Miami Hurricanes Offense: Changed For The Good? "We'll See Friday!"
When asked about the progress of the Miami Hurricanes offense, new coordinator Shannon Dawson put it simply, "We'll see Friday."
Dawson will try and turn around a unit that averaged just 19.4 points per game last year against FBS competition.
"I think we've progressed well, in my opinion, in practice," Dawson said. "Practice is different from a game. We'll see where we're at when we play on Friday."
Dawson's Houston Cougars averaged 36.0 points per contest in 2022. They had a 4,000+ yard passer and a 1,400 yard receiver. After last season in Miami, Hurricanes fans can only dream about numbers like those.
His scheme should help. Dawson comes from the Hal Mumme "air raid" coaching tree with an emphasis on creating mismatches, getting receivers open in space, and keeping defenses off-balance with movement.
A transformation from last season requires more than just a fresh scheme. The talent needs to improve and I believe it will.
Miami added three new high end starters to their offensive line. Transfer left guard Javion Cohen, transfer center Matt Lee, and freshman right tackle Francis Mauigoa, a 5-Star recruit, should give the Hurricanes the facelift they needed at the line of scrimmage.
In an effort to compliment returning starting receivers Jacolby George, Xavier Restrepo and Colbie Young, Miami went into the transfer portal to pick up former Alabama WR Tyler Harrell and JUCO wideout Shemar Kirk. Don't sleep on freshman receiver Nathaniel "Ray Ray" Joseph, either.
Starting quarterback Tyler Van Dyke is being put in a position to succeed.
This all sounds great on paper, but Dawson said it best, you don't know what you truly have until game day.
I asked Dawson how the passing game was progressing in practice. Early in camp, he told us the timing and sync between the quarterbacks and receivers was still a work in progress.
"It looks good. Our passing game has come along." Head Coach Mario Cristobal expressed the same confidence earlier.
However, Dawson realizes that Miami's receiving corps is yet to us they're ready to take the next step. A true number one option has not emerged just yet.
"We don't have a 100 reception guy coming back," he noted. Dawson had one of those last season. Houston's Tank Dell caught 109 passes for 1,398 yards. Tight end Will Mallory led Miami with 42 catches in 2022. Mallory is now with the Indianapolis Colts.
"We've got to find out who our dudes are. We think we have a good idea but I'd like to be pleasantly surprised by some (other) guys, too."
I predict Colbie Young to be the guy who takes the biggest step forward. He caught 32 balls last year for 376 yards and 5 touchdowns. Last season was Young's Power Five debut out of junior college. He began to show us flashes in the Virginia Tech and Duke games. However, once Tyler Van Dyke injured his shoulder, we didn't see much from the passing game after that.
Xavier Restrepo should also enjoy a major bounce back season. He was limited by injury in 2022.
Dawson referred to Miami's running back group as one of the most talented units on the team. Despite the air raid label, his offenses at Houston and West Virginia were balanced. You can expect backs like transfer Ajay Allen, freshman Mark Fletcher, and junior Henry Parrish to play a major role in moving the chains. Allen rushed for 91 yards at the CanesFest scrimmage and looked like Miami's most complete back.
Opening night opponent Miami of Ohio is not a pushover. They had a top 35 defense last season, only surrendering 22.6 points per game. They return 17 of their top 22 defenders this year.
I take comfort in hearing from Dawson and Cristobal that the offense has made strides with their timing and communication. If they have those things in sync on Friday, we'll have a really good idea of where things stand before the opponents get even tougher.
The Hurricanes are 16.5 point favorites at home against the Redhawks.
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