What we’re hearing on Hurricanes’ transfer additions and who’s impressing this summer

Internal feedback we’ve heard on the Miami Hurricanes’ new veteran transfers, with camp a month away:

▪ Former Washington State linebacker Francisco Mauigoa: “He’s exceeded expectations; he’s a heck of a player,” one UM on-field staffer said. “He’s instinctive, plays fast.”

Barring something shocking, Mauigoa will start ahead of Corey Flagg Jr. at middle linebacker.

Flagg held off UCLA transfer Caleb Johnson last season, but Mauigoa is the better player; Pro Football Focus ranked him as one of the Pac-12’s best linebackers last season.

▪ Former Nebraska running back Ajay Allen, who averaged 5.8 yards on 33 carries as a freshman last season before an injury:

Nobody at UM will be surprised if freshman Mark Fletcher and Allen are UM’s top two backs or two of the top three (with Henry Parrish Jr.) this season.

“Fletcher is going to be the man [eventually],” the on-field staffer said. “But Allen is impressive. Quick, agile, a very good player.”

▪ The cornerbacks:

Former UCF corner Davonte Brown: One on-field staffer said Brown impressed during the spring and is well positioned to be one of the starters. “He has been very solid; he’s a press man cover guy.”

Former Oklahoma cornerback Jaden Davis: One on-field staffer made Davis a slight front-runner for the other starting boundary job but said the competition will be intense. “Jaden is quick, extremely competitive, has good length.”

Former College of San Mateo (California) junior college cornerback Demetrius Freeney, the most recent corner addition: “Really fast, athletic, bright kid,” one of the on-field officials said. “There’s more risk with JC guys, but we liked the package. And he’s got three years left.”

Former Vanderbilt cornerback Ja’Dius Richard: The thinking with this addition is he can provide depth on the boundary and behind Te’Cory Couch at STAR, with the ability to compete to start on the boundary.

“Good size [6-2] and length and you’re going to have him a while,” the staffer said. Richard has three years of eligibility remaining.

▪ The receivers:

Tyler Harrell: The former Alabama and Louisville receiver has been clocked at 4.24 in the 40, and one of the UM staffers said he has a good chance to emerge as a starter, provided he plays well in camp. “He has speed that we didn’t have — electrifying speed,” the staffer said.

Reedley California Junior College wide receiver Shemar Kirk, who had 76 receptions for 1,446 yards and 15 touchdowns in two years in junior college: What appealed to UM was the “run after catch ability.” One staffer said he’s plenty good enough to be in the rotation, possibly start.

My sense is that Harrell has a better chance to play a lot early, but Kirk certainly could crack the rotation.

▪ Defensive tackles:

Former Purdue player Branson Deen, who was at UM for spring practice: We were told he’s the front-runner to start alongside Leonard Taylor, but will need to beat out Jared Harrison-Hunte, Jacob Lichtenstein and others. “Tough and can stop the run,” was the feedback.

Former Georgia State player Thomas Gore is considered a “depth” player after a nondescript spring. He’s not a behemoth at 285, so he “has got to win with quickness.”

Anthony Campbell, a backup at Louisiana Monroe, was added after spring ball and is considered a depth player for now. But one UM staffer said the Canes see upside as a “developmental guy” because he’s “long and tall” and can play end, too.

▪ Linebacker K.J. Cloyd, who had 40 tackles in 28 games at Louisville, mostly as a backup:

The thinking here was that UM believed it needed veteran depth to protect itself if there are injuries at a position where Miami isn’t deep. “He gives us more bodies; he’s fast and has only a year left.”

▪ Offensive line:

Former Alabama player Javion Cohen will almost assuredly start at left guard. One of the staffers called him a “top of the line talent, and absolute stud.”

Former UCF center Matt Lee is “everything you want in a player. Tough, hard to move, a leader on and off the field.”

▪ Former Oregon tight end Cam McCormick impressed UM people with his blocking this spring. The expectation is that he will get significant playing time behind Elijah Arroyo, with Jaleel Skinner also very much in the mix.

THIS AND THAT

▪ A few other things we’ve heard from the offseason program:

Backup quarterback Jacurri Brown has improved with his deep throws…

UM isn’t certain when Zion Nelson will be 100 percent after playing only 61 snaps last season due to knee issues. But UM remains hopeful he will help this season. Jalen Rivers is expected to remain at left tackle until Nelson is healthy….

Running back Fletcher, a post spring-ball enrollee, has stood out in these offseason workouts…

UM people won’t be surprised if Reuben Bain makes an immediate impact. The Canes consider him more of a defensive end than a tackle, but he could move inside at times if needed…

Among the four freshman linebackers, Marcellius Pulliam has stood out, one staffer said.

▪ Good to see Tyler Van Dyke recently participate in the Peyton Manning Passing Academy, which extends invitations to the top college quarterbacks.

▪ The Indiana Pacers decided to sign second-round pick Isaiah Wong to a two-way contract (limiting him to 50 games) instead of a standard deal.

Indiana is deep at shooting guard with fellow Cane Bruce Brown (signed away from Denver with a two-year, $45 million deal), second-year standout Bennedict Mathurin and Andrew Nembhard.

Wong could be converted to a standard contract at any time.

Meanwhile, Jordan Miller — also a second-round in last month’s draft — makes his Clippers summer league debut on Saturday.