Miami's Evolving Depth Chart: Offense
In today’s ever-evolving college football world of personnel packages and spread offenses, keeping up with depth charts can be hard. The Miami Hurricanes fit that profile well.
Also, how well a player accomplishes a certain task like a running back in pass protection, as that’s vital in keeping the offense rolling and the quarterback healthy. Items like those will be something else that Mario Cristobal and his staff will monitor, and Canes fans should as well.
So, here are a few items to watch – position by position – during the Hurricanes home opener versus the Miami RedHawks.
Quarterback - Even with Tyler Van Dyke as the obvious signal caller to watch (see video for injury status clarification), if the Canes do extend the lead and Jacurri Brown enters the lineup, does he look sharp in the passing game? Before getting into personnel packages, one other item to discuss about Brown’s performance first.
Most importantly, how comfortable does he look when going through progressions? Does he bail too quickly and take off? Does Brown stay in the pocket and calmly deliver to his third or fourth read (even if it’s a check down)?
This will be a key if Brown has to play any significant amount of time this season, as offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson’s scheme can light up a scoreboard when a signal caller understands its dynamics.
That is, if a quarterback has a strong grasp of progressions, especially when a defense makes post-snap changes (show Cover 3 prior to the snap, but change the coverage afterwards). There’s no shortcut here. It will be interesting to see how Brown plays, assuming the Canes blowout the RedHawks.
Of course, that includes Brown’s understanding of all the different packages and how to best utilize the talent in the lineup. Playing quarterback is really hard. It’s still the challenge that Brown is taking on. Let’s see how the true sophomore plays if and when he’s behind center.
Running Back - This position could be a solid rotation or perhaps a player takes the lead role? Hard to say. Perhaps there will be specific scenarios for the bevy of backs under the direction of Tim Harris, Jr.
Assuming Henry Parrish, Jr. starts, how many snaps and during what type of situations does Ajay Allen play?
Same deal with freshman Mark Fletcher. A power runner, Fletcher is a capable receiver and provides the size to pass protect. Is he up to snuff in protection (technique, technique, technique!), however?
There are a lot of different outcomes for Miami's running back rotation that will impact which players gain the most playing time versus next week's opponent, Texas A&M, on Sep. 9.
Wide Receiver - While Dawson wants a dominant wide receiver to emerge, it’s safe to assume that Colbie Young and Xavier Restrepo will get the most targets during Game 1. Will either be a true alpha player? Time will tell.
Perhaps more importantly, does Miami’s wide receiver depth evolve? At some point, the Canes need confirmation – via a game and not a practice – which player deserves to be the No. 3 receiver.
It could be Jacolby George. Then again, maybe that’s Brashard Smith, Isaiah Horton, Tyler Harrell, Shemar Kirk or Frank Ladsdon, Jr. Do not discount freshman Nathaniel “Ray Ray” Joseph either.
Any one of these players that step up big-time during a game, that’s going to count more than what happens during a practice.
It would be great if there’s an obvious dominant receiver. After that, pay close attention to the receivers coming in and out of the lineup as well. Not just catches, but literally which wide receivers are playing the most snaps. That’s a vital clue to how Miami’s receiver depth chart is beginning to unfold.
Hint: Those wide receivers will be the ones that block just as well as they catch.
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Tight End - Miami has a lot of tight ends that are true athletes, and with different skills. It also possesses a lot of inexperience that will be on display this Friday evening versus Miami of Ohio.
From all of Miami's offensive positions, this is by far the most open to interpretation not only because of the different types of talent, but the packages as well. This is where it gets tricky.
How often does UM run 12 personnel (one running back and two tight ends)?
If the Canes operate from that set more often than say 11 personnel (one running back and one tight end), sure, more tight ends are obviously going to play. Another curious question stems from Elijah Arroyo coming back from last season’s injury. How well does he move and block?
If he’s not up to par in any way, that’s going to place freshmen tight ends Jackson Carver and Riley Williams into the discussion for more reps. There’s also the incredibly athletic Jaleel Skinner.
Could he essentially be a third or fourth receiver in a set? How about using him as a receiver that motions across the formation and kicks out during a traditional guard and tackle pulling play?
Make no mistake, the tight end position can be interpreted as one wants to see it prior to Friday night’s contest. That could well be the case after the game as well.
Offensive Line - It’s hard to believe after last season’s revolving door along the offensive line, but the Canes appear to have a unit! Thank goodness!
This position is probably more about fit and cohesion. How well do the newcomers like left guard Javion Cohen and center Matt Lee play together as well as with the other starters?
That list includes true freshman Francis Mauigoa at right tackle. It’s vital that he’s consistently able to handle edge pass rushers. There’s also the question about depth.
Hard to say if reserves will play any meaningful reps, but Miami fans should pay attention to that. Hopefully by the fourth quarter, offensive line coach Alex Mirabal has ample reason to implement the backups into the lineup.
Overall, this game should be a way to help solidify the depth chart. Lot’s of moving pieces for Miami’s evolving depth chart until certain players prove they are worthy of earning spots at their respective positions.
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Fan Nation High school football recruiting analyst covering the state of Florida, as well as across the Southeastern United States and the state of Texas.