3 Miami football players who need to stay healthy in 2024

Defensive lineman Akheem Mesidor and tight end Elijah Arroyo combined for only six games last season because of injuries. Running back Mark Fletcher missed off-season workouts after suffering a lisfranc injury to his foot in the Pinstripe Bowl loss to Rutgers to end the 2023 season.

Getting Arroyo, Fletcher and Mesidor are critical for Miami entering the 2024 season. Miami has brought in more depth through the transfer portal to help ease the injuries to Fletcher and Mesidor. Miami needs development from other TEs in 2024 to not have to rely heavily on Arroyo.

After playing in all 12 games as a freshman in 2021, Arroyo has missed most of the last two seasons after a major injury to his left knee in 2021. Arroyo had five receptions for 66 yards for a touchdown in 2022 before the injury. In 2021 Arroyo had one reception for 11 yards without a TD.

Entering the 2024 season, Arroyo is projected as the first-team TE. Freshman Elija Lofton and sophomore Riley Williams are expected to get significant snaps as the primary backups to Arroyo. Cam McCormick will be a key blocker for Miami at TE. Expect Miami to try and incorporate the TE more into the passing offense in 2024.

Mesidor suffered torn ligament in both feet in the third game of the 2024 season which caused him to miss the rest of the year. Mesidor finished with five tackles, one tackle for loss and one sack last season. In his only full season with Miami in 2022, Mesidor had 38 tackles, 10.5 TFLs, 7.0 sacks. one forced fumble and four pass breakups.

Mario Cristobal told David Lake of Inside the U that Fletcher and Mesidor will be completely ready when training camp begins on Wednesday. Mesidor who needs custom-made shoes to support his feet can play on a snap count with the extreme depth Miami has on the DL.

Miami returns 2023 ACC Defensive Freshman of the Year Rueben Bain and added Elijah Alston from Marshall and Tyler Baron from Tennessee via Louisville as transfers at edge rusher in 2024. Miami also signed an elite group of 2024 edge rushers led by five-star signee Marquis Lightfoot.

Fletcher projects to be the second RB behind Oregon State transfer Damien Martinez. The addition of Martinez means Miami won't have to rely on Fletcher as heavily in 2024. Miami also returns Ajay Allen who is a good third-team RB. Fletcher should receive more than the 105 carries he had in 2023 and the 514 yards he produced last season.

Having Arroyo, Fletcher and Mesidor healthy gives Miami good to exceptional depth at TE, RB and edge rusher. The players Miami signed in the 2024 class and transfer additions have upgraded the talent on the Miami roster and improved their depth entering the 2024 season.