Expectations from 3 Miami football ACC Kickoff participants

The Miami football program will send safety Kamren Kinchens, center Matt Lee and quarterback Tyler Van Dyke to ACC Kickoff next week in Charlotte. After a 5-7 season, the expectations should be for the questions to center around how Miami can be successful in 2023 and the changes on the roster and staff during the offseason.

Kinchens enters the 2023 season after being named a 2022 All-America, First Team by the Associated Press and Sporting News. Kinchens and James Williams return to Miami as the starting safeties in 2023. Expect Kinchens to be asked about defensive breakdowns in 2022 and new defensive coordinator Lance Guidry.

Miami finished last nationally in 2022 allowing 10 pass plays of 50 yards or more. A lot of the problems allowing big plays have been blamed on breakdowns in communication in the secondary. Miami has to improve communication. As the lone Miami defensive player in Charlotte expect Kinchens to be asked about communication.

Lee comes to Miami after spending four seasons at Central Florida. Pro Football Focus rated Lee as the third-highest-performing center nationally in 2022. Lee earned a 90.6 pass-blocking grade and an 80.6 run-blocking grade in 2022 for UCF. Lee earned All-American Athletic Conference in each of the last three seasons.

Expect Lee to receive questions about the adjustment to Miami from UCF, the rebuilt Miami offensive line and new offensive coordinator Lance Guidry. Miami will have three or four new starting OL in 2023. Alabama transfer guard Javion Cohen will also be a starter for Miami in 2023.

Van Dyke will be questioned about how he can bounce back from a season of regression in 2022. Dawson will be his third offensive coordinator in as many seasons as the starting QB for the Miami football program. The new system is expected to be closer to Rhett Lashee who was the Miami OC In 2021.

Van Dyke was named the 2021 ACC Offensive Freshman of the Year and ACC Freshman of the Year. Former OC Josh Gattis reportedly ran a more complex offensive system. The reads will reportedly be easier and quicker for Van Dyke under Dawson. Van Dyke should be questioned about the difference in offensive systems.

The questions for Mario Cristobal could be more complex and extensive. Cristobal hired eight new coaches on his staff for 2023. How well the new coaches adapt to a roster with over 40 new players will be critical for success in 2023. Expect Cristobal to be questioned about new faces and philosophies for the 2023 season.