Lorenzo Lingard listed as top three breakout candidate for the Miami Hurricanes

Running Back Competition

Travis Homer and Dee Jay Dallas are the two top returning running backs for the Hurricanes. Homer took over for Mark Walton after Walton suffered a season-ending ankle injury early in the season against Florida State. ‘

He finished the 2017 season ranked seventh in the ACC with 966 rushing yards. Homer’s eight rushing touchdowns were tied for 11th in the ACC.

Once Homer took over for the injured Walton, Dallas was promoted to the number two running back spot. Prior to being promoted, Dallas was a wide receiver.

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Homer and Dallas should both be considerably improved for the 2018 season. Homer will enter 2018 after an entire offseason preparing as the premier back. Dallas will start 2018 having worked primarily with the running backs during the offseason.

Outlook

Despite a rough spring, Lingard is too talented not to play this season for the Hurricanes. Miami begins the season on September 2 against LSU. Right now, it does not seem like Lingard will see much action against LSU.

Fortunately, he will have opportunities to prove himself in the weeks following LSU. Before the Hurricanes begin ACC play, Miami will play Savannah State at home in week two and travel to Toledo the third week of the season.

Miami’s final non-conference game will take place week four at home against Florida International University. It will be former Miami Head Butch Davis’s first game against his former employer.

Weeks two through four should be enough time for Lingard to adjust to the speed of the college game and improve as a blocker. The Hurricanes will host ACC Coastal opponent North Carolina in week five.

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By the time Miami opens ACC play, expect Lingard to establish himself within the offense and prove why he is widely considered a breakout candidate for the Hurricanes in 2018.