Miami football players who will receive increased snaps vs. B-C

With several players dealing with injuries and FCS Bethune-Cookman being the opponent on Thursday night, several Miami football players will receive a significant increase in snaps versus the Wildcats. Running back, the defensive line and safety are the positions to watch for increased snaps from backups.

The biggest question for Thursday is the health of safety Kamren Kinchens. Mario Cristobal stated earlier this week that he would not disclose the severity of injuries to the Miami football players. Kinchens left the game on Saturday with a neck injury and was taken to Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital.

With Miami expected to win easily versus Bethune-Cookman anticipate Kinchens to be out at least for the game on Thursday night. Kinchens could miss the game next week against Temple before Miami has a bye week on September 30. That would allow Kinchens to sit out three weeks before hopefully being ready on October 7.

Redshirt freshman Jaden Harris played 10 snaps at the end of the game after Kinchens was injured. Fellow redshirt freshman Markeith Williams and potentially fourth-year redshirt sophomore Brian Balom could play behind junior James Williams at safety versus Bethune-Cookman.

Freshman RB Mark Fletcher left the game against Texas A&M. Fletcher was limited to four carries for six yards versus the Aggies. Freshman RB Chris Johnson is most likely to benefit if Fletcher is out and from Miami playing Bethune-Cookman. Johnson brings a lot of speed and Thursday is his best chance for carries.

Defensive linemen Branson Deen and Ajheem Mesidor left the game against Texas A&M. Ahmad Moten, Thomas Gore and Jake Lichtenstein had increased snaps at defensive tackle with Deen out. Nyjalik Kelly and Chantz Williams had increased snaps with Mesidor out. They will all see an increase in snaps versus Bethune-Cookman.

Freshman Jayden Wayne and redshirt freshman Cyrus Moss are likely to see their most significant snaps versus Bethune-Cookman. Moss made his Miami debut versus Bethune-Cookman in 2022. Moss and Wayne are former four-star signees with the difficult task of breaking through a deep Hurricanes’ roster of edge rushers.

Expect to see nearly the entire roster play for Miami versus Bethune-Cookman. Miami freshmen linebackers Raul Aguirre, Malik Bryant, Marcellius Pulliam and Bobby Washington will provide a glimpse of the future for the Miami football team defensively. Cornerback Robert Stafford is another player to watch on defense.

True freshman quarterback Emory Williams was productive in the season opener versus Miami (Ohio). Williams can play in only three more games and maintain his redshirt. Expect Jacurri Brown to be the backup to Tyler Van Dyke on Thursday. Brown should play the majority of the game if Williams doesn’t receive snaps.

The starters on the offensive line have received the vast majority of snaps through the first two games. Five-star freshman tackle Samson Okunlola should receive significant snaps versus Bethune-Cookman. Francis Mauigoa has played well in the first two games and will anchor the OL with Okunlola in the future.