Miami football leads ACC impact transfers

The Miami football program has used the transfer portal as well as anyone in the country. The Hurricanes added cornerback Tyrique Stevenson, defensive end DeAndre Johnson and wide receiver Charleston Rambo during the 2021 offseason to upgrade the roster at those positions.

CBS Sports named Rambo and Stevenson two of the six “ACC football transfers: Florida State, Miami bring in key players ready to make impact in 2021 season.” Johnson, Rambo and Stevenson will all start for Miami this season. Johnson provides Miami experience at DE and Rambo gives them a deep threat at WR.

Stevenson was brought in to be the shutdown CB Miami has been lacking in recent seasons. After being primarily used in the slot at Georgia, Stevenson transferred to Miami to become an outside CB to increase his stock with the likelihood that he will leave for the NFL Draft following the 2021 Miami football season.

Rambo was the second-best WR at Oklahoma in 2019 behind Cee Dee Lamb who is now with the Dallas Cowboys. Expected to star last season, Rambo regressed. Rambo was a deep threat in the Sooners passing game led by quarterback Jalen Hurts in 2019. Miami needs Rambo to return to his 2019 form.

"“Miami DB Tyrique Stevenson, WR Charleston RamboStevenson is an interesting case. He arrived at Georgia with a lot of fanfare — he was a four-star recruit and a top-50 player per 247Sports Composite rankings in 2019 — and was going to be a starter for the Bulldogs in 2021. But he was unhappy with how he was used during his first two seasons and had just four starts to his name.At Miami, he should be stationed permanently at his more natural position at cornerback. He’s a big corner at 6-feet and 214 pounds with the speed of someone 30 pounds lighter. His impact on the outside of Miami’s defense in 2021 could be huge if he sees more snaps.Rambo never became the No. 1 guy at Oklahoma, for one reason or another, but he was playing alongside the likes of Marquise Brown, CeeDee Lamb, Theo Wease and Marvin Mims. Drops were a problem, too, as he led the team with five last year. All in all, 2020 was a down year for Rambo, but that doesn’t mean he can’t be valuable.He’s an explosive deep threat that can give the Hurricanes the downfield passing game to complement D’Eriq King’s mobility out of the pocket. Speed kills, and Miami’s offense has it in spades now with Rambo’s addition to the offense.”"

Stevenson will definitely get the snaps this season contrary to the skepticism shown by CBS Sports. Al Blades Jr. and D.J. Ivey will compete with Stevenson for playing time. Te’Cory Couch returns as the slot CB for Miami,. With those four CBs on the Miami football roster, Manny Diaz can be creative on defense.

Rambo has to improve the five drops from last season with Oklahoma. Miami saw too many drops the last two seasons from starting WRs Mark Pope and Dee Wiggins. In the Cheez-It Bowl loss to Oklahoma State, multiple key drops in the second half hindered Miami in a 37-34 defeat. The transfers upgrade the Miami football roster.