Miami football offensive transfers depth chart fit

The Miami football program has added quarterbacks Cam Ward and Reese Poffenbarger, center Zach Carpenter and running back Rodney Hill on offense as transfers to its 2024 roster. Carpenter and Ward are sure 2024 starters. Hill and Poffenbarger add depth.

Carpenter and Ward are critical additions at positions of need. Carpenter replaces second-team All-ACC Matt Lee. Ward provides Miami with an experienced and proven Power Five starter. Jacurri Brown and Emory Williams have a combined five starts and will compete to back up Ward with Poffenbarger.

Before the transfer portal opened, Brown and Williams were the sole returning QBs Miami had on its roster. Poffenbarger has two years of experience as a starter at FCS Albany and has two years of eligibility remaining. Miami also signed 6'6 three-star QB Judd Anderson in the 2024 class.

Expect Anderson to redshirt as a true freshman in 2024. Williams could also redshirt this fall. There has been some speculation that Brown could transfer after spring practice. For now Brown has said the right things about being committed to Miami. Brown brings athleticism and experience as a backup.

Carpenter started 19 games at center and two at right guard in the last two seasons at Indiana. The Big 10 named Carpenter honorable mention All-Conference in 2023. Pro Football Focus gave Carpenter a 71.8 pass-blocking grade and 61.0 run-blocking grade in 2023 per Gaby Urrutia of Inside the U.

Hill will compete with redshirt freshman Chris Johnson and 2024 signees Jordan Lyle and Chris Wheatley-Humphrey to be the fourth RB for Miami this fall. Mark Fletcher projects to be the starting RB, with Henry Parrish and Ajay Allen receiving significant carries as third and fourth in the rotation.

Parrish has led Miami in rushing in each of the last two seasons. Hill had 334 rushing yards, two TDs, and five receptions for 83 yards in two seasons with FSU. Miami will also reportedly use Hill as a kick returner. Hill had two kick returns for 42 yards in 2023.

Miami will likely add more transfers during the spring portal window from April 16 through 30. The addition of Ward should make Miami attractive to wide receivers. A WR with experience, size and history producing, would help Miami in 2024.