A look at where Hurricanes roster stands by position: needs, additions, potential losses

The Miami Hurricanes turned over about a third of their roster last offseason, factoring in transfer additions, jettisoned players and UM’s best recruiting class in years.

That type of turnover is again expected this offseason, with change expected at every position and at least 35 players likely to be added through recruiting and the transfer portal.

Quarterback, safety, cornerback, the offensive line and defensive tackle should see lots of Canes activity in the transfer portal.

And UM has 26 players committed in a recruiting class ranked 14th nationally by On3.com and 11th by 247 Sports.

Where things stand now that Miami’s regular season is complete:

Quarterback

The Canes are expected to target top quarterbacks that become available in the portal.

Meanwhile, there remains uncertainty around Tyler Van Dyke and Jacurri Brown (who was not made available to reporters this season but was apparently fine with redshirting).

According to an associate of Van Dyke, the expectation before the last two games was that he would enter the transfer portal. That still might be the case.

[Monday night update: Van Dyke is entering the transfer portal, according to a source. He does not intend to return to Miami barring something totally unexpected.]

One thing is clear: UM cannot go into next season with Emory Williams the unquestioned starter.

The Canes reportedly will pursue Mississippi State quarterback Will Rogers, who is entering the portal.

He had 12 touchdown passes and four interceptions in eight games this season, missing several games with injuries and not playing as effectively in a new scheme. The Southeastern Conference’s career leader in completions, Rogers has 94 TDs and 28 INTs in his four-year career there. He threw 36 and 35 touchdowns in 2021 and 2022 while playing in an Air Raid style offense.

Kansas State’s Will Howard also is a name worth monitoring; he entered the portal as a grad transfer on Monday after throwing 24 touchdowns and 10 interceptions this season while completing 61.3 percent of his passes.

Tulane junior quarterback Michael Pratt, who had been linked to UM in social media speculation, has accepted an invitation to the Senior Bowl, according to the Mobile, Alabama-based college All-Star game. Only players who have declared for the NFL Draft can play in the game.

UM has one nonbinding commitment from a 2024 quarterback — Judd Anderson, a Georgia-based three star pro style quarterback whose other offers include Mississippi.

Running back

Mark Fletcher Jr. likely will be the lead back, and speedy but sparingly-used freshman Chris Johnson and Tre’Vonte Citizen (who missed two years after a major knee injury) will compete, presuming Citizen returns.

So will Alabama-based Kevin Riley, 247 Sports’ No. 5 running back in the 2024 class and a UM nonbinding commitment.

Three-star Hollywood South Broward High’s Chris Wheatley-Humphrey also is committed to UM; he can play in the defensive backfield, too.

The question is whether all three veterans — Henry Parrish Jr., Don Chaney Jr. and Ajay Allen — return to compete for carries. Parrish and Allen already have transferred once. Parrish has one year of eligibility left; Allen and Chaney have multiple years.

If all return, that’s eight running backs on scholarship — more than UM likely can afford at that position due to scholarship allocation limits. [Monday night update: Chaney has entered the transfer portal, per 247 Sports.]

Wide receiver

All the key receivers on scholarship are eligible to return, so UM conceivably could come back with the same top five: Xavier Restrepo, Jacolby George, Colbie Young, Brashard Smith and Isaiah Horton. But that’s unlikely.

Restrepo reportedly could accompany his close friend Van Dyke to a new school. Smith could move on after receiving only 32 offensive touches in 12 games and four offensive snaps against Boston College.

And a top receiver could be targeted in the portal.

Freshmen Ray Ray Joseph (in particular) and Robby Washington should push for time, and so might three very good players in UM’s 2024 recruiting class: Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna four-star prospect Josisa Trader, Georgia-based four-star receiver Ny Carr and Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas four-star prospect Chance Robinson.

Four seldom-used receivers could move on: Tyler Harrell (four receptions for 45 yards), Frank Ladson, Michael Redding III and possibly Shemar Kirk, a transfer pickup who didn’t sniff the field.

Tight end

Elijah Arroyo, finally healthy after essentially a lost season, and Riley Williams will be Nos. 1-2 next season, barring something unforeseen. Williams showed promise but struggled at times in the second half of the season.

Four-star Las Vegas-based Elija Lofton, a 2024 UM commitment, could compete for the No. 3 job, with Jackson Carver and perhaps others.

Nobody will be surprised if former four-star recruit Jaleel Skinner opts to leave; UM coach Mario Cristobal said last week that his approach to the game must be “more diligent,” while also praising Skinner.

Oregon transfer Cam McCormick has received NCAA approval for a ninth year but hasn’t said if he will return.

The Canes likely will seek a portal addition if Skinner and/or McCormick leave.

Offensive line

Left guard Javion Cohen is turning pro. Center Matt Lee — a top-four NFL center prospect according to ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. — hasn’t said if he’s turning pro, and there’s a possibility he could return.

Redshirt sophomore Jalen Rivers is draft eligible but is expected back. But if he’s back at left tackle, that likely would mean no 2024 starting job for five-star freshman Samson Okunola.

Tackle Matthew McCoy, whom UM coaches really like, could succeed Cohen at left guard; McCoy has played some at guard. A veteran guard transfer also could be added to replace Cohen or compete with McCoy there.

Anez Cooper is a fixture now at right guard. Tommy Kinsler is a well-regarded internal guard option.

UM has commitments from several three-star 2024 linemen: Kavion Broussard, Juan Minaya, junior college player Markel Bell, Nino Francavilla and Deryc Plazz.

Former starting left tackle Zion Nelson has eligibility remaining, but UM must decide if it wants to keep him around.

Defensive line

The front seven appears in pretty good shape for next season, though defensive tackle help will be needed if sophomore Leonard Taylor III turns pro.

Akheem Mesidor (a junior), Nyjalik Kelly (a sophomore), freshman phenom Rueben Bain, freshman Jayden Wayne, redshirt freshman Cyrus Moss and highly regarded freshman Collins Acheampong should be back at defensive end/edge spots. That’s perhaps the greatest strength of UM’s projected 2024 roster.

Jahfari Harvey, who had 10 sacks and 21.5 tackles for loss in four seasons (plus one game) for UM, is entering the transfer portal, according to a source.

Defensive end Chantz Williams likely will move on.

UM has commitments from four-star edge players Marquise Lightfoot (Chicago-based), Elias Rudolph (Cincinnati-based) and Booker Pickett (Tampa-based). UM defensive line coach Jason Taylor remains a key asset in recruiting.

At tackle, Branson Deen’s eligibility is expiring. Juniors Jared Harrison-Hunte and Thomas Gore, freshman Joshua Horton, transfer pickup Anthony Campbell (who redshirted this season) and redshirt freshman Ahmad Moten should be back.

There’s no decision yet from Taylor on whether he’s turning pro, according to a source. If Taylor goes to the NFL, at least two skilled veteran tackles will be needed in the portal.

If Taylor returns, at least one new veteran will be needed amid multiple reports that Alabama transfer Jamil Burroughs likely will leave UM before even playing a down.

Per Canesport, UM is pursuing Pennsylvania transfer tackle Joey Slackman, who had four sacks and 22 tackles in the Ivy League this year.

UM so far has struck out on adding any of the elite tackles in the 2024 class. At least UM has one strong tackle prospect in four-star Blountstown, Florida-based Artavius Jones, who flirted with FSU but seems strongly committed to Miami. Three-star Miami Columbus prospect Daylen Russell can play end or tackle.

Linebacker

Most of the key linebackers have eligibility remaining and should be back — Francisco Mauigoa (a terrific portal addition who has 7.5 sacks, an interception and two forced fumbles), Wesley Bissainthe, K.J. Cloyd and a handful of young players (Bobby Washington, Raul Aguirre, Malik Bryant, Marcellius Pulliam), among others.

Veteran Corey Flagg Jr. has eligibility remaining but was introduced with the seniors at the last home game and likely will depart. [Monday night update: Flagg said he has entered the transfer portal.]

Senior Keontra Smith will move on.

Miami Central’s three-star Vincent Shavers headlines the group of 2024 (non-edge player) linebacker commitments.

SAFETY

This becomes a top priority if Kamren Kinchens (Kiper’s top-rated safety) or James Williams turns pro.

Williams isn’t considered an elite safety prospect; defensive coordinator Lance Guidry said he will be a linebacker at the next level.

Markeith Williams, Jaden Harris, Kaleb Spencer and Brian Balom are behind Kinchens and Williams on the depth chart, and four-star Class of 2024 Chaminade-Madonna safety Zaquan Patterson could push for immediate playing time.

Two three-star 2024 safeties are committed: Louisiana-based Dylan Day and Toronto-based Isaiah Thomas.

This is the biggest priority on defense if Kinchens and/or Williams leave.

CORNERBACK

UM loses senior cornerbacks Te’Cory Couch and Jaden Davis.

But Daryl Porter Jr. (UM’s top cornerback this season before a November injury) and former UCF starter Davonte Brown have eligibility remaining. And freshman Damari Brown and sophomore Jadais Richard took on expanded roles late in the season.

Two three-star 2024 cornerbacks from St. Thomas Aquinas are committed: Ryan Mack and Romanas Frederique. Freshman Robert Stafford and junior college transfer Demetrius Freeney also are due to return; Freeney played late in the Boston College game.

The Canes will need to find at least one veteran cornerback in the portal either for depth, or to challenge Porter, the Brown brothers and Richard for a top-three rotation spot.