Ranking Miami's Remaining Transfer Portal Needs
Mario Cristobal and the Miami Hurricanes chipped away at their Transfer Portal needs yesterday by landing commitments from cornerback/safety Jadais Richard and running back Ajay Allen.
That’s two positions down.
There’s still a long way to go with helping to build the 2023 roster. Here’s the ranking for Miami’s position needs that still exist.
The number inside () represents the ideal number of players that Miami still needs from the Transfer Portal.
1) Defensive Tackle (2)
The Canes hosted talented Ole Miss transfer Tywone Malone this past weekend, but he just selected Ohio State.
The other Transfer Portal option that’s visited Miami (among others probably being recruited behind the scenes) would be Keivie Rose from Louisiana Tech. He’s been discussed here at All Hurricanes before just like Malone.
At 6-foot-3 and 303 pounds, Rose would be another excellent addition to Miami's roster. At minimum, Miami needs to sign one defensive tackle, for this next fall.
2) Quarterback (1)
This position would be the most awkward to figure out. Then again, it’s quarterback. It’s always awkward because injuries sometimes happen but they’re impossible to project.
Jacurri Brown does not appear ready to be the starting quarterback quite yet, and if Tyler Van Dyke would fall to an injury again this season…it’s Brown or true freshman Emory Williams.
One could guess that Miami just rolls the dice and leaves Transfer Portal quarterbacks alone, but not having someone with considerable experience behind Van Dyke would indeed be a major risk.
If nothing else, a savvy player that was a starter at a FCS school, or at least a signal caller that’s been in a college air raid system for at least two years so that there’s a short learning curve, would be ideal.
Yes, that’s asking a lot, but it’s honestly what could help the Canes the most if Van Dyke was injured.
If that transfer was beaten out by Brown and/or Williams, so be it. It's just better to have options.
3) Outside Wide Receiver (1)
The Hurricanes have size, and they have speedy slots. Now, a blend of the two would be great. This needs to be a player that can absolutely come in and play significant minutes right away on the side opposite of Colbie Young.
Does not necessarily need to be a starter, but someone that at least competes with Jacolby George and other Canes for the starting job.
If not a Transfer Portal player, perhaps that will be wide receiver Shemar Kirk that comes from Reedley (Calif.) Reedley Community College. Kirk can really run and has been to Miami for a visit.
4) Inside Linebacker (1)
Unless Miami wants to play multiple incoming freshmen, there most likely needs to be at least one more player taken from the Transfer Portal. A couple of reasons are listed below.
Inside linebacker has a traditionally high rate of injuries (for any team) and the Canes probably do not have enough inside linebacker depth anyway.
Having landed Francisco Mauigoa from Washington State was fantastic. Now can Cristobal and his staff find one more that can earn snaps this fall?
5) Hybrid Linebacker (1)
Also of note, if the Canes can sign a linebacker that could play in space as a specialty, that would be another fantastic piece of news. In other words, a hybrid-type of linebacker.
That spot has become tougher and tougher with the way offensive coordinators can use various receivers, running backs and even tight ends at the slot position.
This could even be a big safety that’s just really good near the box but also willing to take on a variety of body types in coverage.
6) Versatile Offensive Lineman (1)
This should probably be a player that’s capable of helping Miami at multiple spots, i.e. a guard that could possibly play center in a pinch, or perhaps slide out to offensive tackle. Fortunately Miami already secured the services of Javion Cohen (Alabama) and Matt Lee (UCF), so that was a fantastic start to securing the offensive line overall.
Seeing the young offensive linemen from the spring game like Samson Okunlola and Francis Mauigoa also helped to feel better about the 2023 Miami offensive line.
As for the Transfer Portal, if it’s a player that’s truly just a guard or tackle, it needs to be a really talented player; someone that can immediately compete for a starting role. There’s one possible option related to the Transfer Portal to note as well.
Miami hosted junior college offensive lineman Amaury Wiggins, so that’s another option like the Portal because it’s a player with some college experience.
7) Defensive End (1)
If the Canes can find a veteran that’s willing to compete for a spot in the rotation, fantastic. This position should be considered much more of a luxury than what was thought about prior to spring ball, however.
With the emergence of Rueben Bain and Jayden Wayne from spring practice, and several talented edge defenders still on the roster like Nyjalik Kelly and Akheem Mesidor among others, Miami does not necessarily need a defensive end.
This would have to be a talented player. Otherwise, it’s a wasted scholarship for someone that sits on the pine.
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