Miami Hurricanes News: Players media appearances, football lack of respect?

Cornerback Darryl Porter Jr., linebacker Francisco Mauigoa, offensive lineman Jalen Rivers and tight end Cam McCormick were the Miami Hurricanes players who spoke to the media on Wednesday as they prepare for Georgia Tech. Brad Crawford of 247 Sports named Miami as one of 10 programs not getting enough respect.

Porter discussed facing an elite Georgia Tech passing game, his improvement over last season, the connection he has with the other starting defensive backs, cornerbacks Te’Cory Couch and Jaden Davis and safeties Kamren Kinchens and James Williams. Porter was also asked about backup safety Jaden Harris.

Mauigoa praised Georgia Tech as having explosive wide receivers and Yellow Jackets quarterback Haynes King. Asked about players taking ownership this year over the 2022 season, Mauigoa mentioned LB Corey Flagg, Kinchens and Williams as being leaders on defense and center Matt Lee on offense.

Rivers discussed the play of the offensive line as a whole, his switch to left tackle, the ACC schedule and the challenge of facing Georgia Tech who changed their defensive coordinator earlier this week after losing to Bowling Green on Saturday. Rivers is the most experienced OL playing for the Miami Hurricanes.

McCormick spoke about playing in the ACC, wearing the Miami Nights uniforms on Saturday compared to the alternate jerseys he wore at Oregon, the return of TE Elijah Arroyo, counseling him on returning from an injury and preparing for Georgia Tech on Saturday. McCormick has been the starting TE with Arroyo out.

Crawford ranked the Miami Hurricanes second in his “10 college football teams not getting enough respect.” Oklahoma is the only program that Crawford ranked ahead of Miami among his 10 teams not getting enough respect. The Sooners are 5-0 and play Texas on Saturday at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas in the Red River Rivalry.

David Lake of Inside the U wrote about “Five rotational players that have stepped up during the first month of the season.” Lake named running back Don Chaney Jr., McCormick, defensive tackle Thomas Gore, Flagg and Harris as his five rotational players who have stepped up. Harris started the last two games with Kinchens out.