Miami football plays three 2021 top 10 transfer running backs

The Miami football program has three of the top 10 transfer running backs as ranked by Rivals.Com on its 2021 schedule. Miami plays Michigan State and Kenneth Walker on September 18, at North Carolina and Ty Chandler on October 16 and at Florida State and D.J. Williams on November 13.

Miami finished 76th against the run in 2020 allowing 174.45 yards per game. Over 25 percent of those yards came against North Carolina. The Tar Heels ran for 554 yards averaging an astounding 10.07 yards per carry in their 62-26 victory at Miami last season. Chandler replaces Michael Carter and Javonte Williams at RB for UNC.

Chandler transferred to North Carolina after running for 2,046 yards and 13 touchdowns and adding 58 receptions for 465 yards and three TDs in four seasons for Tennessee. Miami has to limit the Tar Heels running game after being shredded by Carter and Williams last season. Miami at UNC is the key ACC Coastal game in 2021.

Miami was scheduled to play Michigan State in 2020, but the game was canceled when the Big 10 eliminated all non-conference games. MSU finished 122nd out of 127 FBS teams in 2020 averaging 91.43 rushing yards per game. Walker transferred to MSU from Wake Forest who Miami also had a 2020 game against canceled.

"4. Kenneth Walker, Michigan StateThis is a quiet one but really a great get by the Spartans as Walker was excellent for Wake Forest and has shown the ability to compete at the Power Five level. He brings needed speed."

Rivals analyzed Walker who oddly ran for 579 yards in each of the last two seasons for the Demon Deacons. Walker improved from four rushing TDs in 2019 to 13 in 2020. Jordon Simmons led Michigan State with 219 yards rushing in 2020. The Spartans averaged 34.14 rushing yards per game and 2.68 yards per carry in 2020.

"2. Ty Chandler, North Carolina“Chandler can’t replace both Javonte Williams and Michael Carter but he’s impressed with his speed so far and will have a major impact.”"

Florida State was successful with 36 carries for 151 rushing yards in 2020. Quarterback Jordan Travis had 54 of those yards on seven carries. Williams ran for 599 yards and five TDs in two seasons with Auburn. Williams was a four-star signee out of Sebring, Florida with Auburn in the Class of 2019. Rivals profile is below.

"10. DJ Williams, Florida State “Williams was a late-bloomer in high school. He heads back to his home state and could be a home run hitter for the Seminoles after a very average run at Auburn.”"

The Miami football program was one of the earliest adopters of the transfer portal. The Hurricanes have upgraded several positions adding transfers. Running back has not been a position that a transfer has made an impact with Miami. Hurricanes’ opponents have upgraded their RB units by adding transfers in the 2021 offseason.

The Miami football team has to greatly improve against the run in 2021. The blowout loss to North Carolina was embarrassing. Carter and Williams moving on to the NFL are helpful, but Chandler is clearly thought of highly by Rivals. Limiting Chandler, Walker and Williams will be critical against UNC, MSU and FSU in 2021.