The Miami Hurricanes will have one of their most experienced offensive lines in recent memory in 2021. All five starters return and young players who are developing add depth. Jakai Clark has started 22 or the 23 games he has played for Miami in the last two seasons. Clark started the final 12 games in 2019 at right guard.
Clark moved to left guard in 2020 but his natural position is center. Clark is challenging to remain a starter at left guard. D.J. Scaife who was the Miami Hurricanes offensive MVP in 2019 and started all 11 games at right guard in 2019 is moving back to his more natural position of (right) tackle in 2021.
Scaife will compete with Jarrid Williams to be the starter this fall. Williams started all 10 games he played in 2020 at RT. The move by Scaife coincides with Navaughn Donaldson returning to right guard in 2021. Donaldson made 15 starts in 26 games during his first two seasons with Miami in 2017 and 2018.
Clark was signed by Miami in 2019 as the 17th best center in the class. With Corey Gaynor starting all 24 Miami games at center the last two seasons, Clark is going to face a tough challenge if he returns to his natural position. More likely is that Clark will challenge to remain at left guard in 2021.
"“Has really changed his body, is looking really good at guard right now…He might be best suited at center, so that gives you competition with him and Corey Gaynor. That makes the whole team better.”"
Lashlee spoke out the work Clark has put in during the offseason and his competition with Gaynor above on the Joe Rose Show this week as transcribed by Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. Miami has eight OL that are competing for the five starting spots this fall with six players with extensive experience.
Zion Nelson at left tackle, Clark or Jalen Rivers at LG, Gaynor at center, Donaldson at RG and Williams or Scaife at RT give Miami a solid foundation to build on upfront in 2021. Miami has a nearly unprecedented amount players with over 100 starts during their collegiate careers returning in 2021. Clark will be a key part of the OL in 2021.