The Mario Cristobal period kicks off in South Florida with one of many nation’s greatest signal-callers returning to the Miami Hurricanes. Tyler Van Dyke anchors the Canes’ roster as they give the impression of being to win the ACC Coastal in Cristobal’s first yr as head coach. Van Dyke isn’t the one college football star participant returning as James Williams has famous person potential within the secondary.
For each convention’s prime returning gamers: AAC | ACC | B1G | Big 12 | Conference USA | Independents | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | SEC | Sun Belt
High 10 returning gamers at Miami (FL)
We’re counting down all the highest 10 gamers returning to motion on each staff — we’ll take care of transfers later — from Air Power to Wyoming, from Miami to Hawaii, and all in between. Listed here are the highest returning gamers to Miami.
10) Key’Shawn Smith, WR
Breaking out a season in the past, Key’Shawn Smith is the de facto No. 1 for Van Dyke and Co. this season. He pairs with a gifted receiving corps that ought to liberate exploitable 1-on-1 matchups for him downfield. Smith is quick and has crisp routes at each degree. He additionally has a few of the prime highlight-reel catching talents and a few of the convention’s greatest physique management.
9) Kamren Kinchens, S
It was a terrific first season for the Miami safeties as Kamren Kinchens exceeded expectations a yr in the past. Kinchens completed fourth on the staff with 44 tackles whereas chipping in with 4 go breakups. He was terrific within the dashing sport however was at his greatest when he was in a position to cowl receivers 1-on-1. Kinchens limits not solely receptions however any yards after the catch equally as effectively.
8) Corey Flagg Jr., LB
Main the staff in tackles final yr, Corey Flagg Jr. was a defensive stalwart in 2021. Flagg ripped by way of for 60 complete tackles, main the staff in each complete takedowns and solo tackles (35). He mans the center but once more the place he’ll as soon as once more blow up dashing lanes, cowl beneath receivers, and be a menace to the offense.
7) Tyrique Stevenson, CB
Even with a late-season harm, Tyrique Stevenson was one of many convention’s greatest cowl corners. He restricted practically all the pieces in his protection, sticking with receivers of every kind. He made an interception, half a dozen compelled incompletions, and completed with 4 go breakups on the season. Smith is a big cornerback with misleading pace, a lot to maintain up with even the quickest receivers whereas his physicality will bully smaller go catchers.
6) Jaylan Knighton, RB
The Rooster is again as Jaylan Knighton returns to blow by defenders or simply merely depart them grabbing for air. Knighton is without doubt one of the nation’s most elusive working backs each together with his pace and his one-step chopping potential that sees him truly speed up by way of his breaks. He’s a terrific go catcher and has loads of potential to create yards on his personal each within the open discipline and thru the tackles.
5) Will Mallory, TE
With an underrated potential after the catch, Will Mallory has confirmed to be an important all-around risk at tight finish. He’ll stick in go safety very effectively, however his bread and butter is definitely on the receiving finish of Van Dyke passes at each degree of the sector. As soon as he’s within the open discipline, Mallory is a tough man to carry down together with his elusiveness and sheer energy by way of a lot smaller defensive backs.
4) DJ Scaife Jr., OL
Flipping again to the best deal with position this fall, DJ Scaife Jr. performed very effectively as soon as he was entrenched in his position at proper guard final season. Again to his preliminary place with Miami, Scaife can make the most of his power on the level of contact and his super stability to maintain clear pockets for Van Dyke in 2022. He’s improved each season since stepping foot on campus, and he’ll pair together with his bookend deal with to create one of many prime deal with duos within the nation.
3) Zion Nelson, OT
Proving his 2020 season was no fluke, Zion Nelson improved in each aspect in 2021. Like many on this Miami staff final yr, Nelson improved because the season went on. He was terrific within the run sport, transferring laterally very effectively.
But, Nelson was at his greatest in go safety as soon as Van Dyke was his quarterback. He dominates smaller edge rushers together with his dimension and has greater than sufficient pace to maneuver with even the speediest of rushers.
2) James Williams, S
Regardless of the place he performs, James Williams is the participant to observe on this Hurricanes’ protection. Williams, standing at an enormous 6’5″, 224 kilos, is a mammoth of a person who performs like a missile being launched into orbit.
Whether or not he’s a free security, allowed to roam free and blast go catchers, or as far inside as strongside linebacker, Williams has famous person potential. A clear invoice of well being in 2022 and we’ll be placing Williams’ identify on each preseason watch record subsequent season.
1) Tyler Van Dyke, QB
The person who might probably rewrite the Miami historical past books, Tyler Van Dyke is an important and greatest participant returning to the Canes in 2022. Van Dyke was super a season in the past, lighting the scoreboard up for two,931 yards and 25 touchdowns regardless of not incomes the full-time beginning position till Week 5.
TVD effortlessly hits each degree of the sector and confirmed development together with his progressive reads because the season went on. He’s a candidate for prime participant within the convention and a darkhorse for the Heisman if issues fall in place correctly.
Honorable point out gamers returning to Miami in 2022
- Romello Brinson, WR
- Xavier Restrepo, WR
- Jakai Clark, C
- Al Blades Jr., CB
- Avantae Williams, S
- Andres Borregales, PK
- Lou Hedley, P
