Miami football: First-look 2019 depth chart projections
By Joe Romano
Offense
Notable losses: Losing starting quarterback Malik Rosier will make the Hurricanes fans way more happy than sad. Rosier was solid in 2017 but his limitations ultimately handcuffed this team and there is a reason he battled N’Kosi Perry all season for a starting spot. The most felt losses on offense will be running back Travis Homer and offensive lineman Tyreek St. Louis and Tyler Gauthier. Wide receiver Darrell Langham will be missed but there are players ready to take those snaps.
QB: N’Kosi Perry, RS Sophomore | Jarren Williams, Sophomore | Cade Weldon, RS Sophomore | Tate Martell, RS Sophomore
The position that Diaz was not shy about needing to be fixed was at quarterback. Bringing in Tate Martell heats up the battle for the starting role, if he is deemed eligible. Martell has the inside track as a highly touted transfer from Ohio State with a five-star recruiting background with dual-threat ability. He fits the mold of Dan Enos offenses as well. Perry saw action as a starter a year ago and did not look ready. Williams and Weldon have yet to see meaningful action. Williams, in particular, was closer to winning the starting spot a year ago than many would have guessed. This will be the top position to keep an eye on when spring practices pick up, especially if Martell is granted eligibility.
RB: Deejay Dallas, Junior | Lorenzo Lingard, Sophomore | Cam’Ron Davis, Sophomore
Losing Travis Homer will not be felt with this stellar group returning for the Hurricanes. DeeJay Dallas will get the lead back role after rushing for over 600 yards a year ago. Dallas is the vocal leader of the team both on and off the field and should excel in a more featured role in a wide-open offense. Lingard is a former five-star recruit who ended last season early with a knee injury. He was a monster before that injury cut his season short. Davis is a player who saw spot action but impressed coaching staff all spring. Asa Martin is an Auburn transfer who will sit out 2019 but will bounce back in 2020 being a redshirt sophomore and a former top-ten running back recruit.
WR: Jeff Thomas, Junior | K.J. Osborn, Senior | Mike Harley, Junior | Mark Pope, Sophomore | Evidence Njoku, RS Sophomore | Brian Hightower, Sophomore | Dee Wiggins, Sophomore | Jeremiah Payton, Freshman
The biggest name on this list is Jeff Thomas. Thomas flirted with transferring to Illinois but Manny Diaz and the staff was able to keep him in Miami. He was the team’s leading receiver and should continue to grow into the number one role. Buffalo transfer K.J. Osborn gives the team a veteran presence on the outside after losing those types of players. Harley is a former four-star recruit who should finally see the field enough to make plays. Pope is a speedy former four-star recruit and has enthralled coaches with his speed but is inconsistent in the little things. Njoku and Hightower give this group a size element it lacks with the other players. Finally, Wiggins and Ezzard are young names that will get shots in camp to prove they belong with their older peers.
TE: Brevin Jordan, Sophomore | Will Mallory, Sophomore | Michael Irvin Jr, RS Junior | Brian Polendey, RS Sophomore | Larry Hodges, Freshman
Injuries really crippled Miami’s tight end group last year. One positive note that came away is that the team has something special in former four-star recruit Brevin Jordan. As a freshman, he led the team in every category for the tight end position. Mallory looked solid before going down with an injury later in the season. Irvin Jr. missed all of last season with a knee injury. Dan Enos offenses have utilized the tight end well. Given Jordan’s talent level, I’d expect a big season from him with this new offense and improved quarterback play.
LT: Tommy Kennedy, Senior | George Brown Jr., RS Senior | Zion Nelson, Freshman
LG: Cleveland Reed, RS Freshman | Kai-Leon Herbert, RS Sophomore
C: Corey Gaynor, RS Sophomore | Jakai Clark, Freshman
RG: Navaugh Donaldson, Junior | Bar Milo, Junior
RT: D.J. Scaife, Sophomore | Zalon’tae Hillery, RS Sophomore | John Campbell, RS Freshman
The offensive line was a mess last year and that was before the team lost three players to either graduation, the NFL draft of transferring. Luckily Diaz was able to work another transfer out of former Butler graduate Tommy Kennedy. Kennedy will step right into left tackle and be a stabilizing force for the team.
The most talented of the bunch is Donaldson who’s bounced around in his time at Miami but settled in nicely at right guard. Scaife, a highly respected recruit, looked solid in his appearance late in the season. Reed and Gaynor are unproven players who will be in battles all spring to hold onto their spots. This entire unit will need to be better than last year for Enos’ system to get going. Luckily they will benefit from that system with the quick passes, intricate play design and pre-snap formations.