Class is in session as Alex Mirabal identifies Miami Hurricanes’ top offensive linemen
The University of Miami doesn’t officially begin the fall semester until Aug. 19.
But for the Hurricanes’ offensive line, class is already in session — and it’s a month-long crash course on everything they’ll need to be ready for the season opener against the Florida Gators on Aug. 31.
“This ain’t pre-algebra,” Hurricanes offensive line coach Alex Mirabal said after practice Wednesday, Miami’s first in full pads. “This is calculus right now. Typically, as an offensive line coach, I’ll coach to the lowest denominator in the room. When we start fall camp, I’m not.”
While the Hurricanes’ season opener is still three-and-a-half weeks away, things are already starting to become very real for Mirabal. When the season begins, he needs to have identified his core of eight to 10 offensive linemen who can be relied on in a game setting to keep quarterback Cam Ward upright and pave the way for the run game.
“Our job,” Mirabal said, “is we’re trying to get ‘Who are the best five?’ and then ‘Who are the next best five?’ and so on down the line.”
Now, a few players seem to be locks even if their not all positions are completely set.
Fifth-year junior Jalen Rivers is at left tackle. Redshirt senior and Indiana transfer Zach Carpenter is at center. Junior Anez Cooper should be the primary right guard, although Cooper said he’s also taking reps at left guard and right tackle.
From there, both redshirt freshman Samson Okunola and sophomore Francis Mauigoa are getting reps at both left guard and right tackle. Mirabal on Wednesday said redshirt sophomores Matt McCoy and Ryan Rodriguez have also gotten reps with the first team at left guard.
“They all fit in the puzzle,” Mirabal said.
Mauigoa and Cooper both said the cross-training among different positions during camp will be pivotal for the offensive line throughout the season.
“There are guys that can play all positions,” said Mauigoa, who noted he is also getting some reps at center. “It’s really next one up. It’s not really like if our left guard goes down, we need to find another left guard. There’s a lot of guys that know how to play left guard. That’s how depth grows.”
Added Cooper: “You never know when somebody will go down and somebody’s gotta go replace somebody’s spot. Plus, us cross-training helps us know what the other side what the other side [of the line] has to do and what the center has to do. It helps build those connections.”
If the process works out correct, it will all lead to a common goal for the offensive line: Putting Ward in the best position to lead an offense that had oodles of potential. It’s why Mirabal can’t sugarcoat or simplify the processes throughout camp. He needs everyone to elevate their game.
“The other guys just have to catch up,” Mirabal said. “Why? Because I’ve got to catch up to Cam Ward. It’s a little bit of a different dynamic when you have a veteran at quarterback who can check to something that isn’t going to be in [practices] until Day 3 or Day 4. It’s been awesome and they’ve been swimming along. They’re gonna rise to the level of expectation.”
More Mirabal highlights
▪ On facing the Hurricanes’ defensive line every day at practice: “Our defensive line is salty now, so if you even think about your mind going somewhere else, they will get after you.”
Mirabal specifically pointed out Akheem Mesidor, who only played three games last season due to injury, as the player having “as good a camp of anybody in any position in our program.”
“As an offensive lineman, you better come ready to block him,” Mirabal said, “because if not, that joker is gonna embarrass you.”
▪ While Rodriguez has only played in seven games during his UM tenure, Mirabal remains high on the interior offensive lineman, who can play both center and guard.
“I can tell you that he is a guy that is ready to go,” Mirabal said. “He could start here and he could start at any other ACC program at guard or center. I am so happy for him and proud of him. He has come a long way from two and a half yeas ago. He has reshaped his body and he is a lot stouter. He is a really tough kid and a really sneaky good athlete. His future here at Miami is bright.”
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