Miami Hurricanes snaps will be led by veterans in 2022

The Miami Hurricanes will be led by a mostly veteran team in 2022. With few exceptions, true freshmen are not likely to play a significant role this season. Linebacker Wesley Bissainthe and tight end Jaleel Skinner are the two true freshmen most likely to receive significant playing time in 2022.

Running back Tre’Vonte Citizen was expected to compete for a role in the backfield but suffered what was termed by head coach Mario Cristobal as a significant injury during the scrimmage last Saturday. The status of Citizen’s injury has not been updated since Cristobal reported it on Monday.

The infusion of 11 transfers to the Miami roster has significantly increased the depth, experience and talent for 2022. Sophomore defensive tackle Darrell Jackson is the only one of the transfers to Miami for 2022 with less than two years of collegiate experience. Jackson is one of five transfer defensive linemen for Miami in 2022.

Last season safeties Kamren Kinchens, Avantae Williams and James Williams all played significant roles as Miami Hurricanes freshmen. Kinchens and James Williams were true freshmen. Avantae Williams earned his first playing time in college after missing the entire 2020 season with an undisclosed medical issue.

In addition to the injury to Citizen, true freshman wide receiver Isaiah Horton was injured in the scrimmage last Saturday. Horton was initially expected to be out for three to four days but has not practiced this week. Third-year sophomore RB Don Chaney Jr. also received an unspecified injury on Friday.

There is no timetable on how long Chaney will be out. The injuries to Chaney and Citizen leave Miami with sophomore Thad Franklin, third-year sophomore Jaylan Knighton and Mississippi junior transfer Henry Parrish at RB. Miami played with since transferred Cody Brown, Franklin and Knighton at RB for most of 2021.

Bissianthe is competing for playing time at LB. Corey Flagg and Waynmon Steed who led Miami in tackles in 2021 return this season. UCLA transfer Caleb Johnson is projected to start at middle LB for Miami. Sophomore Chase Smith is another LB to watch for Miami. Bissainthe is the most talented LB on the Miami roster.

Skinner is part of a TE unit that could be the deepest on the Miami Hurricanes roster. Fifth-year senior Will Mallory and sophomore Elijah Arroyo return to lead the Miami depth chart at TE. With Arroyo, Mallory and Skinner all gifted receivers, new offensive coordinator Josh Gattis could play all three at the same time.

As the season progresses some freshmen could receive more playing time through potential attrition and injuries. As Miami begins the season, Bissainthe and Skinner are the two most likely freshmen to get on the field in 2022. The majority of Miami freshmen should receive playing time on special teams in 2022.