As the Miami Hurricanes gear up for the upcoming football season, sophomore tight end Elija Lofton has emerged as a standout performer during spring practices. At 6-foot-1 and 235 pounds, Lofton has positioned himself as a versatile asset in Miami's offensive passing game.
During his freshman year in 2024, Lofton showcased glimpses of his potential. In last October, Lofton was named to The 247Sports Midseason True Freshman All-American Team for 2024. During that time he had eight receptions for 133 yards in five games.
Lofton's 2024 campaign slowed down as the year progressed and he ended with nine receptions for 150 yards and a touchdown, averaging 16.7 yards per catch. Lofton was a part of a four-man TE room led by Elijah Arroyo. The other members were Riley Williams who has since transferred to Oregon State and Cam McCormick who was a ninth-year senior.
In 2024, Lofton earned points with the staff for his versatility which included him lining up as an H-back and even taking snaps at running back due to injuries within the team. In the 2024 spring game, Lofton had seven carries for 34 yards and one reception for four yards.
Tight ends coach Cody Woodiel has praised Lofton's development and leadership qualities. "He is the most unique player I’ve ever coached up to this point in my career," Woodiel remarked. "He’s a Swiss Army knife. You can use him, put him in multiple different ways, creates a lot of different matchups."
Lofton's dedication to learning from former teammates has also been evident. Reflecting on his growth, he stated, "I had great guys in front of me to learn from... I’m grateful I had [Elijah] Arroyo and Cam [McCormick] here so I could learn from some of the greatest people that ever came through here."
As the Hurricanes prepare to fill the void left by departing veterans in the passing game, Lofton's emergence as a consistent playmaker offers optimism for the team's offense in 2025.