Halfway through spring, Miami’s Cristobal flies ‘through depth chart’ to assess play

Miami Hurricanes football coach Mario Cristobal addressed the media Tuesday for the first time since the Canes’ first scrimmage of the spring last Saturday.

Cristobal was asked to elaborate on the players who stood out in the scrimmage, one of three NCAA-allotted scrimmages during the spring.

The coach did that and more, reeling off 21 Hurricanes who either did well in the scrimmage or did well Tuesday or even had “flashed” and needed consistency. He light-heartedly said afterward that he ‘just kind of went through the depth chart.’

After he spoke at length about the improved offensive line [more about that later], here’s exactly what he said:

“I tell you what stood out today was [linebacker] Kiko [Francisco] Mauigoa’s interception to finish off. That was really impressive. [Running back] Henry Parrish really stands out right now. He does. [Receiver] Colbie Young has been having a great camp, [receiver] Xavier Restrepo continues to go. The development of [receivers] Brashard Smith and Jacolby George really stand out. The play of gosh, both [receivers] Robby [Washington] and Ray Ray [Nathaniel Joseph] really stand out as well.

“The young tight ends, man, they are, whoa, they’re good football players. The physicality of Cam [McCormick]. On the defensive side the continued development of [defensive end] Nyjalik Kelly — big play today in two-minute as well batting down the ball. Rueben Bain really, really standing out.

“Great to see [defensive lineman Akheem] Mesidor out there today. [Defensive tackle] Ahmad Moten had been moving up — he got nicked up today; Nothing serious, he’s good to go. But there is some development there, some flashes. We got to push him, and I’m going to grind him really, really hard, because he needs that.

“Guys like [linebackers] K4 [Keontra Smith], Wesley [Bissainthe], Corey Flagg. and Bobby Washington really stand out. [Washington is] just a really big-sized speed guy that will strike you. He can go now.

“[Safety] Markeith Williams has flashed. We’ve got to get more consistent with him and [cornerback] Chris Graves to give us good play.

“[Cornerback] Daryl Porter really stands out. The guy is playing at a high level.

“[Cornerback] Davonte Brown is another guy, you know.

“I just kind of went through the depth chart.”

▪ When asked Tuesday who impressed him defensively among the newcomers, quarterback Tyler Van Dyke also raved about linebacker Mauigoa, the Washington State University transfer.

“He’s very impressive to me,’’ Van Dyke said. “He’s all over the field. He picked me today, which is good — not good for me, but good to see that for them. It was just a good play in general for him. He’s all over the field, so I think he’s one that has stood out to me.”