3 Biggest 2024 Miami football position battles to watch
Left guard, linebacker and safety will be the three position battles to watch when the Miami football team commences spring practice in August. Miami returns three starters on the offensive line, two at linebacker and will be looking for two new starting safeties during training camp.
Washington transfer Mishael Powell is expected to be one starting safety for Miami in 2024. Powell primarily received snaps at slot cornerback during spring practice. True freshman Zaquan Patterson, redshirt sophomore Markeith Williams and Arizona transfer Isaiah Thomas are projected to compete to be the other starting safety.
Powell had 92 tackles, 4.0 tackles for loss, three interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown, nine pass breakups and a forced fumble. All three of Powell's interceptions and six of his pass breakups occurred last season as Washington advanced to the College Football Playoff championship game.
After starting safeties Kamren Kinchens and James Williams opted out of the Pinstripe Bowl versus Rutgers last season, Markeith Williams received the most playing time of his collegiate career. Williams finished with eight tackles, a 0.5 TFL and one pass breakup in the loss to Rutgers.
University of Miami DBs working scooch technique footwork. This technique is typically for slot defenders like nickel backs and safeties. pic.twitter.com/ZkJMZADc2E
— DB Tips (@dbtips101) January 8, 2024
Potential Miami starting safeties.
In three seasons at Arizona, Taylor had 56 tackles, 1.0 TFL and two pass breakups. Patterson has been praised as being equally comfortable in man and zone coverage and against the run. Miami has the talent to have a good safety tandem in 2024, but will likely need time to develop.
Left guard competition
Miami returns starting right guard Anez Cooper and tackles Francis Mauigoa and Jalen Rivers in 2024. Indiana transfer Zach Carpenter will be the starting center. Expect Matt McCoy and Samson Okunola to be the primary competitors to be the starting right guard for Miami in 2024.
McCoy played in all 13 games in 2023 after appearing in two contests in 2022 during a redshirt season. Okunlola played in three games during his true freshman season in 2023 before suffering a season-ending knee injury. Okunlola was a five-star signee with Miami in 2023
Linebackers
Francis Mauigoa was arguably Miami's defensive most valuable player in 2023. Mauigoa earned second-team All-ACC leading Miami with 82 tackles, led the ACC with 18 tackles for loss and had 7.5 sacks, 2.0 forced fumbles, 4.0 pass breakups and 1.0 forced fumble.
Wesley Bissainthe will enter his third season as a starter with Miami in 2024. Bissainthe has 74 tackles, 6.5 TFLs and 2.0 sacks in two seasons with Miami. The Hurricanes need Bissainthe to keep developing in 2024 and improve his production.
Louisville transfer Jaylin Alderman projects as the third starting LB for Miami in 2024. Alderman was recruited to Louisville by Miami LB coach Derek Nicholson. Alderman had a breakout season in 2023 with 62 tackles, 7.0 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and 2.0 pass breakups.
Sophomore Raul Aguirre and 2024 signee Cameron Pruitt are LBs to watch behind Alderman, Bissainthe and Mauigoa. Sophomore Bobby Washington and freshman Adarius Hayes project on the depth chart behind Aguirre and Pruitt. Miami should have improved LB depth in 2024.
dark. Next. Miami needs safety Mishael Powell to be leader in secondary. Miami needs safety Mishael Powell to be leader in secondary
Left guard, the third LB and safety will be the positions to watch during August training camp. The safety next to Powell will likely be the most inexperienced starter for Miami in 2024. If Miami can receive good production from its secondary in 2024, they can compete for ACC Championship Game and College Football Playoff berths.