Newest Miami Hurricanes savor media day. ‘This can be the class to change everything’

The promise of the newest generation of Miami Hurricanes quickly became clear Monday in Coral Gables at their introduction to life in the University of Miami limelight.

‘We gonna bring the swag back,’’ said receiver Robby Washington, 19, out of Miami Palmetto High. “Just how like the 2001 Hurricanes were. We’re bringing it back.’’

Monday was Hurricanes media day at the U, where the youngest Gen Z Canes from a large true-freshman class were introduced. Sitting with teammates at tables in the indoor practice facility, these Canes seemed anxious to prove they belong on the field after a 5-7 season that was followed by Miami’s best recruiting class — theirs — in more than a decade.

Tuesday morning, those same youngsters will take Greentree Field for the opening of fall camp, exactly one month before the 2023 season begins at home against Miami of Ohio.

Washington, whose much larger twin brother Bobby is a UM freshman linebacker, conceded he might be a tad nervous. “I’ll have butterflies,’’ he said, “but once I strap it up and step on the field for the first play, they’ll all go away.’’

Mark Fletcher, the 6-1, 226-pound former four-star prospect from Plantation American Heritage, was rated by 247Sports as the nation’s seventh-best 2023 incoming running back. He ran for 4,124 yards on 7.7 yards per carry and 114.6 yards per game his past three years of high school, winning a Class 5A championship in 2019 and again leading American Heritage to the Class 2M title game in December.

Fletcher, who arrived in Coral Gables on May 21, said he’s willing to do anything in “any way, shape or form” to help the program.

“Just contribute,’’ Fletcher said. “Special teams, as a running back... or running down making tackles, blocking, anything I can do. I expect to be a great runner, and when I get my opportunity, just shine.”

Any nerves? Fletcher was asked.

“I think I already had my butterflies,’’ he said. “Now I’m just ready to play football. Even hearing it from the older players every day, saying, ‘This can be the class to change everything.’ We have a pretty good thing going for ourselves as far as changing the culture. We’re bringing in that good energy.”

Francis Mauigoa

Even the freshmen who have already had plenty of national publicity, such as 6-6, 343-pound former five-star offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa, are trying to temper the nerves. Mauigoa could get his first start at right tackle in his first college game, a rarity among lineman.

“People always think I’ve handled this fully,’’ Mauigoa said, “but I’m still trying to get used to the competition. It’s a different level than high school. People have high expectations of me, even my teammates, because I’m running with the ones. So, having those types of expectations kind of bring voices to my head. I’m trying to keep those voices under control and be able to do what I do.’’

Added Mauigoa: “The thing I like about this class is everybody is looking forward to working with the veterans. Everyone is looking forward to being better and hoping to start. Everyone doesn’t want to just lay around and be a part of the team. They want to be a part of why Miami is back.’’

Those veterans of which Mauigoa speaks, including fourth-year fellow linemen Jonathan Denis and projected starting left guard Javion Cohen — a national standout transfer out of Alabama — were extremely impressed with their young teammates.

“Me and JD were just talking about this not too long ago that, ‘Wow, we’ve never seen a freshman group as good as this one,’ Cohen said. “They’re very professional about their work — Francis Mauigoa, [offensive tackle] Samson Okunlola, [receiver] Nathaniel “Ray Ray” [Joseph], Mark Fletcher, [running back] Chris Johnson. The way they carry themselves, they stand out.”

“I’ve never seen a freshman class this advanced in my whole life,’’ Denis said. “It’s almost as if Francis had been here before. He knew every play, caught on so quickly.’’

More, from the freshmen:

Damari Brown

▪ Cornerback Damari Brown, 18, who will wear No. 6 and arrived May 21st out of Plantation American Heritage: “Tomorrow will be the start of a new journey. I’ve been rowdied up, anxious to get out there and put a helmet on again. It’s going to be so much fun. With the talent we have, the size, the skill, this team will be counting on a lot of freshmen this year to be making plays.”

Brown’s older brother, UCF cornerback transfer Davonte Brown, told Damari to “make the best out of the opportunities given me, learn the playbook and when my name is called don’t give them any reason to take you out.’’

▪ Defensive tackle Joshua Horton, 18, who said he’s 6-5 and 300 pounds and chose UM over Georgia and Auburn: “I felt like I had a great connection and relationship with the coaches as far as feeling safe and taken care of.

“I know what I have to get accomplished. Everybody has the same mindset of trying to bring Miami back to where it once was.’’

▪ Linebacker Marcellius Pulliam, out of Sandy Creek High in Tyrone, Georgia: “I’m prepared to smooth into it and make it happen. I woke up this morning and was ready to get to work. I’m ready to put the pads on, come down and let it hit. I’m ready to get better with everyone around me.”

Concluded Pulliam: “We’re all on the same mission, and that’s to bring the U back.’’