Miami football missing 11 players including TE Brevin Jordan

Two weeks after six freshmen Miami football players missed the Hurricanes win over Virginia, 11 players are out against North Carolina State Friday night, including junior tight end Brevin Jordan

After six freshmen Miami football players missed the win over Virginia two weeks ago, 11 players are out Friday night against North Carolina State including junior tight end Brevin Jordan. Jordan missed the last two Miami games and most of the loss to Clemson nearly four weeks ago. The junior is the Hurricanes’ second-leading receiver.

The expectation all week was that Jordan would be returning this week against North Carolina State. Jordan has 18 receptions for 243 yards and is tied for the team lead on Miami with three TD receptions with junior TE Will Mallory. Mallory becomes a critical part of the Miami offense as he had been the last three games.

Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald is reporting that Jordan is healthy. There has been no further information on why Jordan is out for the game against North Carolina State. Without any information is it far too early to speculate on why Jordan is not playing.

The six freshmen who had to sit out the Hurricanes win over Virginia and have reportedly quarantined since was evenly split on offense and defense and impacted special teams. Five Miami football players including the six freshmen who were out two weeks ago against Virginia are out against North Carolina State.

Safety Brian Balom, linebacker Corey Flagg, wide receiver Michael Redding III, receiver/return specialist Xavier Restrepo, defensive lineman Elijah Roberts and quarterback Tyler Van Dyke were out against Virginia. None of the players are starters on offense or defense.

The losses of Balom, Flagg and Restrepo had the biggest impacts. Balom has become an important member of the Miami defense as the fourth safety in the Hurricanes rotation. With senior starting safety Amari Carter having been ejected twice this season because of targeting Balom has received increased playing time.

One of the ejections came against Virginia. With Balom out, Miami had to use striker Gilbert Frierson as part of the safety rotation. Carter needs to stay on the field against North Carolina State. Balom will thankfully be returning on Friday night against the Wolfpack.

Flagg has become a key part of the rotation for Miami at LB. Flagg has four tackles this season, but his presence on the Miami defense has been bigger than his numbers. Restrepo has become the primary punt returner for Miami with junior wide receiver Mark Pope losing fumbles punts twice this season.

Restrepo has not caught a pass on offense this season but has one tackle and two punt returns for eight yards on special teams. Miami needs the depth at WR. Miami has been one of the best programs this season limiting its COVID-19 cases.

Dozens of other college football programs have had games canceled or rescheduled due to COVID cases. The Hurricanes continue to be led well by University President Julio Frenk, head coach Manny Diaz and his staff. Frenk is a global pandemic expert who was the former Health Minister of Mexico.