Updates on how the Miami Hurricanes’ running backs and tight end rooms are looking
There’s no disputing that the Miami Hurricanes have very good starters at running back (Mark Fletcher Jr.) and tight end (emerging Elija Lofton).
There’s no disputing that they have highly-regarded young talent behind each of them – Jordan Lyle and freshman Girard Pringle Jr., in particular, at running back and freshmen Brock Schott and Luka Gilbert at tight end.
The question is whether there is quite enough quality veteran depth on the roster should the team suffer a major injury to the top players at either position.
Following the departures of NFL-bound Damien Martinez and FIU’s Ajay Allen, there are only four scholarship running backs on UM’s roster: Fletcher, Lyle, Pringle and Chris Wheatley-Humphrey.
There are more bodies on scholarship at tight end, with transfers Alex Bauman and Jack Nickel joining Lofton and the two freshmen. (Jackson Carver is out with a longterm injury.)
The question is whether UM has enough good players ready to contribute now if there are injuries to Lofton or Bauman, a skilled receiving tight end who had 63 catches for 610 yards and 13 TDs in 39 games over three seasons at Tulane. A lot will depend on how the four other tight ends develop this spring, which concludes with the April 12 on-campus spring game.
UM is hopeful that Lofton’s diverse skill set, speed and receiving abilities will compensate for the loss of NFL-bound Elijah Arroyo. Lofton had nine catches for 150 yards and two carries for 30 yards as a freshman and was used in multiple roles.
“I’ve told a lot of people this: He is the most unique player I’ve ever coached at this point in my career,” UM tight ends coach Cody Woodiel said of Lofton, raising comparisons to former UM tight end Brevin Jordan.
“Athletically he’s blessed. He’s a Swiss army knife, creates a lot of different matchup [problems]. He’s as strong as they come. It’s going to be a fun year for him, I think.”
Bauman isn’t nearly as skilled a blocker as the departing Cam McCormick but is a much better receiver and red zone threat. He should become a solid No. 2 behind Lofton.
“The veteran leadership we were losing with Arroyo and Cam McCormick, Alex obviously having almost 2,000 snaps of college football,” Woodiel said. “He comes and stabilizes the room a little bit with a bunch of young guys.
“He’s brought very good veteran, professional leadership to the room. And obviously he’s a very productive player, too. We’re looking forward to him continuing to build and develop. He’s just now scratching the surface with us.”
Bauman, who has one year of eligibility remaining, called his blocking footwork at Tulane “Swiss cheese” but noted that Woodiel is teaching him to become more proficient in that area.
Nickel - brother of UM freshman quarterback Luke Nickel - had one catch for six yards in limited playing time for UAB last season. He is battling to be the top backup in-line blocker.
“Jack is a hammer,” Woodiel said. “He gets in there and gets after it. Jack so far has been such an awesome add in the room. He’s another veteran guy, brings the leadership guys you’re looking for.”
As for the freshmen Schott and Gilbert, Woodiel said:
“Their [upside] is as high as they want it to be. They check all the boxes. They are very young, have to understand how to play football at this level from all the technical and fundamental aspects.”
At running back, another player might be added in the second portal cycle that begins in mid-April. For now, walk-on Terrell Walden stands as the No. 5 back.
Running backs coach Matt Merritt said five is the ideal number of backs but a decision on whether to add someone in the portal will be made after spring practice.
Fletcher, who shared the load with Martinez last season, “really reshaped his body, which has been good,” Merritt said. “This is his first spring ball [that he’s not injured]. That’s huge for him in his development. He’s trying to take a lot of steps in the leadership part, which he has.”
Pringle, an early enrollee, is poised to make an early impact.
“He’s picked up the offense pretty well,” Merritt said. “Still getting used to the speed, understanding that`I can’t just outrun everybody, have to run between the tackles, make my reads.’ But it’s been positive so far.”
And Wheatley-Humphrey will compete for the No. 3 job in the months ahead after appearing in just one game and redshirting as a freshman.
“Being 170 last spring and now almost 200 pounds, huge difference,” Merritt said. “He feels it, too. He’s still getting used to running with the extra weight.”
This story was originally published March 27, 2025 at 1:49 PM.
