Mario Cristobal continues living up to promise upgrading line talent
The Miami football program has continued its dedication to adding talent on the lines of scrimmage under Mario Cristobal with the addition of Oregon transfer offensive lineman Jonathan Denis on Saturday. Denis is the eighth lineman Miami has added and the fifth transfer upfront Miami has added since December.
Denis joined Logan Sagapolu who also followed Mario Cristobal and offensive line coach Alex Mirabal from Oregon to Miami. Miami also signed 2022 three-star OL Anez Cooper and Matthew McCoy in the Class of 2022. The Hurricanes have added five defensive linemen during the 2022 offseason.
Miami has added defensive end Mitchell Agude from UCLA, versatile USC defensive lineman Jacob and defensive tackle Antonio Moultrie from UAB since December. Agude was the most recent transfer to Miami nearly two weeks ago prior to the commitment from Denis this weekend. Miami signed three DL in the 2022 Class.
Miami signed edge rushers Nyjalik Kelly and Cyrus Moss in December and January and DT Ahmad Moten, the brother of former Miami DT Anthony Moten in February. Miami only lost DTs Jon Ford and Nesta Silvera and OL Navaugn Donaldson and Jarrid Williams from its 2021 roster. Miami should be improved on both lines.
Agude will compete with returning Miami DEs Jahfari Harvey and Chantz Williams for first-team. Lichtenstein should be in the rotation for Miami at DE and DT. Moultrie is projected to backup expected starting DTs Jared Harrison-Hunte and Leonard Taylor. The four new OL are expected to be long-term projects.
Miami returns three starters on the OL, but none on the DL. Center Jakai Clark, left tackle Zion Nelson and versatile OL D.J. Scaife provide Miami will experience upfront. Scaife has been the starting left and right guard and left tackle during his Miami career entering his fifth Hurricanes season.
Miami is expected to get Jalen Rivers back after missing most of the 2021 season with a knee injury. Rivers played seven games as a true freshman in 2020. Veterans John Campbell, Justice Oluwaseun and Ousman Traore are projected to compete to be the starting right guard for Miami.
Next. Miami adds second Oregon transfer OL Jonathan Denis. dark
Campbell is returning from an injury that caused him to miss all of last season. The eight new linemen for Miami added needed depth and an infusion of talent. Several Miami OL stated last week that Cristobal has been hands-on coaching them which is something they had not seen before. Miami should be improved upfront in 2022.