National writer gives Miami football 2024 reason for optimism
Brad Crawford of 247Sports stated Miami's offseason roster additions as the reason in his "College football rankings: Every preseason top 25 team's reason for optimism." The Miami football program signed the fourth-best 2024 class and 10th-best transfer class entering this season.
Crawford highlighted the transfer additions for Miami and mentioned one key returnee. Miami returns its top two receivers, Jacolby George and Xavier Restrepo, its two best defensive players Rueben Bain and Francisco Mauigoa and two of their top cornerbacks Damari Brown and Darryl Porter Jr. entering the 2024 season.
Crawford focused on the offense for Miami. Right guard Anez Cooper and tackles Francis Mauigoa and Jalen Rivers are returning starters for Miami in 2024. Center Zach Carpenter transferred from Indiana to help Miami solidify the offensive line. Left guard will be decided in training camp.
Miami added several impact defensive players for 2024. Simeon Barrow, C.J. Clark and Marley Cook are incoming transfers projected to be Miami's top three defensive tackles in 2024. Elijah Alston and Tyler Baron are huge transfer additions who give Miami one of the deepest groups nationally at that position.
Some say 10 wins, others say 11. The more pessimistic say 9 (Can't blame them). This is without a doubt a critical year for the #Hurricanes program and coach Mario Cristobal. It's looking like CFP or bust.#GoCanes || #ItsAllAboutTheU pic.twitter.com/EDxXjBnECo
— Gabriel Garcia (@Gabewritesports) August 17, 2024
"19. MIAMI HURRICANES
Reason for optimism: Offseason roster additions
There's no reason why Miami shouldn't be one of the ACC's top teams in every offensive category given the firepower from the portal. Not only did the Hurricanes add Cam Ward at quarterback, but Oregon State's Damien Martinez was a post-spring signing to pair with Mark Fletcher in the backfield and Sam Brown at wideout is a big play waiting to happen. Pair that trio with a veteran offensive line group and Miami should have no issues scoring points in bunches given its offseason investments."
The focus has primarily been on Ward throughout the offseason as the major reason for optimism in 2024. Martinez who transferred to Miami after spring practice will help balance the offense. Brown, George and Restrepo give Miami the seventh-best receiving corps nationally per Pro Football Focus.
Brown, George, and Restrepo all had over 800 yards receiving in 2023. Ward had 3,736 yards passing, and Martinez ran for 1,185 yards. With three 800-yard receivers, a 3,700-yard passer, and a 1,100-yard rusher on the same team projects for an elite offense. Opposing defenses will have a difficult time choosing how to defend against Miami.
Martinez and Ward should help Miami be far more explosive offensively in 2024. Miami was 70th in 2023 with 25 plays of 30 yards or more. Those numbers should change with Ward throwing to Brown, George, and Restrepo. Martinez will not allow opponents to use a light box versus Miami.
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Ward should have plenty of time to throw and Martinez holes to run through with the experience of the Miami offensive line. The Miami offensive line is ranked eighth nationally by Pro Football Focus. Miami will be tested early when they play at Florida in the August 31 2024 season opener.