Expect a lot of movement on the Miami football roster when the spring transfer portal window is open from April 16-30. Miami is currently six players over the roster limit of 85 scholarship players. That includes running back Henry Parrish and edge rusher Nyjalik Kelly who will enter the transfer portal next week.
Crawford expects Miami to be busy in the portal, especially looking for a RB. Other positions to watch for Miami in the transfer portal are offensive line, linebacker and defensive back. Positions to watch exit as transfers from Miami are quarterback, wide receiver and the offensive line.
Which players leave Miami in the transfer portal to get down to the 85-man roster limit will be more important than who they add. Miami has had multiple players limited by injuries or are out entirely during spring practice. Getting and staying healthy will be as important as any transfer additions to the 2024 Miami roster.
The intentions of Kelly and Parrish to enter the transfer portal next week will get Miami down to 90 scholarship players on their 2024 roster. Kelly played in five 2023 games before suffering a season-ending injury. Parrish was Miami's leading rusher during the 2022 and 2023 seasons.
With Moss and Skinner (no disrespect to the young men), they might have simply been over-evaluated by recruiting services and many schools. That must play out. So DE Kelly's departure is more hurtful than other 2, who wouldn't have played major roles here in 2024, obviously. But… https://t.co/4DNpcl3Er2
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) April 9, 2024
"MIAMI HURRICANESBrad Crawford, 247 Sports
If you're a high-end running back wanting first-team carries, Miami has a spot for you. The ACC's worst-kept secret is that the Hurricanes will go hunting for a difference-making ballcarrier this spring portal cycle given the depth concerns in the backfield following a decision from Henry Parrish — the team's second-leading rusher last fall — to transfer. The Hurricanes have just three scholarship players available at running back this spring after injuries to Mark Fletcher and Ajay Allen. Miami needs a WR1 as well, along with depth at all three levels defensively. Miami will be extremely active and looking to add several transfers."
Redshirt sophomore Tre'Vonte Citizen, redshirt freshman Chris Johnson and 2024 signee Chris Wheatley-Humphrey are the only healthy RBs Miami has this spring. Miami will add 2024 signee Jordan Lyle. Allen is expected to be healthy for the beginning of the 2024 season. Fletcher's health is more uncertain.
Miami is more likely to add a complementary wide receiver. Xavier Restrepo and Jacolby George had breakout 2023 seasons. Junior Isaiah Horton and freshmen JoJo Trader and Ny Carr have been impressive this spring per the coaching staff and their teammates. Miami needs depth at WR.
Miami has added nine transfers to its 2024 roster. Three transfer additions are on offense and six are on defense. Cam Ward is expected to be a difference-maker at quarterback. Ward will take snaps from projected starting center Zach Carpenter who transferred from Indiana. Several defensive transfers will compete to be starters.
Once spring practice ends on Saturday, Mario Cristobal and his staff will evaluate where the roster is. Miami players can make their own evaluations about their status on the (virtual) depth chart. It will be a busy few weeks for the Miami football program.