Miami football depth chart: Expect TEs lined up everywhere
The tight ends on the Miami football roster are athletic, versatile and other than Oregon transfer Cam McCormick, largely inexperienced. McCormick is entering his eighth season of college football due to multiple season-ending injuries. This will be the fifth season McCormick has played under Mario Cristobal as a head coach.
Redshirt sophomore Elijah Arroyo, McCormick and Skinner are the only experienced TEs on the Miami football roster entering the 2023 season. Arroyo, McCormick and Skinner have combined for 37 receptions for 450 yards and six TDs in their collegiate career. Miami signed Jackson Carver and Riley Williams in the 2023 class.
Arroyo has dealt with a hamstring injury throughout training camp but was not mentioned on the injury report by Cristobal on Monday. McCormick provides Miami with a physical blocker who has been a productive red-zone receiver throughout his career. Carver, Skinner and Williams will compete for playing time behind them.
New offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson has been creative throughout his career. Dawson is known for adapting his system to the personnel on the roster. Miami has a lot of athleticism at TE. Earlier this month, Susan Miller Degnan of the Miami Herald quoted Dawson discussing what to expect from the Miami TEs.
"“Line ‘em up everywhere…They can be an outside receiver, they can be inside. They’re going to move around. The best thing is if you got a guy that really threatens the defense with his ball skills and movement and body control, you can be elite at that position.’’"
Dawson has big shoes to replace at TE in 2023. Will Mallory led all Miami receivers in 2022 with 42 receptions and 538 receiving yards. Mallory had his best season in his final year with Miami and contributed to the history of TE U. Entering 2023, none of the Miami TEs have had a breakout season in college.
Arroyo, Skinner and Williams are all highly regarded as receivers who can split out wide. Based on the comments from Dawson early during training camp expect to see the Miami football team be creative with its TEs. Dawson likes to challenge a defense and have his quarterbacks test a defense vertically.
Tyler Van Dyke was one of the best quarterbacks in the country in 2021 testing defenses deep in the passing game. Arroyo has four receptions of 15-plus yards and two of 25 or more on 10 career receptions. Skinner had four receptions for 15 or more yards in 2022 and one of 25 or more as a true freshman.
Next. Shannon Dawson looking for alpha WR on depth chart. dark
McCormick only has four career receptions of 15 or more yards and one that was 25 plus. Known more as a blocker and red zone threat, McCormick will complement Arroyo, Skinner and Williams in the Miami passing game among the TEs. Arroyo and McCormick will enter the season as the top two Miami TEs.