Miami Hurricanes OL Navaughn Donaldson announces 2020 redshirt

Posting to his Twitter account on Wednesday afternoon Miami Hurricanes senior offensive lineman Navaughn Donaldson announced he will be taking a redshirt season in 2020.

After consulting with his family and the Miami Hurricanes coaching staff, senior offensive lineman Navaughn Donaldson has decided to take a redshirt season in 2020. Donaldson has been the anchor on the Miami offensive line over the last three seasons with 34 starts in 37 appearances.

By far the most experienced offensive lineman Miami has, Donaldson, has started 15 games at right guard, all 13 in 2019 at left guard and six at right tackle in 2018. Donaldson was projected to return to being the left guard on the Miami offensive line in 2020. A severe knee injury ended Donaldson’s 2020 season against Duke.

The injury was severe enough to keep Donaldson from participating in the abbreviated four practices the Miami Hurricanes were able to hold in March. Donaldson’s injury against Duke occurred in the last game of the 2019 season. There was a chance that Donaldson was not going to be ready for start of the 2020 season.

Now Donaldson will have a chance to lengthen his rehab and still participate towards the end of the 2020 Miami Hurricanes football season. Donaldson will be able to participate in up to four games for Miami in 2020 and still maintain his redshirt. Donaldson was am ESPN true freshman All-American in 2017.

Donaldson was named 2017 All-ACC Honorable Mention but did not earn a spot on the 2018 or 2019 All-ACC teams. Some analysts have stated that they felt Donaldson has regressed in his progress over the past two seasons. Donaldson will primarily be able to concentrate on his health during the 2020 season.

Who will replace Donaldson as a starter on the offensive line?

The question becomes who will replace Donaldson as a starter on the Miami Hurricanes offensive line. Sophomore Jakai Clark who started all 12 games at right guard last season but would have been challenged to start in 2020 will likely be the first candidate to start for Miami at guard.

Corey Gaynor is secure as the starting center for Miami in 2020. Houston graduate transfer Jarrid Williams is a near lock as a starter at one tackle position. Redshirt freshman John Campbell and junior D.J. Scaife will likely be the starters at the other two spots for Miami on the offensive line. Both players are versatile.

Depending on where Williams plays, the other positions would fall into place. Williams played primarily right tackle at Houston, but with his experience, Miami might want him at right tackle. Campbell or Scaife both have the skills to place either guard or tackle, with Clark at the other guard spot.