With multiple injuries on the offensive line this spring, the Miami football staff has shuffled who is playing up front. Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reported earlier this week that D.J. Scaife has played right tackle this spring and Justice Oluwaseun and Ousman Traore have also received first-team snaps.
As expected Zion Nelson has been at left tackle and Jakai Clark at center have been on the first-team OL. Oregon transfer Logan Sagapolu worked with the first team at center early in the week. Scaife started 12 games at right tackle in 2019 and 11 at right guard in 2020 and primarily RG in 2021.
Miami is missing Jalen Rivers who began 2021 as the starting left guard and versatile OL John Campbell who missed all of last season with an injury. Traore was the first-team left guard for the entire first week of spring practice. Olusaweun is another versatile OL for the Miami football program.
The OL will continue to evolve throughout the spring and when Miami during August training camp. Rivers still projects as the starting LG. If Campbell is healthy he will compete for snaps. Third-year redshirt freshman Michael McLaughlin has played primarily with the second team and could challenge to become a starter.
If Campbell or McLaughlin becomes the first-team right tackle, it would allow the Miami football staff to move Scaife to guard where he has been more successful in his career. Center Ryan Rodriguez and guard Laurence Seymore have received some reps with the second team this spring.
Another player to watch could be Issiah Walker who transferred to Miami from Florida in the spring of 2020 and is a third-year redshirt freshman. Improving play on the line of scrimmage is a priority for Miami head coach Mario Cristobal, offensive line coach Alex Mirabal and defensive line coaches Joe Salave’a and Rod Wright.