Countdown to Canes Football: No. 11 Mark Fletcher
How will Miami’s running back depth chart round out? Today’s Countdown to Canes Football player could be in a position to start off his Hurricanes career with a bang.
Who’s been discussed before today? Here: Full Countdown to Canes Football List
Mark Fletcher
Size: 6-foot-1, 220 pounds
Class: Freshman
Position: Running Back
Recruitment and Background
From famed Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) American Heritage, Fletcher originally committed to the Ohio State Buckeyes before flipping to the Canes. He was a national recruit that earned offers from across the nation and finished as the No. 142 player in the 247 composite.
Why Would A Freshman Rank So High?
Positional and situational need, talent, intelligence, a penchant for succeeding in the clutch, pass protection, and sheer size all came to mind. Fletcher might need to take more reps as a freshman than head coach Mario Cristobal might like, but much depends on the injury status of Don Chaney, Jr. and TreVonte’ Citizen.
With both of them having been injured in the last year and running back being a brutal position to begin with, it’s a good bet that the talented freshman will see plenty of reps.
That could be especially true in passing situations when a bigger back can help block and protect quarterback Tyler Van Dyke. Even if it just ends up being for only a few games that Fletcher ends up being a featured runner and/or player in the passing game, his efforts could be the difference between Miami going to a major bowl game or not.
Style Of Play
Downhill first, that’s Fletcher. He can break down and shake a defensive player, no doubt, it’s just that Fletcher’s burst into and out of the hole have placed him in a position to make decisions about whether to plow over an opposing player and attempt to make that opponent miss altogether. He’s not just a runner either.
With natural hands, Fletcher has shown to be a running back that can catch the football over his shoulder and in traffic. That point will allow him to see the field even more as well.
Being A Smart Player
Fletcher will make good plays with or without the football in his hands. Carrying out fakes, catching the football, ball security, understanding his assignment on each play, etc. Those traits helped to separate him at the prep level and he will be that guy again at the college level, too.
Situational Football
He's a powerfully built young man. When a short yardage situation arises, Fletcher could be a great option beyond Henry Parrish, Jr. Same deal any place inside the 10 yard line. Fletcher could be a power runner that the Canes also fake the football to and run some play-action passes as well.
Running Back Is A Numbers Game
Parrish should be the starter and that’s not being debated. It’s just that attrition at running back was almost always high and that’s not suddenly changing. Further, the reason Fletcher was placed higher on the list than Parrish himself would be the pressure of a freshman being thrusted into the lineup even if it’s just for specific situations.
While challenging, he should be up to the task.Fletcher has shown maturity in the past and his love for the game will only help him gain more wisdom and do so quickly.
2023 Projection
He will share carries off the bench. Players like Ajay Allen could share the load with him, as could Chaney and/or Citizen. Look for Fletcher to have some big moments regardless. He was clutch for American Heritage and a player that was counted on week after week. Expect much of the same now that Fletcher has become a Hurricane.
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