3 Miami football offensive freshman to watch in spring game
Tight end Elijah Lofton and wide receivers Ny Carr and JoJo Trader have received the best reports on offense among the early enrollee freshmen for the Miami football team during spring practice. Carr, Lofton and Trader are the three Miami freshmen to watch on offense during the spring game on Saturday.
Miami has seven early enrollees this spring on offense. Offensive linemen Nico Francavilla and Deryc Plazz, quarterback Judd Anderson and running back Chris Wheatley-Humphrey are Miami offensive early enrollees in addition to Carr, Lofton and Trader.
Anderson, Francavilla, Plazz and Wheatley-Humphrey will have limited opportunities in the spring game. Anderson is the fifth QB behind Cam Ward, Reese Poffenbarger, Emory Williams and Jacurri Brown. Francvilla is a developmental offensive lineman who will likely redshirt in 2024.
Plazz is an intriguing player to watch. A leader in the 2024 class, Plazz could compete for playing time as a second-team OL for Miami in 2024. After signing as an offensive tackle, Plazz could be moved to guard. Wheatley-Humphrey will get carries as only one of three healthy RBs on the Miami roster this spring.
Lofton has provided Miami with a lot of versatility this spring. With the injuries at RB, Lofton has spent time as a ball carrier, blocker at H-back and TE and catching passes. Mario Cristobal stated on Thursday they will not reveal a lot of how they plan to use Lofton this season during the spring game.
Although outshined by Trader during spring practice, Carr has a lot of his own upside. With the focus on Trader, Carr has an opportunity to show his own prowess at WR in the spring game. Miami is searching for WRs to emerge behind Xavier Restrepo and Jacoby George.
Trader has received national praise throughout the spring as a player to watch. Isaiah Horton and Trader have been the top WRs behind George and Restrepo throughout spring practice. Miami needs a consistent big-play WR next to Restrepo, who carves up the middle of the field in the slot.
The spring game allows Miami football fans to see how Ward meshes with his new teammates, how well the OL performs with two starting positions open and if any of the TEs emerge. The Miami spring game kicks off at 4 PM Eastern time at Cobb Stadium on campus and ACC Network Extra.