Transfer OL Matt Lee named Miami football perfect fit
Center Matthew Lee who announced his transfer to the Miami football program this week was named by Brendan Sonnone of 247 Sports as a “College Football Transfer Portal: 10 perfect fits in 2023.” Lee is projected as the Miami starting center even with the return of Jakai Clark who was the primary starter the last two years.
Lee is the second-highest-ranked 2023 transfer interior offensive lineman by On3. Clark could potentially move to guard in 2023. Miami also added Alabama transfer Javion Cohen who is the highest-ranked transfer IOL by 247 Sports. Jalen Rivers who began the 2021 and 2022 seasons as a starter returns for Miami.
Lee was a three-year starter for UCF who earned all-American Athletic Conference as a freshman in 2020 and a sophomore in 2021. The additions of Cohen and Lee significantly help Miami head coach Mario Cristobal and position coach Alex Cristobal upgrade the depth and talent on the Hurricanes’ OL in 2023.
The decision by Lee to transfer to Miami should be a step up in competition from the AAC to the ACC. Lee chose the Miami football program after visiting Coral Gables last weekend. Miami has added six transfers for 2023 including Lee. The line of scrimmage has been the primary focus for Miami through the transfer portal.
"IOL MATTHEW LEE (UCF) TO MIAMI“Matthew Lee has been one of the top centers at the G5 level the last couple of seasons, and he’ll be a plug-and-play starter for a Miami team that struggled to handle itself consistently in the trenches this past season.Mario Cristobal wants a power-run scheme. Lee gets the Hurricanes one step closer towards implementing that philosophy as he’s an adept run blocker (80.6 PFF Run Block Grade in 2022) in addition to being one of the top pass protectors in the country this past season.”"
In addition to Cohen and Lee, Miami added transfer DTs Thomas Gore from Georgia State and Branson Deen from Purdue, linebacker Francisco Mauigoa from Washington State and cornerback Davante Brown from UCF. Miami is not finished adding transfers. An emphasis on WR is expected in the future.
Next. Miami connection to Georgia transfer CB Jaheim Singletary. dark
The anticipated improvement of the OL should help Miami increase its success running in 2023. Miami was 95th averaging 128.33 rushing yards per game and 3.74 yards per carry. The skill of Lee as a run blocker should help the Miami offense improve in 2022. Lee provides Miami with an experienced and smart OL for 2023.