National CFB writer asks if Miami football needs transfer RB

The Injuries to Ajay Allen and Mark Fletcher keeping them out of spring practice have left the Miami football team extremely thin at running back. As part of his "2024 pressing questions for every ACC team this spring" Jesse Simonton of On3 asked, " Do the Hurricanes need to hit the portal for running back depth?"

Without Allen and Fletcher Miami is extremely inexperienced at RB during spring practice except for returning leading rusher Henry Parrish. Miami also has Tre'vonte Citizen, redshirt freshman Chris Johnson and 2024 signee Chris Wheatley-Humphrey in the backfield this spring.

Miami will add 2024 signee Jordan Lyle later this year. Citizen has missed nearly his first two seasons with a severe knee injury. If Miami has to begin the 2024 season without Fletcher an experienced transfer RB might be necessary to add depth to the roster.

Lyle could potentially have a similar impact as a freshman for Miami as Fletcher did in 2023. On3 ranks Lyle as their top RB in the 2024 class. Citizen is intriguing at 6'1 and 220 pounds if he is healthy and Johnson provides speed. Wheatley-Humphrey probably needs a year to develop.

"Miami — Do the Hurricanes need to hit the portal for running back depth?
Mark Fletcher was the best freshman tailback in the ACC last season, as the former American Heritage star had 514 yards and five touchdowns on around 10 attempts a game as Miami’s No. 2 ‘back. Fletcher projects as the Hurricanes’ bell-cow tailback in 2024, but the sophomore remains sidelined this spring with a foot injury he suffered early in the Pinstripe Bowl.

Although Henry Parrish, who led the team with 625 yards last season, and Ajay Allen return, the Canes already lost promising sophomore Don Chaney Jr. to the portal this offseason. So if Fletcher, who is seen as such a valuable piece, looks questionable to start fall camp, Miami might need to grab some insurance from the transfer portal, too."

- Jesse Simonton, On3

Chaney was not a big loss for Miami. As a Third-Year Redshirt Freshman, Chaney fell behind Fletcher and Parrish in the RB rotation. Mario Cristobal told the Joe Rose show Miami could be active in the transfer portal next month. Miami will use the spring to evaulate its roster and then make decisions.

Fletcher and Parrish are the projected top two Miami RBs if healthy. How well Fletcher's recovery goes in the next month could determine if Miami needs a transfer RB. The development of Citizen, Johnson and Wheatley-Humphrey could also impact if Miami needs to hit the portal for RB depth.

Allen is more of a complementary RB. Parrish can be the lead ball carrier, but the criticism of him has often been he is not a bellcow RB. There are other needs for Miami in the transfer portal than depth at RB. Cornerback depth and a potential starting left guard and wide receiver are the positions Miami is more likely to target as transfers than RB.