Miami Hurricanes Football Five Biggest Concerns for 2017

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Nov 26, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes running back Mark Walton (1) stiff arms Duke Blue Devils safety Alonzo Saxton II (21) during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

Running back depth behind Mark Walton:

Mark Walton gives Miami one of the best returning running backs in college football. Behind him are a plethora of question marks. Walton surpassed the departed Joseph Yearby on the depth chart last season.

He was able to take over the starting running back position after Yearby rushed for over 1,000 yards in 2015. Walton finished the season with 1,117 yards and 14 touchdowns rushing last season. He added 240 yards and another touchdown on 27 receptions.

Miami has barely more than 200 career rushing yards returning behind Walton. Trayone Gray is returning off of a torn ACL in camp last summer. Travis Homer was the ‘Canes fourth running back last season behind Walton, Yearby and Gus Edwards in 2016.

Gray has 169 yards on 29 carries with three touchdowns in his two collegiate seasons. That comes out to a very promising 5.8 yards per carry.

Homer had seven carries for 44 yards last season. It’s hard to judge him on such a small sample size.

Walton will likely get the majority of the carries. Gray, Homer and incoming freshman Robert Burns will get an opportunity to assert themselves in the opener against Bethune-Cookman. They should also get significant playing time week two against Arkansas State.

One of those three is going to have to grow up quickly. Richt and Offensive Coordinator Thomas Brown are going to have to have an idea who the primary backup is after two weeks. They travel to Florida State for week three.

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