Impact of four Miami Hurricanes offensive players missing spring practice

According to a press release from the Miami Hurricanes via the Miami Herald, four offensive players will be out for spring. Offensive lineman Issiah Walker, running backs Don Chaney Jr. and Jaylan Knighton and wide receiver Romello Brinson are all listed as out this spring. Their absences will have varying impacts.

Walker transferred to Miami from Florida in the spring of 2020 after being an early enrollee with the Gators a few months earlier. In two seasons on the Miami roster, Walker has made little impact. Walker had the potential to challenge to become part of the two-deep depth chart on the Miami roster this spring.

Chaney Jr. was expected to be out this spring after tearing his ACL in the second game of the 2021 season against Appalachian State. The reason and potential injury for Knighton being out for spring practice were not revealed by the Miami Hurricanes athletic department. Their absences leave Miami with three RBs this spring.

Sophomores Cody Brown and Thad Franklin and Mississippi transfer Henry Parrish will give Miami a mostly different look at RB. Brown had 139 rushing and three touchdowns last season as a true freshman. Franklin ran for 172 yards, two TDs and had one reception for 18 yards in 2021. Franklin was the closer late in 2021.

Franklin had nine carries for 36 yards against Virginia Tech and six for 45 and a TD against Duke in November. Most of those carries came in the fourth quarter. Listed at 6’0, 245 pounds, Franklin is a punishing back who is tough for defenses to tackle in the fourth quarter. He will compete to be the first team RB this spring.

Parrish had 816 rushing yards and five TDs and 28 receptions for 232 yards in two seasons at Mississippi. Parrish is an ideal versatile back for new offensive coordinator Josh Gattis. Franklin and Parrish complement each other well. Brown seems likely to be the third-team RB this spring.

The Miami Hurricanes football staff is excited about the future of 2022 signee TreVonte Citizen. Citizen is not an early enrollee and thus will not participate in spring practice. Depending on the health of Chaney and Knighton during August training camp, Citizen could compete for snaps this season.

Brinson had seven receptions for 90 yards and one TD as a true freshman in 2021. At 6’2, 185 pounds Brinson has the size to be a WR who can win 50/50 balls. Miami has seven healthy scholarship WRs with Brinson out this spring. Expect Jacolby George and Frank Ladson to compete for first-team snaps this spring.

Keyshawn Smith returns as one starting WR and Xavier Resptrepo is expected to be the starting slot receiver. Sophomore Breshard Smith could push Restrepo. Restrepo is a WR who will move the chains. Breshard Smith is an explosive player in the open field who can lineup in multiple places in the formation.

Miami likes the ability for Keyshawn Smith to stretch the field. Keyshawn Smith had 26 receptions for 332 yards and three TDs in 2021. Restrepo led Miami receivers with more than 10 receptions with 15.5 yards per reception. Playing mostly out of the slot, Restrepo had 24 receptions for 373 yards and two TDs in 2021.