Sr. Bowl Exec Dir states Miami football potentially best 2023 OL group

In a tweet posted on Wednesday morning Senior Bowl Executive Director Jim Nagy stated that the Miami football team “will undoubtedly be one of most improved—and potentially best—OL groups in CFB this season.” Nagy singled out Center Matt Lee, guards Javion Cohen and Jalen Rivers and tackle Zion Nelson.

Miami will have nearly an entirely new offensive line in 2023. Nelson and Rivers are returning from injuries that cost them almost the entire 2022 season. Lee is a transfer from Central Florida and Cohen left Alabama to come to Miami. Freshman Francis Mauigoa is expected to be the starting right tackle if Nelson is healthy.

Rivers played significant snaps at RT during spring football. The fact that Highsmith raves about Lee speaks volumes about the talent he has. Highsmith was an NFL executive and scout before being hired by the Miami football program to work with Mario Cristobal. Cohen excelled in pass protection during the 2022 season.

Nagy provided evaluations of the Miami OL in the tweet he posted on Wednesday. Former Miami defensive back Tyrique Stevenson and tight end Will Mallory represented the Miami football program in the 2023 Senior Bowl. Miami could have a big contingent of players at the 2024 Senior Bowl next January in Mobile, Alabama.

"“Based off new additions and players returning from injury, @CanesFootball will undoubtedly be one of most improved—and potentially best—OL groups in CFB this season, UCF transfer Matt Lee, who our guy Alonzo Highsmith raves about, is PFF’s highest-graded returning center and has intangibles to make everyone around him better.@matt_lee80 is a dependable technician who can grip and anchor. Alabama transfer OG Javion Cohen is big-time portal get for HC Mario Cristobal & respected assistant @CoachMirabal. @JavionCohen is an advanced pass protector and he made a significant jump as junior last year.One of most talented under-radar guys in 2024 OL draft class is potential five-position prospect Jalen Rivers, who has played extensively at OG, practiced at OC, and stood out at LT during our visit to campus this past spring. Injuries cost @JalenRivers01 significant time over past couple years but he’s legit NFL dude if he can stay healthy.Senior Bowl is also pulling for Zion Nelson to bounce back and get on field this season. #BestoftheBest #TheDraftStartsInMOBILE”"

Cristobal and OL coach Alex Mirabal are regarded among the best coaches in the country developing OL. Miami will almost definitely start an entirely new OL in the 2023 season opener versus Miami (Ohio) than they did in the 2022 season finale versus Pittsburgh. Only two of the starting OL versus Pittsburgh return in 2023.

Anez Cooper started five games and played 352 snaps as a true freshman in 2022 at guard. Laurence Seymore is entering his redshirt sophomore season after playing as a part-time starter in 2022. Cooper and Seymore are the only returning starters on the OL from the Pittsburgh game last season.

Cristobal has always made the line of scrimmage a priority during his coaching career. With a significantly improved OL in 2023, the Miami offense should increase production this fall. Miami quarterback Tyler Van Dyke was pressured far too often in 2022. That caused a shoulder injury that hindered his season.

The points Nagy made about Rivers are a testament to Cristobal and Mirabal. Miami cross-trains all of its OL. The ability of the Miami OL to learn all five positions and the potential to play anywhere are critical to Cristobal and Mirabal. Miami has not had an OL drafted since Danny Isidor went in the fifth round to Minnesota in 2017.