The futile Miami Hurricanes offense led to a collapse from 10-3 in 2017 to 7-6 in 2018. One NFL Executive commented on the lack of skills at some key positions on offense.
Speaking to anonymously to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, the NFL Executive went after the entire Miami Hurricanes offense except for the tight ends. That might have been more an error of omission than high regard for Brevin Jordan, Will Mallory and the Miami Hurricanes tight ends.
The poor quarterback play and inconsistent offensive line were obvious in 2018. Travis Homer and DeeJay Dallas produced big in some games and were stifled in other. Miami had a highly ranked wide receiver corps, but they completely underachieved in 2018.
Any talk about the dismal Miami Hurricanes offense in 2018 has to begin with the quarterbacks. It’s been discussed ad nauseam by any and every blog and media outlet that covers Miami football. Not much more can be said about it at this point.
Miami Hurricanes
Miami was 113th in passing yards per game in 2018. They were anywhere from 90th to worse in nearly every passing category. Miami is going to need a big leap of improvement from N’Kosi Perry, Tate Martell to gain eligibility or Jarren Williams to live up to his high school billing to improve their passing game in 2019.
The Miami offensive line was nearly as bad as the passing game. The two biggest measures of success for an offensive line are sacks allowed and rushing yards per carry.
Miami finished a mediocre 59th in sacks allowed last season. The Hurricanes were much better run blocking finishing 24th nationally. The way the Miami offense played last season the talent evaluation fits the (lack of) production.
"“They have poor to marginal quarterback play, average running backs and receivers, poor offensive line. Nowhere on offense were they above average. Not nearly as athletic as they been have in the past. Their speed has really [diminished].I’ve never seen quarterback play worse at that program. There’s something wrong with their evaluation of offensive linemen.”"
Jordan had a very solid Freshman year in 2018. The Las Vegas native finished with 32 receptions for 287 yards and four touchdowns. Wide receiver Jeff Thomas had a productive season before not playing in the final two games due to a disciplinary issue.
Thomas led Miami with 35 receptions for 563 yards and three touchdowns. He was explosive at times on special teams. He added another 481 return yards and spectacular punt return touchdown at Virginia Tech.
Miami did a great job in the offseason upgrading the talent. Since Diaz took over the Hurricanes have added six players through the transfer portal to add to the two that signed in December before Mark Richt’s resignation.
In addition to Martell, Miami added Graduate Transfer wide receiver K. J. Osborn from Buffalo. Left tackle Tommy Kennedy from Buffalo is likely to be the starting left tackle in 2019.
Asa Martin was the Alabama High School Player of the Year in 2017. He comes from Auburn. Martin will give the Hurricanes a big boost in the backfield likely in 2020. It doesn’t appear if he applies for a waiver to play in 2019 that he would receive one.
The rest of the transfers for the Hurricanes are on defense. Manny Diaz and his staff are off to a good start in 2020 recruiting cycle. The Hurricanes currently have the nation’s third-ranked recruiting class. They need to hold on to those commitments for ten months and make sure that class stays intact.