It's officially game week and the Miami Hurricanes are now in full preparation for Friday's season opener on the road against Stanford. The Cardinal opened their season with a 37-27 win Saturday.
There were some interesting training camp battles and positions. We'll need to keep an eye on Saturday to see exactly how everything shakes down. But Mario Cristobal should release a depth chart at some point this week, unless not releasing them is going to be a new thing that coaches do. Either way, this is what I believe Miami's Week 1 depth chart will look like on offense:
Quarterback
Darian Mensah (R-Jr.)
Luke Nickel (R-Fr.)
This was settled the minute Miami and Mensah were able to execute his transfer from Duke. Mensah is the starter, a Heisman Trophy favorite and one of the best quarterbacks in the country. Nickel did what he had to do to solidify his spot as QB2. Shannon Dawson would love to give him extended snaps in at least one of the first four games of the season.
Running back
Mark Fletcher Jr. (Sr.)
Marty Brown (R-Jr.)
Fletcher is going to be the first back on the field, and he should be after rushing for 1,192 yards last season, but there will be some additional guys getting carries throughout the season. I expect Jordan Lyle and Girard Pringle to get opportunities and how they perform in those roles will determine their usage in the second half of the season. Brown is a reliable backup that can run tough, catch passes and is solid in protection.
Wide Receiver
Malachi Toney (So.)
Daylyn Upshaw (R-Fr.)
Cooper Barkate (Gr.)
Somourian Wingo (Fr.)
Joshua Moore (So.)
Vandrevius Jacobs (R-Jr.)
This is a pretty young group overall, but somewhat established. Toney and Barkate are the top two guys and both are coming off of 1,000-yard seasons. We know what they are capable of. I am picking Moore to win the starting role over Upshaw and Jacobs, but I think we'll see plenty of the top five receivers because they are pretty interchangeable. Wingo will also see the field a good bit, and he's not a player to sleep on.
Tight End
Elija Lofton (Jr.)
Gavin Mueller (Fr.)
Lofton has had a terrific camp and got himself in great shape to take a step forward this season. The injury of Luka Gilbert stings because he was a great run blocker. Now Owen Ruskavich will have to prove he can step into that role. Mueller has had a good camp, and he's going to get plenty of run. He'll have to continue to improve his blocker, but that should come with time.
Offensive Line
Left Tackle: Samson Okunlola (R-Jr.)
Left Guard: Seuseu Alofaituli (So.)
Center: Ryan Rodriguez (5th)
Right Guard: Jackson Cantwell (Fr.)
Right Tackle: Matthew McCoy (5th)
Backups:
Max Buchanan (So.)
Ben Congdon (Fr.)
Jamal Meriweather (R-Jr.)
There's only eight players listed right now because I think those are the eight best and if injuries happen you'll see movement on the line, (i.e. Cantwell moving from guard to a tackle spot), that will determine who steps in as a replacement. Okunlola, McCoy and Rodgriguez are basically a lock at the tackles and center position. The battle for the guard spots is something that will continue this week and each week until Cristobal and Alex Mirabal find the best combination.
Buchanan is going to be a primary rotation guard and Congdon has put together the sort of camp that makes me wonder if Miami makes him the swing tackle in this group. The true freshman from Ohio has been that good. Meriweather is another player that could jump in as a reserve guard or maybe the 4th tackle.
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