Jaylan Knighton who started six games in 2021 and was a part-time starter in 2020 and 2022 announced his entry into the transfer portal on Tuesday morning. Knighton is the second starter from the Miami football program to enter the transfer portal after defensive tackle Darrell Jackson announced on Monday.
Knighton finishes his Miami football career with 1,193 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns and 40 receptions for 497 yards and another four scores. Knighton lost carries in 2022 to Henry Parrish who was a transfer from Mississippi. In 2021 Knighton led Miami with 145 carries, 561 rushing yards, eight TDs and 11 total TDs.
After leaving Miami Knighton will have two years of eligibility remaining as a fourth-year junior. Fumbles plagued Knighton in 2022. Knighton fumbled six times in 2022 with three being recovered by Miami opponents. Knighton played in 10 games in the 2022 season. An injury kept Knighton out of the season opener.
Knighton was benched against Virginia due to fumbles versus Duke. Knighton was second to Parrish in 2022 with 78 carries and 423 rushing yards with one TD and added nine receptions for 82 yards. With Parrish out versus Georgia Tech, Knighton had his best game in 2022 with 16 carries for 118 yards and a TD.
https://twitter.com/jaylan_knighton/status/1600161305087791106?s=20&t=RcsEDppcXEJ3K1h_-LgWPw
Knighton added one reception for 25 in the 35-14 Miami win over Georgia Tech. Inconsistency plagued Knighton throughout the 2022 season. Knighton had four games of at least 60 yards rushing in 2022 and five of less than 30. Miami has an extreme depth issue at RB entering the 2023 season.
Parrish is the only scholarship RB returning for Miami in 2023 that received significant playing time in 2022. Don Chaney Jr. missed all but the game against Pittsburgh in 2022 and freshman Tre’Vonte Citizen redshirted following a season-ending knee injury during August training camp.
Expect Miami head coach Mario Cristobal, offensive coordinator Josh Gattis and RBs coach Kevin Smith to be extremely active searching the transfer portal for one or two RBs to add for 2023. Miami does not have a RB committed to their 2023 recruiting class. The Hurricanes are still recruiting a few RBs in the class of 2023.