Mark Richt inefficient recruiting on OL with Miami follows pattern at UGA

Mark Richt has elevated the Miami Hurricanes roster in his third season leading his alma mater. Each of the first three classes under Richt has improved from the previous one.

The first Miami Hurricanes recruiting class under Mark Richt in 2016 finished 22nd nationally, the 2017 class was 12th and the 2018 class was eighth. The numbers in and of themselves were impressive. The Hurricanes landed a lot of four-star skill positions players. Did Miami sign enough offensive linemen in those classes?

Canes Warning spoke to FanSided’s Georgia Site Dawn of the Dawg to discuss Mark Richt’s tenure and review any similarities that might have occurred between Richt’s recruiting patterns at Georgia and Miami.

Dawn of the Dawg’s Expert Allistair Penny felt that in both places Richt did an excellent job recruiting skill position players but not enough with offensive linemen. Penny felt that Smart demanded excellence at a higher level than Richt did. This especially related to the offensive line.

"“He didn’t demand excellence and he paid for it in the end…The biggest example of this was the OL…UGAs recruiting on the offensive line was shocking for the final half-decade of his tenure.”"

Richt has frequently stated that the offensive line at Miami is the area in the biggest need of upgrading. The Hurricanes have struggled up front offensively during Richt’s two and a half seasons leading his alma mater.

The big uglies, as late legendary College Football announcer Keith Jackson used to say, have not done a consistently good enough job protecting the quarterback or creating running lanes.

The Hurricanes have consistently struggled against the better teams they have played to maintain any consistency on offense. Miami is 50th this season against Power Five teams averaging 179.83 rushing yards per game.

Miami’s 4.4 yards per carry is 54th against Power Five teams. The Canes are 87th with 16 sacks allowed in seven games.