Miami’s Diaz has made the transfer portal work, but grass isn’t always greener
It’s no revelation that Miami coach Manny Diaz has made the NCAA’s transfer portal work in game-changing ways for the Hurricanes.
The list goes on and on, from, in no particular order, defensive ends Jaelan Phillips and Quincy Roche to kicker Jose Borregales to quarterback D’Eriq King to receiver KJ Osborn to safety Bubba Bolden — and most recently to cornerback Tyrique Stevenson, defensive end Deandre Johnson, offensive lineman Justice Oluwaseun and receiver Charleston Rambo.
On Wednesday, the 6-1, 185-pound Rambo — a redshirt junior who transferred this season from Oklahoma — was added to the watch list for the Biletnikoff Award honoring the nation’s top pass catcher. He leads Miami in catches (51), receiving yards (650) and receiving touchdowns (four) and is averaging 81.2 receiving yards per contest.
But the NCAA is allowing players a one-time transfer opportunity without having to sit out the customary season, so more and more of them will be looking for new homes. On Tuesday, UM second-year freshman defensive lineman Quentin Williams of Charlotte, North Carolina, entered the portal. He played in only one game this season against Central Connecticut State and recorded no stats. Last season he played in two games and had three tackles and half a tackle for loss.
Also having left the team in hopes to transfer this season were receivers Dee Wiggins and Mark Pope, as well as defensive tackle Jalar Holley (Charlotte) and defensive end Cameron Williams.
Coach Manny Diaz was asked during a Zoom videoconference Wednesday what his feeling is about young players leaving while in the early stages of learning and development. Keep in mind that just because a player enters the portal, doesn’t mean he will find a home.
“There are going to be a lot more people [in] it than there are going to be spots,’’ Diaz said. “We still don’t have any legislation that will allow us to get our [scholarship numbers back] to 85 [to replace all the departing players]. And that goes across the board. So, we’re all going to live through this new time together and see what happens.
“College football is still a player development job, especially for the big guys. It’s tough because you want to develop guys. You want to see them improve and we may not be very old next year.’’
Do young players who transfer believe the grass-is-greener concept?
“No one even knows what grass you’re talking about,’’ Diaz said. “That’s really the issue. Where would you even be able to go is really the trick.... So, we try to educate our guys, very similar to going pro, try to give them the data of who’s been in the portal, who has matriculated, what Power 5 transfers stayed in the Power 5, what Power 5 transfers have gone to the FCS, what Power 5 transfers end up with nothing.
“All we can do is educate.”
More from Diaz
▪ Diaz said starting running back Jaylan Knighton wore a red noncontact jersey in practice this week to help keep his body from getting overly worn down as the season gets into November. “Obviously we’re pretty thin on offense.’’ He said freshman Cody Brown will continue to get more carries.
▪ Diaz said second-year freshman safety Avantae Williams, who was suspended the first six games of the season, will play more snaps Saturday against Georgia Tech.
▪ Diaz reiterated that the NCAA’s decision to reprimand Miami for violating the headset/communications rule, which will result in the Canes having five fewer headsets or communication devices Saturday, “won’t affect us at all.’’
This story was originally published November 3, 2021 at 1:46 PM.
