The offensive line is the unit with the most question marks on the Miami football team entering the 2018 season. Four of the five starters up front offensively are new starters at their projected positions entering the season.
George Brown played right tackle with the first unit on the offensive line during Miami football Spring Practice. After getting repeatedly beaten off the snap, Brown was demoted to the second team this Spring.
Brown’s demotion caused shuffling in the offensive line on the Miami football team. Navaughn Donaldson moved to right tackle from right guard. Hayden Mahoney was promoted to the first unit at right guard in Donaldson’s place.
Freshman John Campbell is likely the third or fourth string right tackle. That depends on where rising Sophomore Zalon’Tae Hillery fits in on the offensive line. Hillery will be a back up at either guard or tackle. Both Campbell and Hillery were projected as tackles coming out of high school.
Brown is in his third season as part of the Miami football program and second being eligible to play. He transferred from LSU at the outset of the 2016 season.
Brown redshirted as a Freshman in Baton Rouge in 2015. He also had to sit out 2016 with Miami because of NCAA transfer rules. Sitting out the consecutive seasons could have greatly impacted Brown’s growth.
Campbell could be a candidate to sit out this season for the Hurricanes. The Miami football program will lose three likely starters up front following the 2018 season.
Seniors, Center Tyler Gauthier and the left side of the Miami offensive line, projected starting guard Jahair Jones and three-year starting tackle Tyree St. Louis all move on at the end of the season.
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Miami adds Venzel Boulware on the offensive line. Boulware is a Graduate transfer from Tennessee. He is expected to challenge Mahoney for the starting spot at right guard.
Despite losing his starting spot, Brown will still provide Miami with much-needed depth on the offensive line. Rising Sophomore Corey Gaynor could also challenge for playing time at right guard. Gaynor started Miami’s game against Georgia Tech last season. Donaldson was out with an injury.
Donaldson is likely at right tackle permanently for the 2018 season. Right guard could fluctuate depending on how well either Mahoney or Boulware play.
Brown has a chance to be in play as the starter at right guard. He likely will not be the starter at the beginning of the season. As the year progresses he should battle with Mahoney and Boulware.
Without much of a chance for playing time this season, redshirting would seem to be the way to go for Campbell. Miami Head Coach Mark Richt said this spring that the Hurricanes offensive line is the unit in need of the most upgrading.
Next: 74 Days to Miami football: Tyler Gauthier 2018 preview
Richt and Offensive Line Coach Stacy Searles have done a good job in the Hurricanes first three recruiting classes during Richt’s tenure upgrading the talent. Let’s hope that starts to show this season.