Incoming Miami Hurricanes RB Lorenzo Lingard named instant impact Freshman

Incoming Miami Hurricanes Freshman running back Lorenzo Lingard has been named as an instant impact true Freshman by ESPN. The Mothership compiled a list of one impact Freshman for each of their projected Top 25 teams for 2018.

Lingard is the Miami Hurricanes third highest-ranked player in the Storm ’18 Class according to ESPN’s rankings. Lingard is ranked by ESPN as the 60th best player in the Class of 2018, the fourth best running back and the 34th best player in Florida.

Curiously, ESPN has incoming tight end Brevin Jordan ranked ahead of Lingard and as the highest-ranked player in the Storm ’18 class. Jordan is almost assuredly going to be the starting tight end in 2018.

Lingard is going to have to battle for the starting running back position and carries with incumbent Travis Homer, rising Sophomore and the current backup DeeJay Dallas and Lingard’s classmate Camron Davis.

Homer had a stellar season in his first year as a starter. He ran for 966 yards and added 219 yards in receptions after not getting the starting job at running back until the fifth game of the season. He fell just shy of becoming the fourth Miami Hurricanes running back in as many seasons to reach 1,000 yards rushing.

Dallas was switched to running back from wide receiver at the same time after Mark Walton was lost for the season with an ankle injury. Dallas ran for 217 yards and three touchdowns and added another 92 yards on four receptions.

ESPN’s David Hale profiled Lingard.

"8. Miami: RB Lorenzo Lingard“With depth a concern for the Hurricanes, Mark Richt isn’t hiding anything. The freshmen will play, and they’ll likely play a lot, the coach said. The question is: Who’ll be ready to make the biggest impact quickly?There are plenty of options, especially in the secondary, where Miami will need some immediate help. But the name that continues to stick out for Canes fans is running back Lingard — the No. 4 back in the country, according to ESPN’s recruiting rankings, and potentially the most dynamic runner to arrive at Miami since Duke Johnson. — Hale”"

Comparing Lingard to Duke Johnson is high praise. Johnson ran for over 900 yards in each of his three seasons with the Hurricanes. A broken ankle prevented Johnson from becoming only the second Miami Hurricanes running back to rush for over 1,000 yards in two separate seasons. Johnson holds the school record for career rushing yards with 3,519 set during the 2014 season.

Lingard signed with the Hurricanes during the early signing period last month. He has already enrolled at Miami and is working hard getting ready for next season.

Next: Miami Hurricanes named one of the teams on the rise for 2018

There is a lot of excitement around the Miami Hurricanes and their Storm ’18 Class. Whether its Lingard, Jordan or someone else who becomes Miami’s biggest impact Freshmen, many will get a chance to earn that moniker. The 2018 Miami Hurricanes season will seek to build on the success the U had in 2017.