Miami Hurricanes 2024 Preview: Year Three of the Cristobal Era

Miami, Florida – Welcome aboard ladies and gentlemen to the latest preview of the Miami Hurricanes 2024 football season and the third year of Mario Cristobal. The hype train will soon leave the station with its next stop being “The Swamp” beginning a long journey with the lofty hope it ends at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia for a shot at the national championship.  The high level of excitement heading into the ’24 campaign has not been seen in years. However, it does bring caveats. Hype breeds expectation and there’s plenty of both for the Hurricanes.

For a quick refresher, the Canes experienced a very disappointing season finishing 7-6 overall including a 3-5 conference record and yet another bowl game loss continuing the postseason drought. Impressive wins over Texas A&M and Clemson were overshadowed by too many losses particularly the embarrassing defeat to Georgia Tech. Tyler Van Dyke regressed rapidly before our eyes hamstringing an otherwise formidable offense resulting in the debacles that followed from Week 5 onwards.

10. DAYS. OUT.#GoCanes pic.twitter.com/lQ8k10M4cy

— Miami Hurricanes Football (@CanesFootball) August 21, 2024

This is a pivotal year for both coach Mario Cristobal and the program. UM retained many of its key players while hitting the transfer portal luring some of the best talent the NCAA has to offer. The team bolstered itself to check in at No. 19 in the preseason rankings with some predicting an appearance in the expanded college football playoff. The sentiment is anything less than a 10-win season is considered a failure, one Cristobal cannot afford in his third season at Coral Gables. Splitting this into two parts, the offense will get the honors.

Oh captain my captain

What better way to start the preview than with the signal caller himself? Cameron Ward declined to join the NFL, instead bringing his talents to South Florida. Without taking a snap, Ward has been named Preseason ACC Player of the Year showing his raw talent. The former Cougar also earned several other accolades landing on the watch lists for the 2024 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, the Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award, the Maxwell Award, and the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award.

“You cannot have an impact on the entire building the way he has unless you are the way he is. Genuine. Real. Tough,” Cristobal said. “And he plays quarterback like a linebacker. That’s the bottom line.”

I need Cam Ward in Scarlet and Grey like I need air to breathe pic.twitter.com/dlOe1nxJoE

— Rob (@Quintorris_) December 5, 2023

Cam Ward ended his 2023 season throwing for 3,735 yards, 25 touchdowns, and seven interceptions compiling eight more TDs on the ground. In his two years at Washington State Ward threw for 6,963 yards with 48 touchdowns. Aside from the high-quality athleticism, the quarterback brings two key ingredients to the mix: Leadership and a high football IQ. Both will be needed if this team wants to return to the old glory the program is known for.

Owing to coach Cristobal’s efforts the Canes have Reese Poffenbarger as backup adding significant depth. Transferring from Albany, Poffenbarger led the Great Danes and the FCS with 3,614 passing yards and 36 touchdowns. Now that he’s no longer in Division Two, the hope is that Poffenbarger can step in if needed. Miami also has Emory Williams who’s on the 2024 Comeback Player of the Year Award watchlist. For those who may not remember, Williams beat Clemson in his first career start.

Marching down the field

Switching to the backfield, a trio of players should delight the fans. Comprising two familiar faces and a very significant transfer, the Hurricanes’ ground game will be one to watch. Ajay Allen made a splash last season recording 361 yards and five rushing touchdowns. He averaged 5.2 yards a carry, that’s explosive. Now, as a red-shirt sophomore, we can expect further growth from him. Mark Fletcher Jr., meanwhile, hopes to be ready and healthy for the upcoming season. He returns after rushing for 514 yards including five TDs averaging 4.9 yards a carry making the sophomore another potent tool in the arsenal. Fletcher went down with a serious foot injury in the Pinstripe Bowl.

6-man Washington front.

Damien Martinez presses hole behind Fuaga, sets up WILL with stutter step outside.

Then pummels current teammate Meesh Powell.

This kid is special. pic.twitter.com/WrvMJslGpr

— Jeremy Marks-Peltz (@JMP1063) August 5, 2024

Saving the best for last, the Canes will have a brand new RB1 in the form of Damien Martinez. Touted as one of the best running backs in the nation, Martinez was the top available player in the portal transferring from Oregon State. The junior rushed for 1,185 yards last year finding the endzone nine times. Martinez had six 100-yard games in 2023. He chose Miami buying into coach Shannon Dawson and Cristobal’s message loving the offense’s explosive potential. With the loss of Henry Parrish and Don Chaney Jr., Martinez easily fills in the void and then some.

Airing it out

Moving on to the wide receivers, Ward has plenty to choose from. Miami may have lost Colby Young and Breshard Smith but they still have their top wideout Xavier Restrepo. X was phenomenal last year wracking up over 1,000 receiving yards recording nearly 13 yards a catch. Jacolby George wasn’t far off the 1,000-yard mark either. George, like X, has earned praise from both the coaches and fellow teammates like Martinez. Last year he caught for 864 yards averaging over 15 yards a catch. Imagine the connections he’ll make with Ward.

Miami's offense rumbles to life late in Q1. Started with a big 48-yard connection from Van Dyke to Xavier Restrepo ending with a nice throw to Colbie Young. 10-7 Aggies.#GoCanespic.twitter.com/SCkpcaxLf6

— Gabriel Garcia (@Gabewritesports) September 9, 2023

The unit is further reinforced with Sam Brown. Reaching into the portal once more as part of a 24-hour whirlwind of moves that acquired Martinez and linebacker Jaylin Alderman, Brown was the top WR available. The Houston transfer recorded 815 yards on 62 receptions including three touchdowns bringing great hands and good size to the air game. His arrival bumped down Isaiah Horton who is looking to build on the 2023 season. With all hands on deck, Horton is ready to contribute after compiling 13 passes for 168 yards and one touchdown. Inconsistency plagued the redshirt sophomore and Horton intends to trend upward in a crowded field.

Per @GabyUrrutia247, former Houston WR Sam Brown is expected to visit Miami this weekend.

Brown put up a couple outstanding plays on film vs. Texas this year, including this 50+ yard catch and run.

Watch Brown bluff setting the rub to get himself wide open. pic.twitter.com/eNegqex85T

— Jeremy Marks-Peltz (@JMP1063) April 23, 2024

Now for the Tightends. In 2024 the position was irrelevant. Accounting for a paltry 18 catches, 154 yards, and one receiving touchdown, they were relegated to mere blocking duties. Suffice it to say, that Will Mallory was greatly missed. Cam McCormick returns for an unprecedented ninth season of college football joined by Elijah Arroyo who’s back from injury. True freshman Elijah Lofton is in the mix. Lofton is a former four-star out of Bishop Gorman expected to make an immediate impact. Sophomore Riley Williams rounds out the group.

Battle in the trenches

Of course, none of this potent firepower will mean much if the Hurricanes don’t win in the trenches. The foundation of any march down the field, Ward and company will have quite the wall. Jalen Rivers and Anez Cooper will be the veteran familiars joined by redshirt senior transfer Zach Carpenter. The starting center spent a season at Michigan then three years at Indiana appearing in 27 games, 25 of those starts. Most of those were at center with five at right guard. Carpenter has already constructed great chemistry with the rest of the line, an essential element to success.

Matt Lee was a huge weapon on tunnel screens because of his athleticism in space.

Zach Carpenter acquits himself reasonably well here, although you would have liked to see him get more physical with Mishael Powell (#0). pic.twitter.com/NDxkHc47F3

— Jeremy Marks-Peltz (@JMP1063) April 15, 2024

Matthew McCoy looks to secure his spot at left guard with Ryan Rodriguez and Francis Mauigoa seen as options. Offensive line coach Alex Mirabal said Rodriguez can start on any ACC team. Redshirt freshman Samson Okunlola played three games this past season gaining an extra year of eligibility. Okunlola has been recovering from a knee injury sustained last year. He is on the outside looking in regarding the starting gig. Luis Cristobal, Markel Bell, Antonio Tripp, and Tommy Kinsler can see playing time due to the wear and tear of the position. Stay tuned for Part 2!