Which 2022 Miami football signees will play most as freshmen?

The 2022 Miami football signing class currently ranks 49th nationally with nine signees. Miami is far from finished finalizing the 2022 class. Six of the nine signees are on defense. Expect the 2022 defensive signees to make a bigger impact on defense. Miami returns most of its offense in 2022.

Four-star quarterback Jacurri Brown will be likely be stuck behind returning starting Tyler Van Dyke and backup Jake Garcia. Tight end Jaleel Skinner is expected to be behind returning starter and fifth-year senior Will Mallory and sophomore to be Elijah Arroyo. Four-star wide receiver Isaiah Horton faces tough competition.

There will be more opportunities for 2022 signees on defense. Miami loses defensive ends Deandre Johnson and Zach McCloud. Four-star DE Nyjalik Kelly didn’t commit to Miami until he signed a National Letter of Intent on Early National Signing Day. Kelly’s signing is credited to new head coach Mario Cristobal.

Jahfari Harvey and Chantz Williams are the only two returning DEs Miami will have with experience in 2022. Kelly will have a chance to compete with 2021 signees Thomas Davis and  Jabari Ishmael and Harvey and Williams to earn snaps at DE in 2022. Miami added USC transfer DL Jacob Lichtenstein. Elijah Roberts is a swing DL.

Linebacker has been a cause of concern for the Miami football program the last two years. Since losing four-year starting LBs Michael Pinckney and Shaq Quarterman after the 2020 season Miami has not received consistent play at LB. Four-star 2022 signee Wesley Bissainthe should challenge to become a starter in 2022.

Middle LB Corey Flagg led Miami with 60 tackles in 2021 and added seven tackles for loss, three sacks and one interception. Kenotra Smith and Waynmon Steed shared weakside LB in 2021. Steed was second on Miami with 55 tackles, 3.5 TFLs and one sack. Smith had 38 tackles, five TFLs and three sacks.

Cornerback could be in transition for Miami in 2022. All of the Hurricanes CBs have eligibility remaining and some could decide to move on after this season. Tyrique Stevenson who has been the best CB for Miami in 2021 is deciding if he should enter the 2022 NFL Draft or return to Miami. Several other Miami CBs could transfer.

Al Blades Jr. missed this season. Te’Cory Couch and D.J. Ivey lost significantly playing time in 2021. There has been no indication either is considering entering the transfer portal, but both could consider that after falling behind Marcus Clarke on the depth chart this season. The Miami football program is in transition.

Chris Graves and Khamuari Rogers, 2022 signees could benefit from any CBs transferring. Miami also signed three-star CB Jaden Harris in the Class of 2022. Harris is more likely to be a project and earn playing time later in his career. Bissainthe, Graves, Kelly and Rogers could all have impacts for Miami as freshmen.