Miami football needs tight ends to emerge this spring

The Miami football tight ends combined for 18 receptions for 154 yards and one touchdown in 2023. Miami needs more production from its TEs in 2024. Cameron McCormick, who was the primary starter in 2023, is out this spring. That provides the other TEs the opportunity to earn first-team snaps.

Sophomore Riley Williams tied for the team lead among TEs with eight receptions, his 72 receiving yards topped Hurricanes at the position and he had the lone touchdown. McCormick had 62 receiving yards in 2023. Elijah Arroyo had one reception for 11 yards in 2024.

Arroyo, who has missed most of the last two seasons with an injured knee, has reportedly performed well this spring. Arroyo was named by Grant Hughes of 247Sports among the "ACC spring football rising stars: The conference's top emerging talents as teams hit practice fields and Andrea Adelson of ESPN named Arroyo a breakout player this spring.

Miami offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson called Arroyo being healthy huge and discussed the top TEs on the Miami roster early in spring practice. Arroyo has become a leader in spring practice with McCormick out per Dawson. Freshman Elija Lofton has also been impressive this spring.

"That tight end room is, is a lot like we talked about. I mean...it's a lot of competition in that room...Riley played a lot of football last year as a true freshman. That's hard you know and everybody can be critical of guys when they're freshmen playing at this level. I thought he did a really good job last year, but his ceiling is very, very high and having a guy like Elijah that is an older guy that can kind of be the post of that group, right is huge. Cam's (McCormick) not really factoring in right now, but we know that('s) how solid that kid can play right and then the young kid Lofton, I mean he's pretty good too. You know and so that room is pretty talented and so we're excited about that room.""

- Miami OC Shannon Dawson

Arroyo and McCormick provide balance to Jackson Carver, Lofton and Williams with experience for Miami at TE. Lofton is expected to be utilized as a blocker and H-back. Arroyo could earn first-team TE by the time Miami breaks training camp in August. Arroyo said Lofton reminds him of himself.

Expect Arroyo and Williams to be the primary TEs for Miami as receivers. Lofton and McCormick will likely be utilized more as blockers. Lofton has the potential to be a good receiver as he develops. Miami will utilize two TE sets often. If Arroyo and Williams can play together that will pressure defenses in the middle of the field.

Miami should be deeper and more talented at TE in 2024. Arroyo being fully healthy and Williams a year further into his development Miami should have far more production from its TEs in 2024 than in 2023. The addition of Cam Ward at quarterback is also expected to elevate Miami offensively.