The two-deep depth chart released by the Miami Hurricanes offered few surprises on offense. All 11 starters were projected throughout training camp. Fourth-year wide receiver Mark Pope who moved to the slot being left off the two-deep was the biggest surprise. A pair of true freshmen on the two-deep depth chart as expected.
"QUARTERBACK1 D’Eriq King (5-11, 195, R-Sr.)9 Tyler Van Dyke (6-4, 220, Fr.) -OR13 Jake Garcia (6-3, 200, Fr.)"
Quarterback is the position on offense that was the least likely to see a change on the two-deep depth chart. The only mild surprise is that redshirt freshman Tyler VanDyke and true freshman Jake Garcia are listed as co-second team to starter D’Eriq King. If King has to be replaced the decision could be situational.
"RUNNING BACK23 Cam’Ron Harris (5-10, 215, Jr.)2 Donald Chaney, Jr. (5-10, 215, Fr.) -OR 4 Jaylan Knighton (5-10, 195, Fr.)"
Throughout the offseason offensive coordinator, Rhett Lashlee has spoken about his desire for one of the Miami running back to emerge as the clear starter. Miami would ideally want one of the Hurricanes’ RBs to be the primary ball carrier. Harris is the first-team RB after leading Miami with 643 rushing yards and 10 TDs in 2020.
Chaney and Knighton are likely to receive a significant amount of carries against Alabama. It is not the ideal situation against the Crimson Tide, but Lashlee is likely to utilize the hot hand versus Alabama. The Hurricanes will not get a chance to use different matchups early in the game until Central Connecticut State week four.
"WIDE RECEIVER5 Keyshawn Smith (6-0, 188, Fr.)83 Michael Redding III (6-2, 202, Fr.)WIDE RECEIVER11 Charleston Rambo (6-1, 185, R-Jr.)8 Dee Wiggins (6-3, 195, Jr.)WIDE RECEIVER3 Mike Harley (5-11, 182, Sr.)7 Xavier Restrepo (5-10, 198, Fr.)"
Harley and Rambo were expected starters throughout the offseason. Smith was impressive during spring practice and August training camp to earn the third spot on the first team. Rambo and Smith provide the Miami Hurricanes with the downfield threat they did not have in the passing game in 2020. Wiggins was a starter in 2020.
"TIGHT END85 Will Mallory (6-5, 250, Jr.)80 Elijah Arroyo (6-4, 252, Fr.)"
Mallory returns for his fourth season to replace his fellow 2018 signee Brevin Jordan at TE. After being the second TE target behind Jordan the last three seasons, Mallory is poised for a breakout 2021. Arroyo provides Miami with an athletic option at TE behind Mallory. Mallory, Harley and Rambo will be King’s primary targets.
Miami just released their depth chart for Week 1 against Alabama. pic.twitter.com/PBURhD6tLi
— InsideTheU (@247Canes) August 30, 2021
"LEFT TACKLE60 Zion Nelson (6-5, 315, So.)62 Jarrid Williams (6-6, 312, R-Sr.)"
Nelson and Williams provide Miami with one of the most experienced set of left tackles in college football. In two seasons, Nelson has started 20 games for the Miami Hurricanes. Williams has 29 career starts at Miami and Houston. With Nelson sidelined through most of training camp, Williams was moved from right to LT.
"LEFT GUARD64 Jalen Rivers (6-5, 325, Fr.)66 Ousman Traore (6-3, 325, R-So.) -OR52 Cleveland Reed, Jr. (6-3, 320, R-So.)"
Rivers earned the starting nod at LG after playing in seven games as a true freshman in 2020. Traore played in eight games with two starts in 2020 in his second Miami season. Reed played in seven games in 2020. Rivers is the second highest rated Miami offensive lineman behind right guard Navaughn Donaldson.
"CENTER65 Corey Gaynor (6-4, 305, R-Jr.)53 Jakai Clark (6-3, 300, So.)"
Gaynor enters his third season as the starting center with 24 starts in his Miami career. Prior to becoming the starting center, Gaynor played in 14 games with one start in 2017 and 2018. Clark has played in 23 career games with 22 starts at guard the last two seasons. Miami is experienced throughout its offensive line.
"RIGHT GUARD55 Navaughn Donaldson (6-6, 348, Sr.)70 Justice Oluwaseun (6-3, 300, R-Jr.)"
Donaldson is the most expericenced Miami OL. In four seasons, Donaldson has played in 40 games with 34 starts. Donaldson appears to be ready to play in 2021 after missing all but two games in 2020 because of a knee injury suffered late in the 2019 season. Oluwaseun is a transfer from UNLV who adds depth.
"RIGHT TACKLE51 DJ Scaife, Jr. (6-3, 305, Jr.)57 Kai-Leon Herbert (6-5, 300, R-Jr.)"
Scaife returns to RT after starting all 11 games at RG in 2020. In 2019, Scaife started all 13 games at RT. Scaife is the most durable OL Miami has. As a true freshman in 2018, Scaife played in all 13 games with seven starts at RT. Herbert is a veteran who returns after opting out in 2020. The 2017 signee played in 10 games in 2019.
The Miami Hurricanes offense has more experience than in has in recent seasons. Miami has 138 career starts among the returnees. That is an FBS record. Jordan was the only starter Miami lost on offense. The experience on offense led by the leadership of King should be an advantage for Miami this season.