Miami football likely adding Oregon transfer OL Jonathan Dennis

CaneSport reported on Monday morning that the Miami football program is expected to add Oregon transfer offensive lineman Jonathan Dennis. Dennis signed with the Ducks in 2020 under current Miami head coach Mario Cristobal and OL coach Alex Mirabal. The South Dade alum would be returning to South Florida.

Dennis was the 317th ranked player, 14th guard and 53rd in Florida in the Class of 2020. The Miami football program previously added Logan Sagapolu as a transfer OL from Oregon this offseason. Dennis would be the eighth transfer Cristobal and the Miami football program have added during the 2022 offseason.

Dennis would be the fourth South Dade alum on the Miami roster. Cornerback D.J. Ivey, wide receiver Frank Ladson who transferred from Clemson during this offseason and safety Keshawn Washington also are South Dade graduates. Dennis was committed to Miami for nearly three months in July 2018.

Dennis and Sagapolu did not have any snaps in two seasons with Oregon, largely due to injuries. Dennis and Sagapolu both have four years of eligibility remaining due to the covid year. Before getting injured in 2021 training camp, Dennis was expected to contend for a spot in the rotation on the Oregon OL.

Dennis split time at center and guard at Oregon. The Ducks limited Dennis as a partial participant during 2022 spring practice. Dennis was seen participating in spring practice as recently as Thursday with Oregon before announcing his decision to transfer. Miami would gain long-term OL depth with Dennis.

Jalen Rivers who is the projected left guard for Miami in 2022 is out this spring recovering from knee surgery. Right guard will likely continue to be a competition throughout training camp in August. Justice Oluwaseun has been the first-team RG during spring practice with D.J. Scaife moving to right tackle.

With veteran OL John Campbell also out this spring with an injury, the depth chart on the offensive line of scrimmage will continue to evolve for Miami. Cristobal and Mirabal have rotated their OL this spring to create more versatility. Dennis would add depth and the ability to play center and guard.