Miami football key weekend hosting transfers

This is a key weekend for the Miami football program hosting potential transfers. The amount of transfers and who is visiting Miami this weekend varies depending on the media outlet. Miami Head Coach Mario Cristobal stated in December defensive tackle and wide receiver are the priority in the transfer portal.

Miami has added transfer DTs Branson Deen from Purdue and Thomas Gore from Georgia State. Deen and Gore are more adept at rushing the passer than stopping the run. Adding a run-stuffing defensive tackle is still a priority for Miami in the transfer portal. Miami has not added any transfer WRs to its 2023 roster.

According to Matt Shodell of CaneSport “DL Tywone Malone (Mississippi transfer visiting Thursday-Friday), OL Amaury Wiggins (Coffeyville Kan. C.C.), LB Larry Nixon III (North Texas transfer) and DT Keivie Rose (Louisiana Tech transfer)” are all expected to visit Coral Gables this weekend.

Other outlets have reported that Nebraska running back Ajay Allen, junior college WR Shamar Kirk who Shodell profiled and Vanderbilt defensive back Jadais Richard are also visiting the Miami football program this weekend. Transfers are taking visits and making decisions after the portal closed on April 30.

Malone in 2021 and Richard in 2022 were four-star signees in their classes. In two seasons at Mississippi, Malone had 13 tackles, two tackles for loss, two sacks and two pass breakups. Richard had six tackles, one TFL, one sack and two pass breakups as a true freshman for Vanderbilt in 2022.

Allen has four years of eligibility remaining following suffering a season-ending injury after four games as a true freshman in 2022. With only four games played last season, Allen retained his complete eligibility. Allen ran for 190 yards on 5.8 yards per carry with two touchdowns for Nebraska in 2022.

Nixon

improved each season at North Texas. In 2022, Nixon had 105 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, one sack and five quarterback hits. The LB depth on the Miami football roster is extremely young with three players at the position signed in 2023. Nixon could challenge returning starter Wesley Bissainthe for snaps at LB in 2023.

Wiggins is a 6’4, 310 interior offensive lineman from Coffeyville Community College in Kansas. Rose has been a consistent player all three seasons at Louisiana Tech with 73 tackles, 9.5 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, two pass breakups and two forced fumbles in three years with the Bulldogs. Malone or Rose would fill a big need.

Miami is likely to add at least two more transfers to its 2023 roster. The Hurricanes need to add depth at DT and RB. Miami’s receivers showed improvement during spring practice, but the Hurricanes still need a playmaker at the position. Cristobal and his staff have been cautious in the portal adding quality over quantity.