The Miami Hurricanes’ new spread offense has already made an impact in recruiting according to Director of Recruiting David Cooney.
The switch to the new up-tempo spread offense by first-year Miami Hurricanes offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee is beginning to make an impact in recruiting according to Miami Football Recruiting Director David Cooney on Hurricane Hotline on WQAM as transcribed by Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald.
The Miami Hurricanes fan base and a significant segment of the media covering the football program have pressed for a switch to the spread from the more antiquated for college prostyle offense for years. The Lashlee offense is making an impact on and off the field.
Miami has four four-star skill offensive position players committed for 2021. Wide receivers Romello Brinson and Jacolby George, running back Thad Franklin and tight end Elijah Arroyo are all projected to be a huge part of the Hurricanes offense in the future. The new Miami offense is appealing to recruits.
Freshmen running backs Jaylan Knighton and Don Chaney Jr. have made an impact this year. The success Chaney and Knighton have had as first-year players should show recruits that they can make an immediate impact as true freshmen. Cooney discussed what the recruits are thinking related to the new Miami offense.
"“You can see it now with this current class…Those kids are seeing the same style of football that they’ve grown accustomed to seeing on the Pop Warner levels, the high school levels down here.You know a lot of guys are kind of in that Air Raid philosophy down here in Miami and on through the Palm Beach and Broward areas, so it’s natural that they want to be a part of it.Just seeing all the success [we’re having] allowing our athletes to get the ball in their hands quick and play in space is very, very appealing to the guys down in this area. So it’s natural that those guys want to be a part of it.”"
Knighton showed the type of player he is in space with a 75-yard touchdown reception against Louisville in September. The catch and run by the freshman RB was mostly Knighton sprinting down the right sideline with the majority of the yards coming after the catch. Chaney has come on more recently.
Miami ranks eighth with three plays this season of sixty of more yards. The Miami offense is one of the most explosive in college football this season. Getting the ball to the playmakers is one of the staples of the Lashlee offense. Recruits see that and are excited with a chance to utilize their skills in college.