Miami Hurricanes freshman OT Jalen Rivers could outplay ranking
The Miami Hurricanes offensive line was their weakest unit during the 2019 season. The addition of four-star offensive tackle Jalen Rivers upgrades the talent and increases competition on the Miami offensive line.
The Miami Hurricanes offensive line was one of the worst in the country in 2019. Signing four-star offensive tackle Jalen Rivers, three-star tackle Chris Washington and obtaining incoming freshman Issiah Walker after he spent one semester at Florida help upgrade the depth and talent level on the Miami offensive line.
Rivers and Walker project to be the bookends at tackle for the Miami Hurricanes in the future. The talent on the Miami offensive line has been apparent by the lack of impact the Hurricanes have made in the NFL Draft on the offensive line the last few years. A Miami OL has not been selected in the NFL Draft since 2017.
A Miami OL has not been taken in the first round of the NFL Draft since tackle Ereck Flowers was selected by the New York Giants in 2015. Miami Hurricanes rising senior Navaughn Donaldson should be drafted in 2021. Rivers is the highest-rated offensive lineman signed by Miami since Donaldson in 2017.
Rivers graded out at .9429 by 247 Sports. Donaldson signed with Miami rated 0.9655 as a tackle. Donaldson started his career at Miami playing all 13 games at right guard and was a freshman all-American in 2017. Donaldson moved to right tackle shortly as a sophomore but the Miami staff determined he is better at guard.
"Jalen Rivers, Miami– Rivers is one that we were actually lower than the industry-generated Composite for. He was a little heavier (327 pounds) and wasn’t among the best from a pure quickness standpoint. With that said, Rivers has the profile of an offensive lineman who could outplay his ranking (No. 221 overall in the Top247).The upside is there. Rivers has two factors that matter – length and explosive power. He was a state champion in the shot put as a junior with a personal best toss of over 54 feet. Rivers might need some time to develop, but the 2020 draft has me feeling better about his long term prospects."
In an article by 247Sports “The NFL Draft has us feeling bullish about these 2020 signees.” Charles Power provided the above analysis of Rivers. Some analysts have projected that Rivers is better suited for right tackle during his collegiate career and Walker will man the left side. It remains to be seen if either will start in 2020.
Next. Miami Hurricanes 2020 projected offensive line depth chart. dark
Walker will have to ask for a waiver from the NCAA to play in 2020. Rivers has a good chance to challenge for starting spot this fall at right tackle or either guard spot. The only positions on the Miami offensive line that seem assured are Donaldson at left guard and Corey Gaynor at center. D.J. Scaife seems probable to start somewhere.