Miami football depth takes a hit with six out for opener, three for season

The Miami football program will be without freshman defensive end Thomas Davis, offensive lineman John Campbell and safety Brian Balom for the season according to head coach Manny Diaz in a press conference on Monday. Linebacker Sam Brooks with a toe injury and tight end Dominic Mammarelli are out versus Alabama.

Safety Avantae Williams who was reinstated officially to the Miami football program on Sunday night is suspended for the first six games of the 2021 season. Williams was initially dismissed from the Miami football program in late August following the felony domestic violence charges.

When the charges were dropped by Miami-Dade County, Williams was reinstated. Williams will have to reach benchmarks in education, mentorship and personal development. Some of Miami’s depth will be affected by the half dozen absences. Miami’s depth safety and should be able to overcome Balom and Williams’ absence.

Campbell is out for the year with a knee injury. Balom and Davis have undisclosed injuries that have ended their seasons. Mammerelli’s keeping him out on Saturday has not been disclosed. Diaz said that Brooks needs a little more time and they have a shot of him returning in the upcoming weeks, same with Mammarelli.

Balom had a solid freshman season in 2020 with 10 tackles as the fourth safety in the Miami rotation. With 2021 signees Kamren Kinchens and James Williams on the roster, the competition behind starters Bubba Bolden and Gurvan Hall was going to be fierce. Hopefully, Balom will be ready for 2022 Spring Practice.

Although the injury to Davis was not disclosed, with him making the switch from LB in high school to DE with Miami it was going to be difficult for him to earn playing time. Jahfari Harvey and Zach McCloud were listed as the starters on Monday with Deandre Johnson and Chantz Williams as the second team DEs.

Campbell has played 22 games with six starts in his three seasons with the Miami football team. One of the most versatile OL Miami has, Campbell has made starts at both tackles and left guard. Miami has the most experienced OL in the history of college football returning, but the loss of Campbell is a blow to the Hurricanes depth.

Brooks has been a productive player for Miami in his two seasons who has struggled with injuries. After 18 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss as a true freshman in 2019, Brooks had 37 tackles, 1.5 TFLs, one sack and two pass breakups in 2020. Miami is thin at LB. Brooks’ eventual return will help the Hurricanes depth at LB.

Mammarelli played 10 games primarily on special teams as a true freshman in 2020 with one fumble recovery. Primarily known as a blocker, Mammarelli was the 15th ranked TE when he signed with Miami in the Class of 2020. Will Mallory, freshman Elijah Arroyo and Larry Hodges will be the TEs for Miami against Alabama.