Miami football could still add through 2020 transfer portal
During a Zoom meeting with Miami football beat reporters on Friday, Hurricanes head coach Manny Diaz said they are not out of the running to add more players through the 2020 transfer portal.
The Miami football program used its last 2020 scholarship on offensive tackle Issiah Walker who transferred from Florida. Walker is an incoming freshman who enrolled early at Florida. The four-star recruit spent the spring semester in Gainesville. Any player added going forward will count toward the 2021 scholarship limit.
FBS college football programs are limited to signing 25 players per recruiting cycle. Miami reached that limit by adding Walker earlier this week. In a Zoom meeting with Miami beat reporters on Friday Hurricanes head coach Manny Diaz said that the option to add more transfers is still open.
Houston graduate transfer offensive tackle Jarrid Williams is the most likely player that could be added to the Miami football roster for the 2020 season. Williams would provide the Hurricanes with stability on the offensive line, particularly at left tackle. Williams would give younger Miami offensive linemen a chance to grow.
The NCAA extended the ban on official visits through the end of June. Diaz and his staff have had to adapt to the new reality and current state of recruiting. The Miami coaching staff has had a chance to get to know prospects through phone calls and video conferencing. Diaz was quoted in the Miami Herald and HurricaneSports.Com.
"“We have the ability to add players…Always looking for ways to potentially improve our team. I do think, especially with some of the new members of our staff who are all outstanding recruiters, [offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee, offensive line coach Garin Justice and receivers coach Rob Likens].I think it’s really given us an opportunity to really play catch-up in some spots and really start to solidify some relationships in the recruiting process because everyone’s home. That’s just one of the things, everyone’s life kind of slowed down. Not just us, but the young men.”"
Other than potentially adding Williams, finding a QB in the Class of 2021 is a priority. Miami missed out on former Alabama QB Taulia Tagovailoa when he announced he is transferring to Maryland this week. The Hurricanes need to add depth at QB. Miami has two QBs on the roster who will be eligible in 2022.
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Houston graduate transfer D’Eriq King has only the 2020 season with Miami. Rising redshirt juniors N’Kosi Perry and Tate Martell have only the 2020 and ’21 seasons remaining with eligibility. Either Martell, Perry, or both could decide to find a new school as graduate transfers for the 2021 season.