be a team with a lot of shifting parts it seems like. Really seems like you have your work cut out for you this season
From the Ashes.
Thorpe winner Bobby Haslam is the latest Miami Hurricane to wear the No. 1 jersey
Michelle Tejada -- miamihurricanes.com
While prepping for the Miami Hurricanes last year, then Vanderbilt offensive coordinator Tim Beck would remind Commodores quarterback Joshua Rourke to 'find number six', Miami safety Bobby Haslam, before every play. Haslam finished the game with twelve tackles and two tackles for loss en route to winning the Thorpe Award in his first year as a starter. When Beck was hired by the Hurricanes to be their next offensive coordinator, he would remind his young quarterbacks throughout spring practices of the same thing.
"You need to know where he is at all times," Beck says of Haslam, "If you don't, he'll remind you."
They'll have to find No. 1 now as the Georgia native was award with the No. 1 jersey on the first day of the Hurricanes' fall camp as they get ready for the 2031 season, cementing Haslam as Miami's undisputed leader of the defense, an honor head coach Mario Cristobal said Haslam earned with his play last year. Haslam splashed onto the scene last year with a pick-six in the 41-19 win over Texas, the first of many standout plays that sometimes went under the radar.
"He's exactly who you want back there patrolling your defense," Cristobal spoke to the media after Miami's first practice of the fall camp where Haslam was presented with the No. 1 jersey, "He's physical, he's going to get in your face, make the tackle, get up and do it again. All steak no sizzle with that guy."
A former five-star corner, Haslam first exhibited his selflessness and team spirit before a single snap when he made the move to safety as a true freshman to provide depth at a position that needed it. Haslam primarily played on special teams that year, recording eight tackles before breaking through as a starter following a strong spring campaign. In his first year as a starter, he finished with 95 tackles, seven tackles for loss, two sacks, an interception and five pass breakups, showcasing his versatility as a defensive back and his physicality despite being a former cornerback.
"I take pride in setting the tone," Haslam says of his run support, "You come down hill, lay a clean, strong tackle, it sets the tone for the game and the rest of the defense. It elevates everyone's play and that's what I'm looking to accomplish."
Cristobal did confirm that at this moment, an offensive player has not been given the No. 1 jersey.
Last edited by Soapy on 06 May 2025, 06:55, edited 1 time in total.
From the Ashes.
yessir, that's where the fun liesCaptain Canada wrote: ↑05 May 2025, 22:32Going to be a team with a lot of shifting parts it seems like. Really seems like you have your work cut out for you this season
From the Ashes.
Miami Football: 2031 Hurricanes Season Preview and Prediction
Athlon Sports Staff Writer • 8 min read
Head coach: Mario Cristobal (10th at Miami)
Offensive Coordinator: Tim Beck (1st season)
Defensive Coordinator: Brandon Harris (1st season)
2030 record: 12-2 (SEC Champions, CFP Quarterfinalist)
2031 recruiting rank (247 Sports): No. 3 nationally, No. 2 SEC
Preseason All-American: G Tobias Salaam, S Bobby Haslam
Preseason All-SEC: G Tobias Salaam, S Bobby Haslam, HB Kaseem Dalton, C John Armah
The Hurricanes' first season in the SEC went almost as well as it could be expected with the Hurricanes surviving a gauntlet of a schedule with wins over Auburn, Alabama, Florida, Florida State and even an out-of-conference battle with top-ranked Notre Dame but it was a sleepy afternoon in College Station that handed Miami its first loss in 42 games.
Miami would bounce back, winning the SEC Championship with a win over Georgia but in the CFP Quarterfinals, a rematch against Alabama would end Miami's championship reign as they were unable to make history by becoming the first team in modern college football to three-peat.
Mario Cristobal and the Hurricanes enter yet another season among the shortlist of teams capable of a deep playoff run.
Previewing Miami's Offense for 2031
The Hurricanes have a new offensive coordinator and need to replace their leading passer, rusher, top four receivers and two starters along the offensive line. Their most tenured quarterback, who had the best showing in the spring game, entered the transfer portal.
While devoid of experience, the Hurricanes are not short on talent. Presumed starting quarterback Terrance Harris was a five-star quarterback and Miami's top three running backs -- redshirt junior Kaseem Dalton and sophomores Broderick Booker and Sammy Ramey -- were all five-star prospects coming out of high school. The Hurricanes landed one of the transfer portal's top receivers in Florida's Brian Trapasso and have a former five-star in Tyler Rattay who returned for his senior season after not playing much at Miami and briefly testing the transfer portal while true freshman Ezekiel Hooey was one of the top prospects in last year's recruiting cycle.
Previewing Miami's Defense for 2031
Similar to the offense, it's a whole new deal for the defense with a first-year defensive coordinator in former Hurricanes defensive back Brandon Harris. Harris returns only one starter in the secondary in Bobby Haslam, who might be one of the best in the nation.
Harris and the Hurricanes do have a loaded front six however with Edward Verrier, the standout linebacker from last season that finished second on the team last year with 107 tackles along with 20 tackles for loss, six sacks and two interceptions as a true freshman. The defensive line is loaded with talent, particularly on the interior in JaMichael Sloman, Javonte Dye, Karl Tuten and Rashad Garnes who were all key contributors in last year's squad.
The big questions are at corner where the Hurricanes have a second-year player in Siaki Tu'ikolovatu who was a five-star prospect and Tulsa transfer Stephon Bynum, making the transition from safety to corner as a redshirt junior. Outside of that it's Tremaine Thompson, a redshirt freshman, and a bunch of true freshman that will be going through baptism by fire with a tough SEC schedule ahead.
Schedule (2030 record)
vs. #13 Syracuse (10-3, 5-3 ACC) Bank of America Stadium
at Kentucky (5-7, 3-7 SEC)
vs. #1 Notre Dame (13-3, 2-0 Big Ten)
OPEN
vs. Arkansas (4-8, 3-7 SEC)
vs. Florida (4-8, 3-7 SEC)
vs. #2 Alabama (14-2, 8-2 SEC)
at Auburn (3-9, 1-9 SEC)
at Florida State (7-6, 6-4 SEC)
OPEN
vs. Texas A&M (5-7, 4-6 SEC)
at #20 Clemson (8-5, 6-4 SEC)
at Vanderbilt (3-9, 2-8 SEC)
at Texas (8-5, 6-4 SEC)
Miami opens the season in a tough but certainly winnable game that they will be favorites in against former ACC foe in Syracuse at a neutral site to help settle in their first-time starters. They then get a mild road game in Lexington before opening the season for real against preseason top-ranked Notre Dame but they do get to play the Irish at home this year and then get the benefit of a bye afterwards.
The Hurricanes also get the benefit of playing Florida and Alabama at home before playing Auburn and Florida State on the road with the Seminoles having a quiet bounce back year last year, finishing with a winning record in the SEC. The Hurricanes then get the chance to avenge the Texas A&M loss at home this year before ending the year with three straight road games, including trips to Clemson and Texas.
Projected SEC Standing: 2nd
Projected Final Ranking: 3rd
You can pencil in the Hurricanes into the playoffs by now, having made it each of the last six seasons. While the names on the schedule standout, the Hurricanes don't play a preseason ranked opponent on the road until the final three weeks of the season, giving the Hurricanes the chance to collect some pelts at home and boost their resume, likely clinching a spot in the SEC Championship Game in the process. It's a tough but manageable schedule for a very talented team, despite the inexperience.
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Captain Canada
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From the Ashes.
I can see this team being a two-loss team maximum. Hopefully guys play above what we expect of them.
From the Ashes.
10-2
From the Ashes.
Kentucky upset incoming
From the Ashes.
Converted offensive lineman Baraka Tejada steals the show in Hurricanes' first scrimmage
Carlos Navarro -- The Athletic Staff Writer
Miami Hurricanes redshirt junior tight end Baraka Tejada just kept running and running, waiting for someone to eventually catch him but they never did. The former offensive lineman's "fifty-something yard" touchdown was the highlight of the Hurricanes' first scrimmage of fall camp, with the team's social media page posting a clip of the touchdown.
"[Tejada] stole the whole show,” Hurricanes coach Mario Cristobal said in an in-house interview following the closed scrimmage at the Greentree Practice Fields, “He does a lot for us in the run game and he's been a great addition to the tight end room in that manner but to see him rip off a fifty-something yard touchdown where he's not even touched, it really sparked something in the rest of the guys because they all love that kid."
Tejada made the transition from offensive tackle to tight end in the spring and is down to 283 pounds, according to Cristobal. He projects to be an important situational player for the Hurricanes, specifically as a run blocker but Tejada's athletic upside will force opposing defensive coordinators to respect him as a receiving threat as well, which surely played a part in why the Hurricanes who are otherwise pretty secretive about their closed practices, decided to release the clip.
Some other tidbits from Miami's first ten fall practices and the scrimmage:
Terrance Harris continues to improve with added reps
The Hurricanes haven't officially named a starting quarterback but with Jeff Beavers now at Florida Atlantic, all reports point to Harris taking most, if not all, of the first team reps. While competition does bring out the best in people at times, for Harris, the added reps have been invaluable in his development.
He's taken big steps forward since the spring and throughout the summer workouts, getting on the same page with his receivers and just overall is more decisive is what someone who has been at all ten practices told me. It's important to remember that Harris is a redshirt freshman who hasn't really played in a competitive college football game yet, coming in during blowouts last year and was QB3 for much of last year, primarily practicing with the redshirts and walk-ons.
Now that Harris is starting to log those snaps and hours behind a first team offensive line with a starting level receivers (ish, more on that latter) against a starting caliber defense similar to the ones that he'll see in the SEC, the version of Harris that fans see in the opener against Syracuse should be vastly different than the one from the spring game.
Hurricanes' secondary isn't a complete wash
The Tejada long touchdown might have some Miami fans concerned about a young and unproven secondary but it's been a pretty competitive battle throughout the fall camp with the defense winning a lot of those days, according to Cristobal.
“Throughout the course of camp, the defense created a lot of negative plays for the offense, really pressured the quarterback, did a good job stuffing out our receivers and tight ends in coverage,” Cristobal said.
Cristobal highlighted redshirt juniors Stephon Bynum and Vai Ball as standouts from the week with Ball having an interception in the scrimmage as well while Bynum has probably been Miami's best cover corner, making a smooth transition from safety. The Hurricanes know what they have in their other safety, Bobby Haslam, so if Ball can lock up that safety spot and Tremaine Thompson can be serviceable as the other outside corner with Siaki Tu'ikolovatu in the slot, the Hurricanes should have an at least competitive secondary that won't be completely exposed in SEC play like many were concerned.
The offensive line has a lot of work to do
Cristobal did not mince words when addressing the offensive line, highlighting as an area that the team needs to improve on.
"We have a really good defensive line, one of the best in the country I believe but as a unit, the offensive line has to play better," Cristobal added, "I do believe we have the right guys in that room to right the ship but it's about the details and cleaning up our technique and focusing on the smaller things, not picking up dumb penalties."
Cristobal, whose background is in offensive line coach, might be intentionally critical of the offensive line in order to raise their level of play but it is a valid concern after last year's unit also struggled with penalties. Reports around camp have been that the left side of the offensive line, which features one of the two returning starters in Tobias Salaam at left guard, is pretty solidified but that on the right side, particularly right tackle, the team continues to rotate between Enrique Sendejo and transfer portal addition Tyler Griffen.
"[Sendejo] had a really tough time in the scrimmage," one source that was present for the scrimmage told The Athletic.
Don't expect too much fireworks from this offense
Part of the reason that the Tejada long touchdown got such a big reaction was not just because he is a former offensive lineman but because the offense in general, even when they've been successful, hasn't had a ton of explosive plays.
Harris doesn't push the ball down the field and it's not entirely on him as none of the receivers, including Florida transfer Brian Trapasso, have struggled at times to create separation down the field. Miami's offense has primarily been a quick passing game with the occasional deep shot that often falls incomplete.
In the running game, the Hurricanes have prioritized bigger running backs in Kaseem Dalton (235 pounds) and Broderick Booker (228) and don't have an explosive, one-cut-and-go runner like they had in Aidan Teague last year that could go off for an eighty yard touchdown. Sammy Ramey is the closest to that but he doesn't have Teague's top end speed and is more of a slithery, shifty running back that can scamper out for fifteen yards, not ninety.