CFB analyst names Miami football transfer portal winner

Robbie Weinstein of 247 Sports named Miami in his article “College football transfer portal winners and losers from the spring window: Auburn and Notre Dame lead the way.” The Miami football program is one of four winners named by Weinstein. Auburn, Louisville and USC are the other winners.

Weinstein named Michigan State, Mississippi, Houston and North Texas as transfer portal losers. Miami has the 15th-ranked transfer portal class nationally per the 247 Sports rankings. Guard Javion Cohen and middle linebacker Francisco Mauigoa who are projected starters are the highest-ranked 2023 Miami transfers.

Center Matt Lee is also projected to be a starter for Miami in 2023. Miami has added 11 transfers to its 2023 roster. The Hurricanes are expected to add more from the spring window that closed on April 30. Cornerbacks Jaden Davis and Jaidas Richard and running back Ajay Allen transferred to Miami from the spring window.

The Miami football team has improved the depth and talent on the roster with its transfer additions. Davis and Richard join Davonte Brown and Terry Roberts as transfers at CB. Te’Cory Couch was the only returning CB for Miami with significant collegiate experience.

"WINNER: MIAMI HURRICANESKey additions: CB Jaden Davis (Oklahoma), CB Jadais Richard (Vanderbilt), RB Ajay Allen (Nebraska).“Miami did not lose any players integral to the plan that coach Mario Cristobal in place, and the Hurricanes shored up a major weakness as well. Although the struggles of quarterback Tyler Van Dyke took center stage last fall, one of the Canes’ biggest shortcomings came on the other side of the ball: pass defense.Last season, Miami ranked dead last in the ACC and a ghastly 121st among FBS teams with 8.3 yards per pass attempt allowed. Davis and Richard should both slot in as immediate contributors who started a large handful of games in 2022 for their respective teams at the Power Five level.Allen, meanwhile, projects as a rotational running back and put up good efficiency numbers at Nebraska. There is no doubt that Miami got better this spring.”"

In addition to adding Brown, Davis, Richard and Roberts, Miami hired Lance Guidry as the new defensive coordinator. Expect all of the new Miami CBs to play significant roles with Couch in the Hurricanes’ pass defense. The return of starting safeties Kamren Kinchens and James Williams provides Guidry and secondary coach Jahmile Addae a solid foundation for 2023.

Allen provides critical depth to a Miami RB unit that returns 2022 leading rusher Henry Parrish. The remainder of the RBs on the 2023 Miami roster have little to no experience. Don Chaney Jr. missed most of the 2023 season with a knee injury and redshirt freshman Tre’Vonte Citizen missed his entire freshman campaign.

Allen joins 2023 Mark Fletcher and Chris Johnson as the new RBs on the 2023 Miami football roster. The key as Weinstein pointed out of Miami didn’t lose any key players integral to the plan Cristobal has in place. Defensive tackle Darrell Jackson who transferred to Florida State is the only 2022 starter Miami lost to the transfer portal.

Miami is still looking for an outside wide receiver. The Hurricanes have added DTs Branson Deen and Thomas Gore to the 2023 roster. Cristobal identified DT and an outside WR as the key positions Miami needed to improve through the 2023 transfer portal. Time is getting short for Miami to add a WR that would fit.