Miami football gets commitment from top 5 transfer IOL Zach Carpenter

The Miami football program received a commitment from one of the top centers in the transfer portal for the second straight year. After an outstanding 2023 season from Matt Lee, former Indiana center Zach Carpenter committed to Miami on Monday. Carpenter reportedly chose Miami over Maryland and North Carolina.

Carpenter will join the Miami football program in 2024 as the projected starting center. Per Gaby Urruita of Inside the U Carpenter played "804 snaps at center in 2023, allowing eight pressures and three sacks according to Pro Football Focus. Carpenter earned a 71.8 pass-blocking grade and a 61.0 run blocking grade."

Carpenter went to High School at legendary Archbishop Moeller in Cincinnati. The 247 Sports transfer portal rankings have Carpenter as the 139th ranked transfer and fifth interior offensive lineman in the portal. As a 2019 signee with Michigan, Carpenter was the 547th prospect, 32nd guard and 20th player in Ohio.

Carpenter was originally crystalballed to Clemson in high school. Miami gains a needed experienced center for the 2024 season. The addition of Carpenter will provide Miami with another season to develop redshirt freshman Ryan Rodriguez at center. Miami has a commitment from center Nino Francavilla in the 2024 class.

In addition to center, Miami will also have an opening at left guard next season. Javion Cohen is entering the 2024 NFL Draft. Redshirt freshman Matthew McCoy is expected to replace Cohen. Two-year starter Anez Cooper could move to left guard. McCoy will likely start in the Pinstripe Bowl versus Rutgers replacing Cooper who opted out.

At 6'5, 292 pounds, Carpenter is comparable to the 6'4, 295 pound Lee. Carpenter transfers to Miami after starting 27 games at Michigan and Indiana. Tackles Jalen Rivers and Francisco Mauigoa will return for Miami in 2024 to anchor the offensive line. Miami should continue to have an elite OL in 2024 with the addition of Carpenter.