9 Miami football players Pro Football Focus preseason All-ACC
Eight Miami football players earned preseason All-ACC from Pro Football Focus and another, running back Henry Parrish was named second-team as posted on Monday. Pro Football Focus named three Miami players first-team All-ACC on offense, four on defense plus kicker Andres Borregales.
Pro Football Focus clearly loves the Miami offensive line. Center Matt Lee, guard Javion Cohen and tackle Zion Nelson were named first-team preseason All-ACC by Pro Football Focus. Lee transferred to Miami from Central Florida and Cohen from Alabama during the 2023 offseason. Nelson is returning from a knee injury.
There is no guarantee that Nelson will be ready for the 2023 season. If Nelson doesn’t start the season, Jalen Rivers is expected to be the starting left tackle. Miami has significantly upgraded its offensive line during the 2023 offseason. True freshman Francis Mauigoa is projected to start at right tackle.
Defensive interior (as listed by Pro Football Focus) Leonard Taylor, edge (rusher) Akheem Mesidor and safeties Kamren Kinchens and James Williams are the Miami football players on defense named by Pro Football Focus as preseason All-ACC. Kinchens was an All-American in 2022.
The expectation is that Cohen and Lee will help Miami greatly improve the offensive line in 2023. Mauigoa will be in consideration for freshman All-America if he lives up to his potential. Getting three of the five members on the All-ACC OL would be a huge accomplishment for Miami and the coaching staff.
Anchored by Mesidor and Taylor the Miami defensive line has the potential to be the best in the ACC. Miami tied for fourth in the ACC with Florida State in 2022 averaging 3.08 sacks per game. With almost everyone returning in 2023, Miami has a chance to lead the ACC in sacks. Jahfari Harvey could have a big year as well.
Kinchens and Williams will work with a Miami cornerbacks corps with two new starters. Te’Cory Couch returns and will start at either the STAR position or slot CB. Davonte Brown from Central Florida and Jaden Davis from Oklahoma are projected starters for Miami at boundary CB after transferring during the offseason.
Borregales has made 34 of 41 field goal attempts and all 77 points after touchdowns in his two seasons kicking for Miami. Borreagles is 13-14 on FG attempts from inside of 30 yards during his Miami career, 12-13 from 30 to 39 yards, 8-10 from 40 to 49 yards and 1-2 from 50 or more yards.
Next. Expectations from 3 Miami ACC Kickoff participants. dark
The expectations will be lower for the Miami football team in 2023 following a disappointing 2022 season. If Miami has nine players named All-ACC in 2023 they will have had a successful season. Nine All-ACC performers will have meant a good record for the team in 2023. The talent on the 2023 Miami roster has been upgraded.