Ranking the Hurricanes' 10 Most Important Players for 2024

Which Miami players step during spring practice?

During spring practice, which Miami Hurricanes must step up for the 2024 team to maximize its potential?

Spring ball opens on March 4 and many players are coming off injuries, are coming to UM from the Transfer Portal, or simply need to improve their games. Here's a look at how Alex Donno and I each rank Miami's 10 most important players to improve this spring.

Donno's Top 10

1. Quarterback Cam Ward - He has just one season to help elevate the Hurricanes while elevating his NFL Draft stock. Ward is already omnipresent in offseason workouts and establishing chemistry with his teammates.

2. Safety Mishael Powell - He started in the defensive backfield of the national runners-up at Washington. Powell will look to stabilize an otherwise young safety room that just lost Kam Kinchens and James Williams to the NFL.

3. Center Zach Carpenter - The Indiana transfer center will try to anchor Miami's offensive line the way Matt Lee did last season.

4. Cornerback Damari Brown - He got his feet wet last year as a true freshman and can likely earn a starting job in 2024. The former American Heritage defensive back must develop into a lockdown corner at the Power Five level.

5. Running Back Chris Johnson, Jr. - With Mark Fletcher set to miss spring football due to injury, Johnson should expect extra reps with the opportunity of carving out a spot in Miami's deep running back rotation. He's arguably the fastest player on the team and could be a major asset.

6. Defensive Tackle CJ Clark - The NC State transfer will likely land a starting defensive tackle spot but he'll need to earn it in practice. Miami will hope he can fill the void left by Leonard Taylor.

7. Slot Receiver Nathaniel "Ray Ray" Joseph - He can become one of the next great receivers at Miami. The sophomore will have more opportunities to get on the field next season and can be an important cog on special teams as a returner.

8. Tight End Riley Williams - We all want to see Miami's tight ends get more involved in the passing game. The 6-6 Williams is a mismatch for opposing defenses and he showed soft hands in high school at IMG Academy. If used correctly he can blow up this season with Ward throwing him the football.

9. Offensive Guard Matthew McCoy - He was typically the first offensive lineman off the bench last season and could be favored on paper to become the next starting left guard. McCoy has a great chance to earn that spot starting in spring.

10. Wide Receiver Jacolby George - He's already proven himself as an excellent wide receiver but has had issues committing too many penalties and staying focused off the field. If George can put everything together, the sky's the limit for him. 

Donno places a big emphasis on Miami utilizing the talent that's present. That's smart. Several up-and-coming players need to step up. My list is somewhat similar, with a few twists.

Smith's Top 10

1. Quarterback Cam Ward - He's the ringleader who can take offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson's offensive experience and concepts to new heights. Ward must not only be accurate and make big plays, he must be respected as a leader and a mentor. 

2. Cornerback Damari Brown - It's time. Miami, for far too long, has not had a consistent cover corner similar to Brown's 6-foot-2 and 195 pounds, per the UM Athletic's site. If Miami is getting back to being a national contender, Brown must be a player that other teams fear throwing toward.

3. Safety Mishael Powell - Miami needs to continue to have playmakers in its secondary. Looking at the Pro Football Focus statistics and grades for the safety, Powell's 37 tackles and only one touchdown pass allowed on him last season are promising.

4. Center Zach Carpenter - Replacing future NFL Draft pick Matt Lee is not easy but Carpenter has experience at Michigan and Indiana. Big 10 football is legit so his experience and talent will be valuable in helping man the pivot of what will be one of college football's best offensive lines.

5. Linebacker Wesley Bissainthe - Now a junior, Bissainthe should be a more consistent playmaker. He needs to take even better angles to the football, sniffing out plays due to recognizing formations and personnel. He has NFL talent it is time to take his game to the next level.

6. Tight End Elijah Arroyo - For Miami's offense to work like Mario Cristobal and Dawson would prefer, multiple tight ends must be able blockers and pass catchers. Arroyo's upside is tremendous. Hopefully, his injuries are behind him. Arroyo can also help the younger tight ends and be a leader.

7. Defensive Tackle Ahmad Moten - Point blank, Moten's size and power need to be noticed this spring. Miami's need for more defensive tackle talent is obvious, too. The Canes are not becoming a big-time program without more proven interior defensive line play. Moten knows Lance Guidry's scheme now and it's time to produce. He should push for major playing time.

8. Defensive End Nyjalik Kelly - Be healthy. That's first. Next, time to find the quarterback. That is all. The rest will take care of itself for the former Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) Dillard graduate.

9. Wide Receiver Isaiah Horton - With Colbie Young off to the Georgia Bulldogs, Horton is the odds-on favorite to man the boundary wide receiver spot. He's a talented player going into his third year on the team but there's also a lot of responsibility and he needs to rise to the occasion.

10. Offensive Guards Tommy Kinsler IV and Matthew McCoy - One of these two likely starts and the other as the primary backup. Both Kinsler and McCoy possess NFL ability. Let the battle for the starting nod begin.

AllHurricanes will be breaking down position groups next.