65 Days to Miami football: Corey Gaynor starting center

Redshirt junior center Corey Gaynor started all 13 games in 2019. Gaynor provides the offensive line for the Miami football team with the most stability and its best leader entering 2020.

Corey Gaynor started all 13 games at center for the Miami football team in 2019. Gaynor has become the leader and spokesman of a very young Hurricanes offensive line. Gaynor graded out well by Pro Football Focus in 2019 as reported last month by David Lake of Inside the U.

Pass-blocking grades of 80 in at least four games last season with a 75.1 pass-blocking grade against North Carolina were high points of the season for Gaynor in 2019. Known for his toughness and intelligence, Gaynor also provides Miami with a nasty streak on the offensive line.

Gaynor will anchor the Miami offensive line with junior D.J. Scaife in 2020. There has been some speculation that Gaynor could be moved to guard with 2019 right guard Jakai Clark moving back to his more natural position of center. Other media outlets have reported that Gaynor is cemented at center.

In the four spring practices that Miami was able to hold in March, Gaynor stayed at center. New offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee and offensive line coach Garin Justice have more options on the offensive line than were available in 2019. At the very least, the Hurricanes return five starters and add one key offensive tackle.

Jarrid Williams transferred from Houston to join the Miami football program and former teammate, quarterback D’Eriq King. Gaynor, Scaife and Williams are near definite starters and the leaders of the offensive line. The other two starters for Miami upfront will be a competition.

Redshirt junior John Campbell will likely start at either guard or tackle with the fifth starter on the Miami offensive line nearly completely wide open. Clark would likely have the inside track after starting 12 games last season. Sophomore tackle Zion Nelson who started all 13 games in 2019 appears to be the odd man out.