The Miami football program lost 19 transfers and added seven as the portal closed at midnight eastern time on Thursday. Transfers cannot enter the portal again until the next window opens from May 1-15. Players who entered the transfer portal by midnight on Thursday can decide their next destinations at any time.
Miami was particularly hit hard in the secondary where the Hurricanes lost eight defensive backs after the 2022 season. Cornerback Davonte Brown from Central Florida is the only transfer DB that Miami has added to its 2023 roster. Miami also added two offensive linemen, two defensive linemen, a linebacker and a tight end.
The Hurricanes signed three DBs in the 2023 class to help alleviate the lack of depth in the secondary. Expect Miami to continue seeking players that are already in the transfer portal throughout the spring and summer. Miami has needs at backup quarterback, defensive line and outside wide receiver.
If a good fit is available at other positions expect Miami to add other transfers. Last year nine of the Miami transfers committed to the Hurricanes after the beginning of the spring semester. Patience will be critical as Mario Cristobal prefers a deliberate approach to almost everything he does.
Miami's updated transfer portal departures list. All snap counts, starts based off 2022 season. pic.twitter.com/qq0GeWW3YA
— Manny Navarro (@Manny_Navarro) January 17, 2023
Miami football transfer portal additions
- Center Matt Lee (Central Florida)
- Cornerback Davante Brown (Central Florida)
- Defensive tackles Branson Deen (Purdue) and Thomas Gore (Georgia State)
- Interior offensive lineman Javion Cohen (Alabama)
- Linebackers Francisco Mauigoa (Washington State) and Rocky Shelton (Duke-walk-on)
- Tight end Cam McCormick (Oregon)
The addition of Lee preceded reports that two-year starting center, Jakai Clark entered the transfer portal. On Wednesday Miami Herald Hurricanes’ football beat reporter Susan Miller Degnan conveyed that Clark will not officially enter the transfer portal after graduating this spring.
Miami football official transfer portal departures
- Cornerbacks Isaiah Dunson (Baylor) and Khamauri Rogers (Mississippi State)
- Defensive back Gil Frierson (Louisville)
- Defensive tackles Allan Haye (Temple), Darrell Jackson (Florida State) and Jordan Miller (SMU)
- Defensive lineman Elijah Roberts (SMU)
- Linebacker Avery Huff (FIU)
- Offensive tackle John Campbell Jr. (Tennessee)
- Quarterback Jake Garcia (TBD)
- Running back Thaddius Franklin (Louisiana-Monroe) and Jaylan Knighton (SMU)
- Safeties Al Blades Jr. (Duke), Jalen Harrell (UMass) Keshawn Washington (TBD) and Avantae Williams (Maryland)
- Wide Receivers Romello Brinson (SMU) and Keyshawn Smith (SMU)
Most of the entrants into the transfer portal were expected. Former Miami offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee who is now the head coach at SMU is building a pipeline from Coral Gables to Dallas. Three former Miami offensive players and two on defensive transferred to SMU. Two Miami transfers don’t have a new destination.
In addition to adding more transfers throughout the spring and summer, expect Miami to lose more transfers this spring. After spring practice ends before the May transfer window several players will enter the portal. Depth charts will have more clarity after spring practice allowing players who want to seek better opportunities.