What Hurricanes football and basketball are pursuing in transfer portal and names in mix

This will be a huge next few weeks for the Miami Hurricanes’ two marquee sports with regard to the transfer portal, college sports’ version of unrestricted free agency.

The Canes basketball team is looking to add at least two top talents in the portal. The football team is working to add at least a handful of players.

Where things stand with each program and a look at the transfer rules:

BASKETBALL PORTAL

▪ Where Canes stand: UM has four scholarships available; Jordan Miller has used his eligibility, and Anthony Walker, Favour Aire and Danilo Jovanovich entered the portal.

At least one spot will go to 6-9 prep center Michael Nwoku, who has signed; 247 Sports rated him the 19th-best center and 127th best player overall in the 2023 class.

At least two of the remaining three scholarships could go to transfers, and the Canes’ many appealing qualities — their proven record of success, the weather, a strong conference, a well-regarded coach, a very good returning team, the momentum of their Final Four run, a deep-pocketed NIL benefactor (John Ruiz) and smaller classroom sizes — should have the Canes in the running for many players they target.

▪ The rules: College basketball players can enter the portal between March 13 and May 11. First-time transfers are immediately eligible to play at their new school. Players transferring a second time need an NCAA waiver.

Any player who enters the portal after May 11 will need to apply for a waiver to transfer, and it’s no sure thing the NCAA would grant one.

Graduate students can transfer at any time without NCAA authorization.

▪ What Miami is seeking: Jim Larranaga told WQAM’s Joe Zagacki that the top priority is finding a power forward to replace Jordan Miller: “We’ve got to replace Jordan; he’s going to be the hardest guy to replace.”

Ideally, the Canes would find someone with the 6-6 Miller’s diverse skill set — someone who could hit threes, defend multiple positions (including taller players) at a high level and is a competent ball-hander.

The Canes also figure to add another guard, particularly if Isaiah Wong turns pro, which wouldn’t be surprising.

VCU 6-9 forward Jalen Deloach has listed UM among his top six schools, with VCU, FSU, Indiana, Penn State and San Diego State.

Deloach, who has two years of eligibility remaining, averaged 9.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.4 steals and 1.1 blocks and shot 56.2 percent from the field last season. But he hasn’t attempted a three-pointer in 65 career games. So he isn’t a stretch big.

Miami is reportedly among schools that have inquired about these players, among others: Pittsburgh 6-9 forward John Hughley IV ( 12.2 points, 6.6 rebounds in three years at Pitt, but shot only 22.2 percent on threes), St. John’s freshman 6-6 guard AJ Storr (8.8 points, shot 40.4 percent on threes last season), Temple 6-5 guard Damian Dunn (15.3 points, 34.8 on threes last season) and Vanderbilt forward Myles Stute (7.4 points, 37.9 on threes in three seasons with the Commodores).

Also, 6-9 forward Jonathan Pierre — who won a Division II championship at Nova Southeastern earlier this month — has heard from 120 Division schools (including UM), according to on3.com.

He has met with Oklahoma, Memphis and LSU and was arranging a meeting with Duke and others. He told Draft Express’ Jon Chepkevich that he wants to have a final five by early next week and then visit those schools.

Pierre averaged 14.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game and shot 40.5 percent on threes during Nova’s championship season.

FOOTBALL

▪ Where Canes stand: UM can clear out the space to add at least five transfers, potentially more.

▪ The rules: One window for college football players to enter the portal has passed. Another opens April 15 and runs through April 30; NCAA legislation last October moved up that second portal window, which previously had been May 1 to May 15.

Players can sign with new schools at any time, but they must enter the portal by April 30.

▪ What Miami is seeking: Another receiver is viewed as a must get, and the Canes also likely need to add another defensive tackle, cornerback and safety. Coach Mario Cristobal said recently that UM also would explore adding another quarterback (three are on scholarship) and running back (five are on scholarship).

Among receivers currently available, UM continues to pursue Southern Cal’s Gary Bryant Jr. (who visited UM earlier this spring), Alabama’s Tyler Harrell and Division II All-American JaQuae Jackson, who’s visiting UM this weekend.

Jackson, who played at California University in Pennsylvania, caught 77 passes for 1,178 yards and 13 touchdowns last season. He has good size at 6-3 and good speed. Pittsburgh is among other serious contenders for him, per 247 Sports.

Xavier Restrepo and Jacolby George appear in good position to get playing time this season, regardless of whether a transfer is added. Colbie Young also has been working with the first team, and coaches remain bullish on the upside of Brashard Smith, who has been working with the second team.

Freshmen Nathaniel Joseph and Robby Washington also could be factors as freshmen; Cristobal has called them the best prep slot receivers in the country last season.

A top transfer at receiver very likely would carve out a spot in UM’s top four.

A receiver transfer with a pedestrian career body of work would need to compete with Frank Ladson, Michael Redding, Isaiah Horton, Smith, Young and the two freshmen for playing time. Ladson and Redding have missed time this spring due to injuries.

As for the other positions, Markieth Williams has had a good spring, but another safety might be needed to supplement Williams, Brian Balom, Kaleb Spencer and nickel/safety Jaden Harris behind starters Kamren Kinchens and James Williams.

Another cornerback could be needed if the Canes emerge from spring believing they can upgrade over Daryl Porter Jr., Terry Roberts and their young players for the third and fourth slots behind Davonte Brown and Te’Cory Couch, who seem the front-runners to start.

And a 300-plus pound defensive tackle would be helpful to replace Darrell Jackson and supplement Leonard Taylor, Jared Harrison Hunte, Thomas Gore, Branson Deen, Jacob Lichtenstein and Ahmad Moten.

Twenty Canes players have entered the portal, with many nudged in that direction by UM. And a few more could enter before or immediately after the April 14 spring game if it becomes clear to them that they likely won’t play much if they remain at Miami.