Which Second Year Miami Hurricanes Can Break Out In 2024? | Donno Mailbag
The Miami Hurricanes have nearly two dozen players looking to make their second season in Coral Gables a breakout campaign.
Last season, we already saw significant impact from edge rusher Rueben Bain, running back Mark Fletcher and offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa. Bain led the team with 7.5 sacks and was named ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year. Fletcher led Miami in rushing. Mauigoa started every game at right tackle.
Which of their 2023 classmates will rise to the occasion next year? We tackle this loaded question in our new mailbag.
Q: Who do you predict to be the biggest riser from freshman to sophomore year (1 offense, 1 defense)? - Dan Cardwell
A: Giving just two examples isn't easy, Dan, but let me start with Samson Okunlola on offense and Raul "Popo" Aguirre on defense.
Okunlola is a former 5-star recruit. He got some playing time early in his freshman season but spent most of the year on the sidelines injured. He's fully healthy now and competing well in the early days of spring practice. "The Pancake Honcho" is someone to watch in the competition for Miami's starting left guard spot. He was an absolute bully on the field in high school and his technique was advanced. This could be his breakout year.
I bring up Aguirre before other defenders because he practiced so well in the first week of spring ball and was creating buzz during offseason workouts. He's up to around 232 lbs and told me before spring that he's feeling very comfortable at both linebacker positions. While I don't expect Aguirre to beat out either Kiko Mauigoa or Wesley Bissainthe for a starting spot, I think he will feature prominently in Miami's linebacker rotation.
Let me reiterate... picking two players, like you asked, doesn't mean I think these will be the only two who have a chance to break out.
Defensive back Damari Brown, who hasn't practiced yet this spring, can compete for a starting job. Wide receiver Ray Ray Joseph has really flashed in practice and can become an upgraded version of what Miami used to have with Brashard Smith, who transferred to SMU. I can say the same for fellow receiver Robby Washington. Robby's twin brother, Bobby Washington, can carve out a rotational spot for himself at linebacker. He's bulked up to 230 lbs at 6-3.
Tight end Riley Williams was second behind 9-year veteran Cam McCormick on the depth chart for most of last season. Williams is gigantic at 6-6 and around 250 lbs, and he has soft hands, instinctive blocking, and a ton of upside.
Williams' roommate, Jayden Wayne, was a four-star edge rusher in the 2023 class. Miami has a loaded rotation on the edges but Wayne has the talent to get near the top of it.
It's so important for these players, and others not mentioned, to take big step forward this year. The class of 2023 was Mario Cristobal's first full recruiting class at Miami. This is the class that needs to spearhead Cristobal's rebuild and set the tone for the next three classes. In other words, these players must be developed properly.
More: Competition Brewing And Young Players Stepping Up At Miami Hurricanes Spring Practice
