Jordan Lyle lost his opportunity with Miami because of injury, now he's taking it back

Jordan Lyle was the opening-week starter at running back for the Miami Hurricanes last season, but a high-ankle sprain put him on the back burner for much of the season. While Mark Fletcher took over the starting role in the backfield and Malachi Toney became the dynamic playmaker, Lyle had to get in where he could.

Now he's healthy, and he's not waiting around for his turn. The junior from Fort Lauderdale is ready to take what he believes is his, and Mario Cristobal recognizes that.

READ MORE: 3 things to watch for as Miami begins the second week of training camp

Jordan Lyle could fit in anywhere in Miami's offense

You can't have enough game breakers on offense and, before the injury, Lyle was thought to be the Hurricanes' best one going into the 2025 season. He didn't make Bruce Feldman's list of college football "freaks," but he certainly is built like one.

Lyle is now trying to engineer his comeback with the Hurricanes in a whole new space. There are a lot of playmakers on this roster...both sides of the ball. The quarterback, Darian Mensah, is a big-time playmaker himself. The wide receivers are much more explosive, with Toney surrounded by a much better supporting cast. 

And then there are the running backs. Fletcher is the starter. He earned that right by rushing for 1,192 yards last season, with over 500 of those yards coming during the College Football Playoff. But Lyle knows that could've easily been him, and he's ready to remind everyone that it still can be him.

"Last year, I didn't get to let out my frustration on the field," Lyle said. "So, I've got a lot of pent-up anger right now, and I'm just ready to bring it into the next [season]. Last year, I felt like I disappointed my people."

There are plenty of touches to be had in Shannon Dawson's offense. Lyle has the talent to make explosive plays by running the football, catching the ball out of the backfield or even in the return game. Running back is arguably the most punishing position on the offense and even Fletcher couldn't go through last season unscathed. 

Lyle is going to hit the ground running immediately, and I wouldn't be shocked to see him end up as the team's leading rusher in the season opener against Syracuse. I wouldn't be shocked to see Lyle reach a point this season where he and Fletcher are at similar usage rates in games.

READ MORE: Projecting the Miami football two-deep depth chart at the start of training camp

But he'll have to beat out Girard Pringle Jr. and Marty Brown to get there. He knew that when he decided to withdraw his name from the transfer portal and stick it out in Coral Gables. 

"I know what I can do. I know what I'm capable of. I love being around the guys I'm around, and I love being around the crib. At the end of the day, I didn't see any point in leaving," Lyle added during his media day availability.

Lyle is betting on himself in 2026, and if the early buzz in camp is any indication, it looks like a good investment. 

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