Where Miami football is ranked in too early 2022 preseason top 25s
Coming off of a 7-5 season and the hiring of Mario Cristobal as their new head coach there is a lot of optimism for the Miami football team entering the 2022 season. After Georgia defeated Alabama for the National Championship on Monday night, Miami is mentioned in several initial 2022 Top 25s.
Miami is ranked anywhere from 13th to 25th among the media outlets who rank the Hurricanes in their preseason top 25. The Hurricanes return 14 starters in 2022 led by quarterback Tyler Van Dyke. Cristobal is bringing Bryan McClendon with him from Oregon as the wide receivers coach and co-offensive coordinator.
Whoever Miami hires to share OC with McClendon will likely be the Hurricanes play-caller on offense. The return of running back Jaylan Knighton after a breakout season will also add stability to the Miami offense in 2022. Miami received news on Monday night cornerback Tyrique Stevenson and Zion Nelson are returning.
The ACC Coastal Division should be wide open in 2022. Miami is one of four ACC Coastal programs with new coaches entering 2022. Pittsburgh has to replace Heisman Trophy finalist and ACC Player of the Year Kenny Pickett at QB. Miami will host the Panthers in 2022 at a date to be announced later this month.
Pro Football Network
"13. Miami HurricanesMario Cristobal comes to Miami with crazy expectations, but he wouldn’t have it any other way. Ranking the Canes anywhere in a Way Too Early College Football Top 25 is sure to get some attention, which is what Cristobal wants. Miami has been hurting for a great season, and they paid a lot of money to get their guy back home. He’ll get some key pieces to work with, but also gets a chance to mold the roster.Quarterback Tyler Van Dyke played strong towards the end of the season. In his final six games, he averaged 349 yards passing and threw 20 touchdown passes. He’s joined in the backfield by Jaylan Knighton, who took the starting job late in the season as well. The defense needs work, but Tyrique Stevenson has stud potential at corner.”"
The Miami football program is not likely to be ranked as high as 13th in most 2022 preseason polls. Miami will be on the edge of the rankings and most polls that have the Hurricanes ranked will have them between 20 and 25. Miami will continue to add to the roster during the 2022 offseason.
Bleacher Report
"23. Miami Hurricanes“Mario Cristobal’s arrival has renewed long-term optimism at Miami. However, he’s also inheriting a potential star QB in Tyler Van Dyke, who finished the season with 2,931 yards, 25 touchdowns and six interceptions after replacing an injured D’Eriq King.”"
Any ranking Miami receives in 2022 will primarily be about hiring Cristobal as head coach and Van Dyke returning at QB. Miami will be more than Cristobal and Van Dyke. Nelson and Stevenson returning are important for many reasons. Miami will be deep at RB and safety entering the 2022 season.
https://twitter.com/247Sports/status/1480770905869623299?s=20
"25. Miami HurricanesTotal points: 12The word: “Miami sneaks in the early top 25 under first-year coach Mario Cristobal as a potential threat in the ACC’s Coastal Division. The Hurricanes bring back Tyler Van Dyke, who was one of the league’s top quarterbacks down the stretch and seemed to play with confidence at the position.”"
The hiring of Cristobal as head coach has many outside the program praising the future of the Miami football program. Cristobal has already elevated Miami in recruiting. Three top 100 players have pledged to Miami since Cristobal was hired. That should be expected to continue throughout the 2022 offseason.
After being ranked as low as in the seventies, the 2022 Miami signing class is currently 36th. That should continue to rise. Miami will look to the transfer portal in addition to signing more players next month on National Signing Day. Cristobal will also be busy in the next few weeks finishing hiring the Miami football staff.