3 Reasons to be Optimistic about Miami Football in 2024
Gloom, despair, and agony. Miami football fans have plenty of reasons to be down at the start of the new year. The 2024 season is almost here.
The new 12-team CFB Playoff era in 2024 will be without divisions in the ACC, and there will be three new teams: Stanford, SMU, and California.
It’s easy to be a Debbie Downer at the dawn of 2024, but the offseason is no time to be pessimistic. Allow me to share a few reasons why you should be excited to watch the Hurricanes in Mario Cristobal’s 3rd season.
Francis Maugioa
I mean, come on. Just look at the guy. He makes Joe Saliva look like a defensive line coach for ants.
Francis Mauigoa led the country in true freshman snaps on the offensive line, playing 800 snaps at right tackle.
Mauigoa’s best performance in a game came in the regular season finale as he did not allow a pressure or a sack while grading out with a 76.2 run blocking grade. He also did not allow a pressure or a sack against the athletic defensive front of Clemson.
Mauigoa never allowed more than one sack in a single game.
Miami Might have the Best Rush Defense in College Football
The Hurricanes’ rush defense ranked 11th in 2023, allowing 3.3 yards per carry. Kiko Maugioa is also arguably the best run-stuffing inside linebacker in the ACC. He is playing behind a defensive line that is filled with experience.
And with Miami signing serval 5-star players in the class of the 2024 class I think Miami will be just fine at this position.
Miami Run Game Is Going to Be ‘Nightmare Fuel’ Against ACC Teams
Offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson is quickly emerging as one of the top offensive play-callers in college football.
Miami Hurricanes will have everyone back from last season besides Donald Chaney Jr, Henry Parrish and Tre’Vonte Citizen. which he transferred, Chaney went to the Louisville Cardinals, and Henry went back to Ole MIss.
For that the Canes went and got one of the best running backs in colllege football with Damien Martinez in the back field.
The Hurricanes also return Mark Fletcher will be ready to go by week one and same as Ajay Allen. but there is some very good young talent in the room. Thanks to a strong recruiting effort in the 2024 cycle, Shannon Dawson has a clear succession plan at running back.
Jordan Lyle is a top-150 recruiting win out of STA. The four-star recruit racked up 113 attempts, 1,259 yards, an 11.1 average, and 20 touchdowns. Lyle is also responsible for 12 receptions, 157 yards, and an 11.2 average, in his high school season
Canes also added Chris Weathley-Humphrey.
Trinton is the owner of CanesToday. He writes for all sports, with a focus on football and recruiting, he is a freshman in high school and wants to graduate from the University of Miami
