Miami football signee Mark Fletcher stock up after All-American Bowl

Four-star running back Mark Fletcher who signed with the Miami football program in the class of 2023 improved his stock following his performance in the All-American Game on Saturday per Charles Power of On3. Fletcher showed versatility with an 81-yard touchdown reception where he beat the linebacker.

Fletcher is the 254th player, 16th RB and 49th prospect in Florida in the Class of 2023 per the On3 consensus rankings. At 6’1, 225 pounds, Fletcher is expected to provide the Miami football team with a tough inside runner they have lacked recently. Fletcher showed he is more than a battering ram in the All-American Bowl.

Miami also signed speedy RB Chris Johnson in the 2023 Class. Fletcher and Johnson have already been dubbed thunder and lightning. Henry Parrish who was the primary starter in 2022 is the only returnee at RB for Miami who received significant playing time in 2022. Thad Franklin and Jaylan Knighton both transferred.

Fletcher and Johnson will compete for playing time in 2023 with Parrish, Tre’Vonte Citizen and Don Chaney who is returning from an injury. Citizen missed his entire true freshman season in 2022 with a torn ACL suffered in August training camp. Chaney missed most of the last two seasons with hip and knee injuries.

"RB Mark Fletcher – Miami“Mark Fletcher made his presence felt with several flashes throughout the week of practice. He has a readymade build at around 6-foot-1, 225 pounds and showed some suddenness and twitch as a ball carrier.At times during the week and in Saturday’s game, Fletcher showed the ability to make defenders miss in tight quarters, in addition to his power as a runner between the tackles. We were impressed by his ball skills as a pass catcher during practice. This carried over to the game, as he caught a pass downfield for a long score.Over the course of the week, Fletcher showed he has some all-purpose ability and encouraging movement skills as a bigger back. – Cody Bellaire (On3)"

Fletcher finished his high school career with 4,443 rushing yards, 23 100-yard games and 49 TDs with 46 receptions for 629 yards and another four TDs. The competition behind Parrish should be wide open this spring and in August training camp. The Miami football team has a lot of depth and talent at RB but is highly inexperienced.

If Fletcher can continue to show his versatility at RB, he will be difficult to keep off the field. The key for Fletcher to earn playing time as a true freshman will be his ability as a blocker. If everyone is healthy, head coach Mario Cristobal, offensive coordinator Josh Gattis and RBs coach Kevin Smith have multiple options.