Miami Hurricanes OC Josh Gattis taking slow path creating offensive identity

Offensive coordinator Josh Gattis said that the Miami Hurricanes football team is taking its time creating their offensive identity this spring. The Miami offensive players are getting to know Gattis’ system and he is getting to know what the players do best. Miami will evolve offensively this spring into the offseason.

By the time Miami begins training camp in August, the Hurricanes offense could look completely different. The biggest key will be how well quarterback Tyler Van Dyke connects with Gattis and his position coach Frank Ponce. Van Dyke enters his first spring as the Miami starting QB. Redshirt freshman Jake Garcia is the main backup.

Freshman Jacurri Brown is expected to push Garcia. Miami also has fourth-year sophomore Peyton Matocha. Expect the offense to have a more physical identity in 2022 with greater toughness and better balance. Miami was extremely reliant on the pass in 2022. That is likely to change with Gattis.

Miami needs improved run blocking in 2022. The Hurricanes will be deeper at running back in 2022. Jaylan Knighton had the majority of the carries for Miami after Don Chaney Jr. and Cam’Ron Harris were lost for the season. Chaney returns in 2022 with Cody Brown and Thad Franklin and at RB. The Miami Herald quoted Gattis.

"“We’re taking a little bit slower path as far as creating the identity of our offense, and we’re going to build it around what our players do best, so this spring’s going to give us a good evaluation to figure out what they do best.We’re installing the offense this spring, but what we look like in the fall could be completely different once we get through seven, eight practices and really grasp what our players do best.  It’s a completely new offense for everyone…learning-wise, concept-wise, what we’re asking them to do, even for the QB.’’"

Miami also added Henry Parrish as a transfer from Mississippi and signed four-star RB TreVonte’ Citizen. Chaney and Knighton are both out for the spring. Expect Franklin and Parrish to compete for first-team reps. Franklin was strong at the end of last season finishing 2021 with 172 yards rushing

Parrish had 189 touches for 1,048 yards in two years at Mississippi. Miami also gains a good receiver out of the backfield. Parrish had 21 receptions for 173 yards in 2021. The Miami Hurricanes depth at RB when training camp begins in August will provide Gattis with multiple options in the backfield.

Spring practice will provide Gattis the opportunity to see RBs who have not had the opportunity to be the lead RB in a Miami Hurricanes uniform. Brown, Franklin and Parrish will share the snaps at RB this spring with Chaney and Knighton out and Citizen not an early enrollee. August training camp will be a fierce competition.