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Five Miami football freshmen to watch in Saturday’s scrimmage

By Alan Rubenstein

Five-star football recruit Samson Okunlola of Brockton and Thayer Academy, made his college commitment to the University of Miami on Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022. He was surrounded by his parents Jomel and Monica and brother Sunny.Miami
Five-star football recruit Samson Okunlola of Brockton and Thayer Academy, made his college commitment to the University of Miami on Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022. He was surrounded by his parents Jomel and Monica and brother Sunny.Miami /
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The Miami Football team will hold its first scrimmage of training camp on Saturday at Hard Rock Stadium. Miami held its first practice in pads on Wednesday. Several freshmen are expected to make an impact for Miami this season. There will be multiple worth watching during Saturday’s scrimmage.

Offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa was the highest-ranked 2023 Miami signee and the projected starting right tackle this season. Mauigoa is the freshman on the 2023 Miami roster who is closest to being a guaranteed starter this season. Mauigoa was the sixth-ranked prospect, second OT and third in Florida in the 2023 class.

Mauigoa was one of two five-star 2023 OT signees for Miami. Samson Okunlola projects as a backup, but will receive frequent playing time in the scrimmage. Mauigoa and Okunlola are projected bookend tackles for Miami in the future. If Miami has any offensive line injuries in 2023, expect Okunlola to become a starter.

Mario Cristobal called defensive lineman Rueben Bain a monster earlier this week. Bain was nearly unblockable in high school. Miami is deep on the DL, but Bain will receive significant snaps in 2023. Bain can play end and tackle. Early in the season, Bain projects more as a pass rush specialist either inside or outside.

Running back Mark Fletcher has been challenging for first-team snaps throughout training camp. At 6’0.5 and 226 pounds, Fletcher provides Miami with a good combination of size and speed at RB. Miami struggled with injuries at RB throughout the 2022 season. Fletcher should continue to compete for first-team snaps in 2023.

Wide receiver Nathaniel Joseph was praised by Cristobal earlier this week for his work ethic. Joseph has game-breaking speed. Miami lacked explosiveness offensively in 2022. Quarterback Tyler Van Dyke getting healthy, the hiring of Shannon Dawson as offensive coordinator and more speed at WR should all create explosiveness.

Next. Erickson belives Miami is attractive for other conferences. dark

The 2023 Miami football class ranked seventh in the 247 Sports composite rankings. Miami needs impact players defensively and offensively in 2023. Expect the five players listed here to all have an impact at some point this season. Mauigoa particularly has a chance to earn freshman All-American.

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