Miami football: Center Matt Lee vaults 40 spots in final transfer rankings

Center Matt Lee who joined the Miami football program from Central Florida in January moved up from 66th to 26th in the final 247 Sports transfer rankings. Alabama transfer guard Javion Cohen and Lee will help solidify the 2023 Miami offensive line. Lee provides Miami with a consistent player that rarely makes mistakes.

Pro Football Focus named Lee the highest-graded returning center in college football for 2023. Cohen is the highest-rated interior offensive line transfer and Lee is fourth by 247 Sports. Cohen is the 10th highest-rated transfer by 247 Sports. Miami has the sixth highest-rated transfer class nationally per 247 Sports.

Lee will be a key player for an almost entirely new Miami OL. In addition to Cohen and Lee, Miami is likely to start freshman five-star offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa. Fellow five-star OT Samson Okunlola is likely to be a key part of the rotation on the Miami OL. Lee received a 90.6 pass-blocking grade and an 80.6 run-blocking grade.

Lee was a three-year starter at UCF who earned All-American Athletic Conference in each of those years. There have been multiple accolades for Lee since he transferred to Miami. Under Head Mario Cristobal and OL coach Alex Mirabal, Lee should continue to develop for Miami in 2023. Clint Brewster profiled the transfers for 247 Sports.

"“No. 26 overall, from 66: Offensive center Matt Lee transferred from UCF to Miami and was the third-highest-ranked center in the country last season. He committed no penalties and has a high football IQ at center. Lee has outstanding leadership qualities and can direct the offensive protections at the line.There’s been much praise for Lee this spring in Miami about what Lee brings to the table, with physicality, effort, and movement skills. Lee moves up to a 91 overall grade as a player that can step in right away and be an impact player with his 36 career starts at center.”"

Lee should be one of the highest-graded Miami football players when the roster rankings from 247 Sports are released later this summer. The additions of Cohen, Lee and Mauigoa should greatly improve the Miami OL in 2023. Led by Lee, Miami should be more athletic and physical up front in 2023.

The experience of Cohen and Lee will help mentor young Miami OL like Mauigoa and Okunlola. With Cristobal and Mirabal coaching the Miami OL the future will be bright for the Hurricanes up front. Cohen and Lee will be a part of Miami setting the foundation for the future of the Hurricanes OL.