ACC Digital listed Miami Hurricanes true freshman running back Lorenzo Lingard as a top three breakout candidate for the 2018 season. The other players mentioned were sophomores, cornerback Trajan Bandy and wide receiver Jeff Thomas.
Lingard is a unique mention because unlike Bandy and Thomas, Lingard has yet to play a snap for the Miami Hurricanes. Not only has Lingard caught the attention of ACC Digital, but Athlon Sports listed Lingard as one of college football’s 20 impact true freshmen for 2018.
According to 247Sports, Lingard was ranked as a five-star recruit and the second best running back in the country coming out of high school in 2018. The U.S. All-American ranked as the sixth best player in the state of Florida and the 25th best player overall by 247Sports.
Lingard was the only five-star recruit in the Miami Hurricanes 2018 recruiting class according to 247Sports. He is the first five-star recruit at Miami for Head Coach Mark Richt.
ESPN ranked Lingard as the fourth best running back in the country and the eighteenth best player in the state of Florida. Lingard was a four-star recruit and the sixtieth best player overall according to ESPN.
In addition to being one of the most highly sought-after recruits in college football, Lingard won the state championship in the 300-meter hurdles and won the Gatorade Florida Player of the Year award.
Lingard finished his senior season at Orange City-University High with 1,701 rushing yards and 26 touchdowns on only 207 carries. He enrolled in Miami in January and was able to participate in spring practice.
Lingard’s Spring Practice
After an impressive high school career, Lingard’s spring participation was greatly anticipated. In February, Miami Offensive Coordinator Thomas Brown described Lingard as:
"“A slasher, a one-cut downhill type guy who can make you miss without a lot of wiggling”."
Early on during spring practice, Coach Brown continued to speak highly of Lingard saying:
"“He’s full of energy. Goes full speed all the time. Got to get him to slow the game down and process a little bit slower and control his body. He can be out of control at times. I would much rather have a guy that goes too hard all the time than a guy who I’ve got to kick in the butt to try to get harder, but there’s obviously a learning curve right now.”"