Miami football OL potentially most dominant nationally per analyst
With the return of three starters and the addition of Indiana center Zach Carpenter the Miami football offensive line will be the best in the ACC and potentially the most dominant nationally per Brad Crawford of 247Sports. Miami returns starters, tackles Francis Mauigoa and Jalen Rivers and guard Anez Cooper.
Left guard is the only position that projects to have a completely open competition to be the fifth starter for Miami in 2024. Spring will provide a glimpse into who can emerge on the Miami OL. Miami could seek a starting level LG through the transfer portal during the April 16-30 spring window.
Carpenter replaces second-team All-ACC center Matt Lee who decided to forego his final season of eligibility and enter the NFL Draft. Rivers was also second-team All-ACC in 2023. Cooper, the departed Javion Cohen and Mauigoa all earned honorable mention All-ACC.
Mauigoa was named a Freshmen All-American after starting in all 13 games. Mauigoa led all freshmen nationally by playing 800 snaps. Brad Crawford of 247Sports named "Miami's Big and Physical Offensive Line" 10th in his "College football sweetheart rankings: 2024 Roster additions, position groups to love."
"Miami coach Mario Cristobal and his offensive line assistant, Alex Mirabal, share the same mentality when it comes to talent acquisition and development in the trenches. Sign as many big bodies as possible and mold them into difference-makers up front. Based on the Hurricanes' offensive line revamp this recruiting cycle, this front should be the ACC's best in 2024, if not of college football's most dominant. Miami's bringing in five newcomers, including presumed transfer starting center Zach Carpenter from Indiana, to compete for two spots on the left side. Returning starters Anez Cooper (RG) and Francis Mauigoa (RT) are reliable anchors."
- Brad Crawford, 247Sports
Mauigoa is the most talented returning player on the Miami OL, but Rivers is the true anchor. Carpenter will also be key, replacing Lee and making the calls up front. Entering Spring Practice, Matthew McCoy and Tommy Kinsler are the consensus front runners to emerge at LG.
Cristobal and Mirabal made the OL a priority in the 2023 class. Their recruiting paid immediate dividends with the performance of Mauigoa as a freshman. Miami needs more of the 2023 OL signees to emerge in 2024. Expect Kinsler or former five-star signee Samson Okunlola to be essential players for Miami in 2024.
Miami made the defensive line a priority for Miami in the 2024 class. Expect the DL line to reach the status of the OL a year from now. Rueben Bain had a dominant freshman season that culminated in being named the 2023 ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year. Miami added five blue-chip signees on the DL in the 2024 class.