Forecasting Top Canes Per Position Group For The 2023 Season
With Miami's roster filling out with a plethora of second window transfers and the 2023 recruits officially joining the team, Miami fans are beginning to see what this roster will look like going into the 2023 season.
While some positions like quarterback and safety have some locked in starters, the implementation of two new coordinators could see some changes in production for a handful of players.
With that being said, the AllHurricanes Staff made their predictions on the top players at each position group for the coming season.
Quarterback
Liam Willerup: Tyler Van Dyke
It's clear that Josh Gattis' offense was not fit for Van Dyke, especially after seeing the success he had under Rhett Lashlee in 2021. With an offense that should feature five-wide packages to spread the offense out, it should allow for Van Dyke to reestablish himself as one of the top quarterbacks in the conference.
Corey Carmona (Chalupa Batman): Tyler Van Dyke
Alex Donno: Tyler Van Dyke
Running Back
Liam Willerup: Henry Parrish Jr.
Parrish had a fantastic start to the 2022 season, posting consecutive 100 yard rushing games and four touchdowns in that stretch. While Miami did bring in talent with Ajay Allen from Nebraska plus Mark Fletcher and Chris Johnson in the recruiting class, Parrish is still the lead back in this offense. However with so much depth at the position, this all could change if Miami defers to a committee approach similar to what Shannon Dawson ran at Houston last season.
Corey Carmona (Chalupa Batman): Henry Parrish Jr.
Alex Donno: Henry Parrish Jr.
Wide Receiver
Liam Willerup: Tyler Harrell
Looking at beyond the numbers, Harrell would have been better statistically in 2021 for Louisville had they not had such a run-heavy approach with Malik Cunningham under center. While Colbie Young is the top returning receiver for Miami this coming season, Harrell's fit in Dawson's offense is hard to overlook. With his big play ability and versatility to play inside and out, all Harrell needs for a successful season is health and more targets (only 18 receptions in best year).
Tyler Harrell is a highlight waiting to happen!! I can’t wait to see how Coach Dawson uses him! #GoCanes #TheU 🙌🏾🟠🟢 pic.twitter.com/5K5XUUUL1f
— Chalupa Batman (@CoreyCarmona) May 12, 2023
Corey Carmona (Chalupa Batman): Colbie Young
Alex Donno: Xavier Restrepo
Tight End
Liam Willerup: Jaleel Skinner
Skinner was able to show flashes in his freshman year this past season with nine receptions for 129 yards and a touchdown in limited snaps. With Will Mallory moving onto the NFL with his selection by the Indianapolis Colts, the tight end room doesn't has a clear successor. However, with his build and jumbo wide-receiver profile, Skinner appears to be the ideal fit for Dawson's scheme. Elijah Arroyo is also a good choice, but is coming off a significant injury from last season.
Corey Carmona (Chalupa Batman): Elijah Arroyo
Alex Donno: Elijah Arroyo
Offensive Line
Liam Willerup: Zion Nelson
While Javion Cohen might be the more popular pick with multi-year starter coming from Alabama, a healthy season from Nelson could very well put him over the top. After a fantastic start to his career, Nelson was on his way to being one of the top lineman in this past NFL Draft before injuries kept him off the field in 2022. Assuming he can stay healthy, Nelson has a good shot at reestablishing that form that had him viewed as a top prospect.
Corey Carmona (Chalupa Batman): Matt Lee
Alex Donno: Francis Mauigoa/Matt Lee
Defensive Line
Liam Willerup: Akheem Mesidor
Despite top media sites forecasting a massive season from Leonard Taylor, it's hard to ignore what Mesidor did last season for Miami. He was first in a majority of stats amongst defensive lineman last season for Miami, and now will enter his second season for the Canes. Now with Lance Guidry at defensive coordinator, Miami fans hope Mesidor can continue to improve and potentially attain a double-digit sack season. Last Miami player to do that: Gregory Rousseau, who became a first-round draft selection.
Corey Carmona (Chalupa Batman): Nyjalik Kelly
Alex Donno: Leonard Taylor/Nyjalik Kelly
Linebacker
Liam Willerup: Francisco Mauigoa
Mauigoa transfers from Washington State to join his brother Francis Mauigoa in Coral Gables. While Miami's top option at linebacker has been Corey Flagg Jr., Mauigoa brings some much needed size to the linebacker room at 6-foot-3 and 230 pounds. The Hurricanes also could experiment with some of their young options, but Mauigoa has the size and production to be the lead guy for this group.
House call 🏠
— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) September 30, 2022
Francisco Mauigoa’s 95-yard pick-six, @WSUCougarFB’s second longest interception return in program history is this week’s #TUMSworthy moment.#Pac12FB | @TUMSOfficial pic.twitter.com/6J2R1zo64W
Corey Carmona (Chalupa Batman): Wesley Bissainthe
Alex Donno: Francisco Mauigoa
Cornerback
Liam Willerup: Davonte Brown
Despite Miami bringing in Jadais Richard from Vanderbilt and Jaden Davis from Oklahoma in the recent transfer portal window, Brown transfers in with arguably the most impressive resume on the team at the position. Brown has produced 17 pass deflections and three interceptions in the past two seasons, and returns to South Florida where he played high school football. Terry Roberts is also a good pick, but Brown's size as a boundary corner is hard to ignore.
Most coverage snaps played among AAC Cornerbacks without allowing a TD last season
— PFF College (@PFF_College) June 25, 2022
🔒 Ahmad Gardner: 482
🔒 Davonte Brown: 418
🔒 Justin Hodges: 373 pic.twitter.com/RWN2VwNyVj
Corey Carmona (Chalupa Batman): Davonte Brown
Alex Donno: Davonte Brown
Additionally, Te'Cory Couch projects to be the main guy at the STAR position for Miami this coming season.
Safety
Liam Willerup: Kam Kinchens
Perhaps the safest selection on this list, Kinchens returns to Miami following a season where he was AP All American and is expected to generate buzz as the top safety prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft. He'll rejoin his partner James Williams who would be the top safety on most teams in the country. As long as Kinchens continues to be a ball-hawk and cover man he is, he's the easy pick here.
Corey Carmona (Chalupa Batman): Kam Kinchens
Alex Donno: Kam Kinchens
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