The Miami football program was expected rely on true freshmen to contribute entering the 2023 season. Freshman right tackle Francis Mauigoa has started every game. Running backs Mark Fletcher and Chris Johnson and tight end Riley Williams have also been key contributors to the Miami offense early in 2023.
Mauigoa leads Miami freshmen with 233 snaps per Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. The other freshmen snap counts are Riley Williams 104, quarterback Emory Williams 57, wide receivers Ray Ray Joseph 46 and Robby Washington seven, Fletcher 46, OT Samson Okunlola 30, Johnson 20 and TE Jackson Carver six.
Mauigoa has struggled at times on what has been an elite offensive line. The five-star freshman has allowed two sacks and has received several holding calls. WR Frank Ladson is the only Miami offensive player with a lower grade from Pro Football Focus. Mauigoa should be able to grow on an OL full of veterans.
Emory Williams has completed 12 of 15 passes for 144 yards, no touchdowns or interceptions with a 160.6 passer rating. Williams can play one more game this season before burning his redshirt. The accuracy and poise from Williams this season has been impressive from a true freshman.
1. Miami: 887 true freshman snaps
— CaneFilms (@CaneFilms) September 25, 2023
2. Clemson: 768 true freshman snaps
3. Virginia: 545 true freshman snaps
4. Georgia Tech: 460 true freshman snaps
5. Virginia Tech: 336 true freshman snaps
- OL Francis Mauigoa: 233 offensive snaps
- DL Rueben Bain: 119 defensive snaps
- TE… pic.twitter.com/fnJDGaofK1
Fletcher has 24 carries for 133 rushing yards and one TD in three games. Fletcher missed the Bethune-Cookman game with an injury. Johnson was impressive late versus Bethune-Cookman and Temple with 11 carries for 73 yards and a TD. Fletcher and Johnson are the projected Miami backfield of the future.
Joseph has six receptions for 36 yards and Washington two for 27. Riley Williams has been impressive as the backup TE, primarily as a blocker. Pro Football Focus rates Williams and McCormick the 12th and 13th best run blocking TEs nationally and top two for Miami. Williams has one reception for 18 years.
As the season goes on, expect the freshmen for the Miami football team to see an increase in snaps. Okunlola could be a freshman to watch in the final eight games this season. Fletcher and Johnson have been productive and could see more carries. Joseph has the potential to be a game breaker who could be utilzied a variety of ways.