Miami Hurricanes starting to develop offensive linemen
The Miami Hurricanes returning offensive lineman have been able to develop together. Miami returns all of their OL for the 2021 season. The lack of development on the OL has hindered recent Miami teams. Miami has not had an offensive line picked in the first round since Ereck Flowers went ninth overall in 2015.
Flowers who was selected by the New York Giants was also the last Miami offensive tackle drafted. After a polarizing three-plus season with New York, Flowers was cut during the 2018 season. Flowers has since become a journeyman NFL Player. Since moved to guard Flowers has played for Washington and the Dolphins.
Guard Danny Isidora was the last Miami OL to be drafted. Isidora was selected in the fifth round, 180th overall by the Minnesota Vikings. Isidora spent the 2017 and 2018 seasons in Minnesota, 2019 with the Dolphins and the 2020 season on and off the Kansas City Chiefs practice squad.
During spring practice, Miami Hurricanes head coach Manny Diaz said that the OL is the most experience he has seen during his coaching career. An injury to returning starting left guard Jakai Clark could keep him out of August training camp and potentially through the season opener against Alabama.
| Player | Class | Pos | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jarrid Williams | SR | OL | |
| Gavin Adams | FR | OL | |
| John Campbell Jr. | SO | OL | |
| Jakai Clark | SO | OL | |
| Navaughn Donaldson | SR | OL | |
| Adam Elgammal | FR | OL | |
| Corey Gaynor | JR | OL | |
| Jared Griffith | SO | OL | |
| Kai-Leon Herbert | JR | OL | |
| Zalon’Tae Hillery | JR | OL | |
| Zion Nelson | SO | OL | |
| Cleveland Reed Jr. | SO | OL | |
| Jalen Rivers | FR | OL | |
| DJ Scaife Jr. | JR | OL | |
| Michael Scibelli | SO | OL | |
| Ousman Traore | SO | OL | |
| Issiah Walker Jr. | FR | OL | |
| Chris Washington | FR | OL | |
| Player | Class | Pos | Summary |
Provided by CFB at Sports Reference: View Original Table
Generated 4/26/2021.
If Clark is not ready for the Crimson Tide the expectation is that second-year freshman Jalen Rivers could start in his place. Rivers would be the only player on the Miami Hurricanes OL without a career start. The remaining starters on the Miami OL are entering at least their third year as starters.
Left tackle Zion Nelson is entering his third year starting with 23 games and 20 starts. Center Corey Gaynor has 38 games with 25 starts, John Campbell has 18 and six, right guard Navaughn Donaldson 38 and 36 and D.J. Scaife 37 and 30. Right tackle Jarrid Williams has played in 38 career games with 29 starts.
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Campbell and Scaife provide Miami with experience and versatility on the OL. Campbell has started at left guard and both tackle spots in his Miami career. Scaife has started at RG and RT.. If Miami chooses not to start Rivers, Scaife is the more likely starter than Campbell at left guard. The Miami OL needs to continue to develop in 2021.