Miami football top 10 who could shoot up 2022 CFB rankings
The Miami Hurricanes are seventh in the 247 Sports “College football: 10 programs could shoot up Top 25 rankings in 2022, ” Miami returns 14 starters in 2022. Mario Cristobal being hired as head coach has generated a lot of excitement. National experts expect the Miami football program to improve recruiting under Cristobal.
The secondary reason there is some excitement surrounding the Miami football program is the return of quarterback Tyler Van Dyke. Van Dyke completed 62.3 percent of his passes in 2021 for 2,931 yards, 25 touchdowns and six interceptions in a breakout season. In a year of transfer QBs, Miami is stable at the position.
Running back Jaylan Knighton, tight end Will Mallory and wide receivers Xavier Restrepo and Keyshawn Smith are other key offensive contributors who return in 2022. Entering his fifth season, Mallory will be one of the leaders for Miami on offense. Miami has yet to hire a new offensive coordinator for 2022.
Miami returns three freshmen standouts on defense. Defensive tackle Leonard Taylor and safeties Kamren Kinchens and James Williams will be a major part of the Miami defense in 2022 and into 2023. Entering his fourth collegiate season, Tyrique Stevenson is the best Miami CB and will be a leader on defense.
"7. MIAMI HURRICANESMario Cristobal makes his return to the Miami program, this time as the head coach. He has already hit the ground running in recruiting, and that should only ramp up as the 2023 cycle intensifies.As for next season, The Hurricanes have plenty of young talent to work with on the roster, not the least of which is quarterback Tyler Van Dyke. He put up some very impressive numbers as a freshman.From CBS Sports’ Dennis Dodd: “Mario Cristobal took the job because he believes he can do something no coach has done at UM since Butch Davis — put a fence around South Florida and return swagger back to The U.”"
Cristobal has already made an impact in recruiting. Three Miami top 100 signees were not considering the Hurricanes before Cristobal was hired in December. Miami currently has the 38th ranked Class. That number is expected to rise with National Signing Day next week. Miami should improve recruiting with Cristobal.
Miami is one of three ACC teams that 247 Sports projects could shoot up Top 25 rankings in 2022. North Carolina State is ninth. Miami ACC Coastal Division rival and 2021 conference champion Pittsburgh is third. The Panthers lost ACC Player of the Year, QB Kenny Pickett but added USC transfer Kedon Slovis.
Where Miami is ranked in too early preseason top 25. dark. Next
Van Dyke had his most productive game at Pittsburgh in 2021. The second-year freshman QB blitzed the Panthers by completing 32 of 42 passes for 426 yards, three TDs and one interception. Williams sealed the victory late with a key interception. The Miami football team has won the last four games against Pittsburgh.