Miami football was prepared for Corey Gaynor transfer

The news on Thursday that center Corey Gaynor has entered the transfer portal was not surprising. Gaynor started 28 games during his Miami career before head coach Manny Diaz announced he was out for the season on October 11. Miami was prepared to be without Ganoy with the emergence of Jakai Clark at center.

Gaynor played 38 games during his Miami career. Entering the 2021 season, Gaynor started every game at center, 24 straight the previous two seasons. Gaynor played his last game for Miami in the loss to Michigan State in September. The start against the Spartans was the third straight for Gaynor to begin the 2021 season.

Clark succeeded Gaynor at center after starting 22 of the 23 games he played at guard in 2019 and 2020. When he signed in 2019, Clark was the 1,504th ranked player and 17th ranked center. Miami added depth in the Class of 2021 with Ryan Rodriguez who was the 417th ranked player and 27th interior offensive lineman.

Gaynor was the 1,201st ranked player, 17th ranked center and 169th signee in the Class of 2017. Miami offensive line coach Garin Justice frequently shuffled the lineup early in the season before finding a quintet he settled on for the remainder of the season. Miami also lost left guard Jalen Rivers with a season-ending injury.

Rivers was also sidelined in September. Clark began the season as the backup center to Gaynor after starting most of the last two seasons. Navaughn Donaldson and D.J. Scaife were the starters for Miami at guard most of the season. Zion Nelson and Jarrid Williams started the majority of 2021 at tackle.

Rivers is expected to make a full recovery for Miami and compete to return as a starter in 2022. Scaife has one more season of eligibility remaining. Miami also has 2021 four-star guard Laurance Seymore who will figure in the future of the Miami offensive line. Gaynor has one season of eligibility remaining.