Most glaring needs for Miami football remaining in the transfer portal

The Miami football program has added 10 transfers to its 2024 roster. Miami has filled glaring needs at several positions. Center Zach Carpenter and quarterback Cam Ward are guaranteed starters for Miami in 2024. Several defensive transfers will compete to be starters for Miami in 2024.

Defensive tackle C.J. Clark is a projected starter. Safeties Mishael Powell and Savion Riley are favored to earn starting positions for Miami in 2024. Cornerback, left guard, depth at linebacker and an outside wide receiver are positions of need for Miami in 2024. The other transfers that have been added provide depth.

Quarterback Reese Poffenbarger will compete with returnees Jacurri Brown and Emory Williams to be the primary backup for Ward. Williams could redshirt in 2024 after starting two games as a true freshman in 2023. True freshman Judd Anderson is a likely redshirt in 2024.

Rodney Hill adds depth at running back after transferring from Florida State. Miami returns leading rushers Henry Parrish and Mark Fletcher, plus redshirt freshman Chris Johnson and redshirt sophomore Tre'Vonte Citizen on the 2024 roster. The Hurricanes signed Jordan Lyle and Chris Wheatley-Humphrey in the 2024 class.

Wide receiver Isaiah Horton was productive in the limited playing time he received last season, with 13 receptions for 168 yards and a touchdown. At 6'4 and 205 pounds, Horton is the biggest receiver on the Miami roster. Losing Colbie Young to Georgia as a transfer was a big blow for Miami.

None of the other WRs on the 2024 Miami roster are taller than 6'2. Finding WRs with the type of size Horton and Young have is difficult. Horton is the projected starter if Miami doesn't add another big outside WR. Miami has talent but needs more size and experience at outside WR on the 2024 roster.

The loss of Javion Cohen to the NFL Draft with a year of eligibility remaining left the only current hole in the Miami offensive line. Carpenter replaces Matt Lee at center. Miami has many options to replace Cohen on the current roster, but they are inexperienced. Miami lost out on Washington guard Nate Kalepo, who transferred to Mississippi.

Miami returns leading tackle Francisco Mauigoa at middle linebacker and Wesley Bissainthe is projected to start at the other LB in the 4-2-5 Miami scheme. Miami returns several young LBs behind them. Losing K.J. Cloyd limits Miami's experience at LB in 2024. The Hurricanes could search to add an experienced LB to the roster.

Miami added safeties Mishael Powell, Savion Riley and Isaiah Taylor as transfers to its 2024 roster. Powell and Riley project as the starters this fall. The Hurricanes still need to add depth at CB to the 2024 roster. Davonte Brown, Jaden Davis and Darryl Porter Jr. return at CB in 2024. Miami needs to add experienced CB depth.

Expect Miami to continue targeting players currently in the transfer portal. The Hurricanes should continue to be active in the April 16 through 30 portal opens after spring practice. Miami has been busy in the spring portal in the two off-seasons since Mario Cristobal was hired in December 2021.