Ajay Allen provides Miami football with explosiveness at RB
Nebraska transfer running back Ajay Allen was impressive for the Miami football program on Saturday in the first scrimmage ahead of the 2023 season. Allen had four runs of 10 yards or more per David Lake of Inside the U. Last season at Nebraska Allen flashed the ability to be explosive.
Allen had nine carries for first downs and seven for 10 or more yards on 33 carries for 190 yards and two touchdowns in 2022 with Nebraska. A broken collarbone sidelined Allen for the remainder of the season after four games in 2022. According to Lake, Allen had seven carries for 91 yards and one reception for nine yards on Saturday.
Allen had a 44-yard run on his first carry during the scrimmage on Saturday. Per Lake, the other four Miami RBs had 21 carries for 77 yards and two TDs. Allen appears to be pushing incumbent RB Henry Parrish. On Saturday Parrish had two carries for three yards and one reception for 17 yards.
Lake also noted that fourth-year sophomore Don Chaney has to catch up to Allen and freshman Mark Fletcher after primarily playing with the second and third-team Miami offense on Saturday. Allen averaged over four yards per carry in each of the final three games he played in last season.
Miami was 87th nationally in 2022 with 51 carries of 10 yards or more in 2022. The Hurricanes were 112th with nine carries of 20 yards or more. Improving the run and adding more explosive plays is critical for Miami in 2023. Miami was 95th averaging 128.33 rushing yards per game and 3.74 yards per carry in 2022.
Next. Miami RB competition wide open enntering training camp. dark
The depth chart for Miami at RB appears to be trending younger. Chaney could need time to ease into the rotation after missing most of the last two seasons with injuries. Parrish was consistent in 2022, but not really a threat to create long runs. Allen and Fletcher could be the keys to upgrade the Miami run in 2023.