Two five-stars, Alabama starter, UCF standout and veteran beef: Miami O-line could thrive
Matt Lee had no doubts. The 21-year-old former UCF star center earned his undergraduate degree in integrated studies, then left Orlando and headed a few hours down the road to the University of Miami in Coral Gables.
By Jan. 17, he was at the U, where he will be part of the transformation of what in 2022 was a struggling shell of itself after multiple debilitating injuries, to, judging by the current lineup, a potential 2023 national strength.
“I’m from Orlando, I’m from Florida,’’ said Lee, a graduate student listed as 6-4 and 295 pounds, Thursday after UM’s third spring practice. “So, growing up, you know Miami, you know the U, you know the history. It has always been that kind of place that I wanted to be a part of. And then after getting to know Coach [Mario] Cristobal , [offensive line coach Alex] Mirabal, what they’re all about, what they’re like as men, their energy, how they come to work every day, push you, grind hard, never stop working — that’s what I want to be a part of.”
Four former UM starters have departed, including one, tackle John Campbell, who transferred to Tennessee and another, center Jakai Clark, announcing his commitment last month to SMU . But even more linemen joined the Canes.
Lee, a second-team All-American Athletic Conference honoree and Pro Football Focus’s third-highest graded center nationally in 2022, is thrilled to be a cog in the expected change in Miami’s offense, starting at the top with Cristobal’s hiring of new coordinator Shannon Dawson.
Cristobal, an elite recruiter and former UM national champion tackle who helps coach the line with his close friend Mirabal, did an exemplary job along with his assistants in landing not only Lee, but Alabama transfer Javion Cohen, the former ‘Bama starting guard and projected high-round draft choice.
Five-star gems
Cristobal also lured two of the top high school tackles in the country: 6-6, 315-pound five-star signee/early enrollee Francis Mauigoa out of Bradenton IMG Academy, and 6-6, 300-pound five-star signee/early enrollee Samson Okunlola, also from IMG Academy.
Add to that talented 6-5, 330-pound fourth-year veteran Jalen Rivers, now healed and shifted from left guard to left tackle (to allow Cohn to slip into his usual left guard spot); and extremely large right guard Anez Cooper (who said Thursday he’s 6-5 and 348 pounds) and you’ve got the makings of a beefy, formidable line.
And that’s not counting 6-5, 307-pound tackle Zion Nelson, who before a knee injury kept him out almost all last season, was projected as a first-round draft choice if he left after 2022. Nelson is still dealing with a physical issue and hasn’t participated in spring. When he returns, he could jump into a tackle spot.
On Thursday, Mauigoa lined up with the first team at right tackle to begin practice, with Okunlola at second-team left tackle.
“It’s awesome,’’ Lee said of Cristobal’s individual instruction. “That’s pretty unique. I don’t know how many times that happens across the country, how many head coaches were former O-linemen at a level like this back when [they were] playing. But the extra attention he gives, I’ve never really had that in my career.”
Rivers, who spoke last week, indicated the addition of Cohen, Lee, Mauigoa and Sampson will “create a powerful offense.’’
“They’re phenomenal,’’ Rivers said, noting that like previous years, everyone was experimenting with other positions.
‘Positivity, energy’
Rivers said the spring “is all about keeping that positivity and energy.’’ He didn’t appear fazed by all the offseason changes. “I mean, it’s a business,’’ Rivers said. “New people come in and you gotta learn and adapt, get to know them. Because it’s another day, a new year. We gotta push forward so we’re not thinking about last year.”
Last season, Miami ranked 100th of 131 FBS teams for sacks allowed (36). The Canes ranked 109th nationally, tied with Virginia Tech, by allowing three sacks per game.
The Canes offense was ranked 60th nationally in passing (239 yards per game) and 96th in the run game (128.1 yards).
Cooper, who played at Pleasant Grove High in Alabama at about 400 pounds, has slimmed down about 50 pounds, but still looks like a giant. He was forced to start four of the last five games in 2022 because of injuries to other linemen, and indicated Thursday he is far more confident this spring.
“Last year, me being a freshman, I didn’t really know what to do,’’ Cooper said. “I [was] trying to listen to all them older guys telling me what to do. Now I feel like I can go out and know all the plays.’’
Cooper said new OC Dawson “makes everything easier for us to understand,’’ and praised Lee as a future “great leader.’’
“He’s very vocal,’’ Cooper said. “He’ll come to the line and call everything for everybody to do”
Lee is embracing his leadership role.
“One hundred percent,’’ Lee said. “As a veteran, a guy that has played a lot of football, and as the center, you have to be a leader. I think with what I can bring from the intellect side onto the football field, and just the veteranship that I do have, I absolutely want to be a leader.
“I’m being a leader right now.”
▪ The Hurricanes are now off for spring break. Their next practice, the fourth of 15 spring sessions, is scheduled for Tuesday, March 21. Unless otherwise noted, practices are closed to the public.
This story was originally published March 9, 2023 at 4:27 PM.
