Which Hurricanes could become first-time, breakout contributors? Here are 6 names to know
.JPG "From left to right: Miami Hurricanes cornerback Isaiah Dunson (29), wide receiver Romello Brinson (0) and defensive back Markeith Williams (18) run drills at the University of Miamis Greentree Practice Fields on Monday, Aug. 8, 2022, in Coral Gables, Fla.")
With eight starters gone from their final game of the 2022 college football season, the Miami Hurricanes will look quite a bit different when they open their new season Saturday against the FCS Bethune-Cookman Wildcats in Miami Gardens.
Some of those departed starters will be replaced by players returning from injury, like Jalen Rivers at left guard and Tyrique Stevenson at cornerback. Others will have their spots filled by transfers, like perhaps two or three different defensive linemen.
Still, a fresh set of eyes with a new coaching staff and the natural year-over-year churn of a college roster mean there will be a chance for plenty of Hurricanes to emerge as first-time contributors this season, and some of the names frequently brought up in this category are somewhat surprising.
Malik Curtis
Class: Sophomore.
What he did last year: Played in eight games, mostly on special teams, and had two tackles.
Where he could play: Cornerback, perhaps fourth or fifth on the depth chart behind Stevenson, DJ Ivey and Te’Cory Couch.
Whom he’ll help replace: Cornerback Marcus Clarke, who entered the transfer portal Aug. 20 and landed with the Missouri Tigers.
Why he can help: Wide receiver Xavier Restrepo said Curtis is “always the fastest player on the field” and his confidence at corner is improved because last year was the first time he strictly focused on defense, following a stellar two-way career at Fort Myers Bishop Verot.
Jaden Harris
Class: Freshman.
What he did last year: Went to high school at Riverwood in Sandy Springs, Georgia.
Where he could play: “Star,” where there’s no clear backup to defensive back Gilbert Frierson.
Whom he’ll replace: Amari Carter, who moved from safety to striker last year in his final season of eligibility.
Whey he can help: Even though he was only a three-star cornerback in the 247Sports composite rankings for the Class of 2022, Harris impressed coaches and teammates with his work ethic throughout camp, and coach Mario Cristobal made sure to list him as one of the freshmen capable of contributing at the start of the season, saying, “He pops.” At 6-foot and 195 pounds, the defensive back is built similarly to the way Frierson was when he got to Miami as a four-star cornerback back in the Class of 2018.
Michael Redding III
Class: Redshirt freshman.
What he did last year: Played in four games before season-ending injury.
Where he could play: Outside wide receiver, where the Hurricanes lack any real experience beyond Key’Shawn Smith.
Whom he’ll replace: Wide receiver Charleston Rambo, who’s now trying to catch on in the NFL.
Why he can help: Redding might be the most intelligent player on the team, which should translate to reliability. Restrepo said, “He’s very on top of everything he does and I trust him a lot. I trust him that if I’m running some type of out route or something like that, he’s going to block for me.”
Romello Brinson
Class: Sophomore.
What he did last year: Caught seven passes for 90 yards and one highlight-reel touchdown against the FCS Central Connecticut State Blue Devils.
Where he could play: Outside wide receiver.
Whom he’ll replace: Rambo.
Why he can help: Cristobal said the wide receivers have come on strong during the final days of the preseason and he mentioned Brinson’s “big-play ability” as part of what’s standing out. Although Cristobal said the sophomore is still “inconsistent,” Brinson could give Miami some of the jump-ball ability it lost with Rambo’s departure.
Nyjalik Kelly
Class: Freshman.
What he did last year: Went to high school at Dillard in Fort Lauderdale.
Where he could play: Defensive end, probably as a rotational piece.
Whom he’ll replace: Zach McCloud and Deandre Johnson, who are now trying to catch on as linebackers in the NFL.
Why he can help: While defensive line might be the deepest position on the team, Kelly is clearly the freshman doing the most to impress coaches. Defensive linemen Jahfari Harvey, Chantz Williams, Mitchell Agude and Akheem Mesidor are clearly ahead of Kelly for now, but the Hurricanes want to rotate a ton and Cristobal said Kelly is ready to contribute. The coach said, “Kelly’s a guy that has really continued to improve, not only in the way that he takes in the system, but the way he’s playing, the type of effort he’s playing with, the use of his hands, the understanding of the scheme. We’ve just got to keep pushing him. It’s what he wants, it’s what he deserves.”
Wesley Bissainthe
Class: Freshman.
What he did last year: Went to high school at Miami Central.
Where he could play: Linebacker, at first as a rotational piece and maybe later he’ll fight for a starting job.
Whom he’ll replace: No one; the linebackers are still just unproven.
Why he can help: Bissainthe was the biggest linebacker recruit the Hurricanes landed since the Class of 2017, when they brought in McCloud, and fellow linebackers Shaquille Quarterman and Michael Pinckney. Miami also clearly felt the need to try to upgrade at the position when they added linebacker Caleb Johnson as a transfer from the UCLA Bruins. Still, the Hurricanes could go into the season with linebackers Corey Flagg Jr. and Waynmon Steed as the starters once again. There’s a clear opening for Bissainthe if he can prove he’s an improvement on the current, underwhelming crop. Cristobal said Bissainthe will “contribute a bunch.”
