Top QB, RB and WR for each of Miami's 2024 non-conference opponents
![Florida Gators quarterback Graham Mertz (15) looks to throw during the first half against the Georgia Bulldogs at Everbank Stadium in Jacksonville, FL on Saturday, October 28, 2023. [Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun]](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_4780,h_2688,x_0,y_0/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images%2FImagnImages%2Fmmsport%2F200%2F01j0rreqxtxbr6ec3438.jpg "Florida Gators quarterback Graham Mertz (15) looks to throw during the first half against the Georgia Bulldogs at Everbank Stadium in Jacksonville, FL on Saturday, October 28, 2023. [Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun]")
The Miami football team faces an in-state heavy 2024 non-conference schedule. Miami opens the season at Florida, followed by hosting Florida A&M and Ball State and finishing with a trip to South Florida. Each of the 2024 non-conference opponents offers different challenges for Miami defensively.
Florida returns leading passer Graham Mertz and rusher Montrell Johnson, plus Tre Wilson who was second on the Gators with 61 receptions and 538 receiving yards while his six touchdowns through the air were first. Florida primarily used a two-running back system during the 2023 season.
Benjamin Henderson of Canes Warning's partner site Hail Florida Hail projects Treyaun Webb to be the second RB in the Gators' rotation. Johnson has run for over 800 yards in each of the past three seasons and totaled 27 touchdowns. Last season Johnson significantly improved as a receiver with 30 receptions for 236 yards and TD.
Webb averaged 6.3 yards per carry on 26 attempts backing up Johnson and Trevor Etienne who transfered to Georgia after the 2023 season. Florida finished 78th nationally in 2023 averaging 149.83 rushing yards per game. Miami was 12th nationally against the run in 2023 allowing 105.62 rushing YPG.
Mertz will be a tough challenege on the road for the Miami secondary. Miami will have two new starting safeties and is inexperienced at cornerback behind returning starters Damari Brown and Darryl Porter Jr. Mertz completed 72.9 percent of his passes in 2023 for 2,903 yards, 20 TDs and three interceptions.