Five gamers to look at
Tyler Van Dyke
Position: Quarterback
The Buzz: After being named the ACC Rookie of the Year final season, Van Dyke is getting hyped as a possible first-round decide in subsequent yr’s NFL draft. If he lives as much as that potential, the Hurricanes will probably be primed for a stellar season.
Corey Flagg Jr.
Position: Linebacker
The Buzz: Miami must see enchancment from its linebackers. Flagg had a breakout season final yr, so if he retains bettering, it would go a good distance for UM’s revamped protection.
Tyrique Stevenson
Position: Cornerback
The Buzz: Stevenson, who transferred from Georgia earlier than the 2021 season, had a powerful season in his first yr in Coral Gables. Pro Football Focus named him the Tenth-best returning cornerback within the nation, and he ought to anchor the UM secondary.
DJ Scaife Jr.
Position: Offensive line
The Buzz: Zion Nelson will get a lot of the excitement on the UM offensive line, however Scaife could possibly be a key participant who flies underneath the radar. He will probably line up at proper sort out this season after largely taking part in proper guard final yr. Pro Football Focus graded him because the ninth-best pass-blocking certified offensive lineman final season.
Will Mallory
Position: Tight finish
The Buzz: Mallory, who was an All-ACC preseason decide, will probably be an enormous goal for Van Dyke. Expect offensive coordinator Josh Gattis to utilize the proficient tight finish room, and Mallory needs to be a beneficiary of that.
Three Crucial Games
Miami at Texas A&M, Sept. 17: After a pair of comparatively mild opponents, the Hurricanes take an enormous street journey to College Station, Texas, and face a possible SEC title contender. How Miami performs might set the tone for the remainder of the season.
Florida State at Miami, Nov. 5: Revenge is on the thoughts of some Hurricanes gamers after the Seminoles stole what would’ve been Miami’s fifth straight win within the rivalry sequence. Mario Cristobal misplaced one sport to FSU throughout his taking part in days at UM. Let’s see how he does in opposition to the ‘Noles in his first game against them as the Hurricanes’ coach.
Miami at Clemson, Nov. 19: If every thing goes proper for these applications, this sport will probably be a preview of the ACC championship sport. Media voters picked each groups to win their divisions this yr. That went poorly for the Hurricanes once they met within the convention championship in 2017. Will this yr be completely different?
Keys to the season
1. Tyler Van Dyke avoids sophomore droop
Van Dyke burst onto the scene final yr after D’Eriq King suffered a season-ending harm. He excelled underneath former offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee. Under new coordinator Josh Gattis, Van Dyke will look to take one other step ahead. After Van Dyke threw 25 touchdowns final yr, the Hurricanes’ single-season report of 29 passing touchdowns, set by Steve Walsh in 1988, is at risk of falling.
2. Tackling should enhance
Pro Football Focus rated the Hurricanes the third-worst tackling staff in FBS final yr. That can not occur once more. If Miami needs to achieve success, they should enhance on this elementary space. Miami has a totally new defensive workers, which incorporates veteran coaches like Kevin Steele (defensive coordinator), Charlie Strong (linebackers coach) and Joe Salave’a (defensive position). The Hurricanes’ protection ought to enhance underneath them this season.
3. Other receivers should step up
Miami misplaced a pair of big-time receivers within the offseason. Mike Harley Jr. and Charleston Rambo set information in Coral Gables, accounting for about 45 % of the Hurricanes’ receiving yards and 40 % of their landing catches final season. UM might want to discover gamers to fill that void. Whether its returnees Key’Shawn Smith, Jacolby George and Xavier Restrepo or newcomers like Frank Ladson Jr. and Colbie Young, Miami will want manufacturing from its receiving corps.
()
Source: www.bostonherald.com