Miami Hurricanes RB depth will be tested in opener vs. Florida

The depth for the Miami Hurricanes running backs will be tested in the season opener against Florida. Sophomore RB Lorenzo Lingard is expected to be out against the Gators.

Miami Hurricanes sophomore running back Lorenzo Lingard suffered a season-ending injury after six games in the 2018 season. Lingard is still recovering from the injury and is expected to miss the season opener against Florida August 24. Lingard told Inside the U he expects to be cleared for contact in a week or two.

Lingard being out for the season opener will test the depth of the Miami Hurricanes running backs. Expect junior DeeJay Dallas and sophomore Cam’Ron Harris to receive the majority of the carries. Miami is likely to use a ball-control offense with redshirt freshman Jarren Williams starting his first game against Florida.

Lingard was off to a great start last season before suffering the knee injury against Virginia. Lingard ran for 136 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries in six games in 2018. His eight yards per carry led the team for anyone with more than one carry. Lingard had four carries for 82 yards and both TDs against Savannah State.

The 2018 freshman added to his total against the Tigers with 10 carries for 50 yards against FIU. Lingard seemed poised to be an important part of the Miami offense last season behind Dallas and Travis Homer before the injury. Harris picked up the slack and showed a lot of promise in Lingard’s absence.

Lingard told Inside the U he is frustrated not being able to go full speed in practice yet. The sophomore discussed his recovery time and when he expects to be able to play this season.

"“All of it is frustrating, Not being able to compete for nine or 10 months it’s crazy. But here I have a great support system—home, here, friends and family and they keep me uplifting. I’m ahead of schedule on recovery time. It’s just a matter of time when the doctor says, ‘OK you’re ready’ and when my trainer says, ‘OK he’s ready.’”“Physically I’m better and mentally I’m better too, but I missed out on the majority of the season last year, missed out on the spring, and now summer camp I can’t partake in. Now I have to stay mentally strong and mentally focused because during drills I have the ball in my hands on certain plays, but it’s like I’m hurting.I feel like I can go 1,000 miles an hour mentally, but physically with the brace on it limits me. I know the doc wants me to get contact soon like in the next week or two. Then we’ll see from there and I’ll pretty much be ready to go.It felt great because track gives me a peace of mind to focus. I can really focus on running straight. By me being an elite track athlete out of high school I know what to do with certain things. I know how to watch a video and fix this, fix that with my running.For me personally to get back to where I am speed-wise I have to run track. I have to partake in some kind of track training to feel like I’m back to myself again. Running-wise I haven’t lost my speed at all. I ran 21 miles an hour with the Catapult on about three weeks so pretty much my speed is there.It sucks because I’m faster without it, (a knee brace) I feel like I can basically run without it. It limits me to really open up my stride so I don’t like it Preseason has been a little hard with learning the plays I got a chance to get in on some things to get a feel for it again.Pretty much I’m taking it day by day. I am close to being ready.”"

Redshirt sophomore Robert Burns is the healthiest of his collegiate career and expected to get playing time behind Dallas and Harris while Lingard is out. At 5’11, 225 pounds, Burns gives Miami a good option near the goal line. Dallas is 5’10 and up to 220 pounds as well. Fullback Realus George is another option near the goal line.

Lingard is the only consensus five-star player on the Miami Hurricanes roster. Once he returns from the knee injury, Miami will have exceptional depth at running back. Lingard is expected to take away carries from Dallas and Harris. He is the best home run threat the Hurricanes will have in the backfield.