Miami Hurricanes RB depth chart will evolve over next two weeks
The depth chart for the Miami Hurricanes at running back will continue to evolve after losing running back Don Chaney Jr. against Appalachian State and the impending return of Jaylan Knighton on September 30 against Virginia. Knighton was suspended for the first four games of the 2021 season.
Through the first three games of the 2021 season, quarterback D’Eriq King leads the Miami Hurricanes with 41 carries, first-team RB Cam’Ron Harris has 40 and Chaney had 11, Tyler Van Dyke three and wide receiver Mike Harley one. Chaney is out for the remainder of the 2021 season after tearing his ACL.
On Monday, offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee stated that freshman Cody Brown will have a bigger role in the offense to alleviate some of the carries for Harris. That should be short-lived when Knighton returns against Virginia next week. Knighton had 52 carries for 209 rushing yards and one touchdown in 2020.
Miami utilized Knighton as an explosive receiver in 2020. Knighton had 11 receptions for 135 yards and one TD. Harris led the Miami RBs in 2020 with 18 receptions and Chaney with 143 receiving yards and 13 yards per reception. Brown and Thad Franklin should get their first collegiate carries against Central Connecticut State.
The Hurricanes host the Blue Devils on Saturday. After being an explosive, up-tempo offense last season, Miami has struggled mightily this season Harris played 88 of the 90 offensive snaps Miami had on Saturday with 11 carries for 44 yards rushing and seven receptions for 22 yards. That was Harris’ second biggest 2021 workload.
Harris had 18 carries for 91 yards and one reception for four last week against Appalachian State. The most touches that Harris had in one game came once each in 2019 and 2020. The 2019 performance was the most yards Harris had with 18 carries for 136 yards and three receptions for 31 and a TD against Georgia Tech.
Next. Miami likely starting Van Dyke if King out. dark
The Miami RB rotation will evolve over the next two games. Reserves will likely receive the most playing time of the season against Central Connecticut State. Evaluating anyone against most FCS teams is fools gold. The game against Virginia could be key for the Miami offensive staff to determine carries for the rest of 2021.