What we’re hearing on Miami Hurricanes offense and who has stood out in camp
As the Aug. 31 Notre Dame-at-UM opener nears, here’s what we’re hearing on the Hurricanes offense and how various players have looked in closed practices, while keeping in mind that reporters are prohibited from revealing injuries and who is missing at practice:
QUARTERBACK
Carson Beck hasn’t been perfect but generally has had a very good training camp. The staff loves him for several reasons:
1). He’s smart, savvy and has good awareness; offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson knows he will run the offense how Dawson wants it to be run. If Beck checks into a different play, it usually will be a sound decision.
2). Beck’s arm strength is very good.
3). Though he’s most comfortable in the pocket at 6-4, he’s elusive enough to escape trouble and he’s difficult for defenders to bring down.
“He’s a better athlete than people give him credit for,” one UM source said. “He can throw on the run. You can roll him out. Not every play has to be a drop back.”
4). He’s battle tested, with a 24-3 record as a starter at Georgia, with 7,912 passing yards and 58 touchdowns (compared with 20 interceptions).
He’s ultimately responsible for his Southeastern Conference-leading 12 interceptions last season, but the overall career body of work (including 28 TD throws last season) has been very good. Don’t overlook that his receivers dropped 30 passes last season.
5). He has developed very good rapport with several receivers, including LSU transfer CJ Daniels and BYU transfer Keelan Marion.
One area where there must be improvement from last season at Georgia: His performance when facing a heavy pass rush; he had a 51.7 passer rating when under pressure: 27 for 70 (38.6%) with five touchdowns and five interceptions.
Here’s a lot more on Beck, his metrics and how he’s viewed by analysts.
▪ We hear No. 2 quarterback Emory Williams has been the best of the backup QBs and has generally been very accurate in practice. [Update: Williams was announced as the No. 2 quarterback on Monday morning.]
One UM source said he was much better in practice both last year and this month, than during his disappointing bowl game performance against Iowa State, which has a solid defense.
But he needs to improve his nimbleness when the pocket collapses. Williams altered his throwing motion, changed his footwork and gained 13 pounds this past offseason.
“I no longer want to be the guy that feels like I don’t belong on the field because of my athletic abilities,” he said.
▪ Freshman Luke Nickel impressed in the spring game and has had some good moments in August practices and scrimmages.
Multiple UM people described him as a gunslinger, noting his aggressive mentality and desire to push the ball downfield. He also has displayed nifty footwork in the pocket.
WIDE RECEIVER
▪ We hear Daniels, Marion and freshmen Malachi Toney and Joshua Moore have been especially impressive. Those four and Jojo Trader have made the case to be UM’s top five in whatever order, according to feedback we’ve received.
Daniels and Marion were described as reliable and mature. Marion catches passes cleanly and has excellent speed.
Though Daniels was a No. 4 receiver (playing through injury) in his one year at LSU, he has been very good during his first August camp as a Hurricane. He gets open and has a keen understanding of defenses and coverages. He has exceeded expectations to an extent.
Toney, who was dynamic in the spring game, has continued to stand out in August camp. He’s shifty, elusive and can consistently generates yards after the catch.
“Special talent, special work ethic, special DNA,” Miami coach Mario Cristobal told WQAM’s Joe Rose this past week.
Offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson said Toney has a “pretty rare… advanced ability” to read coverages as a freshman.
Daniels, Marion and Toney have earned the right to play, and Moore — the 6-4 freshman — also has made a convincing case. As one UM person put it, Moore plays to his size and knows how to operate against smaller cornerbacks. What’s more, he was timed as the fastest receiver on the team, receivers coach Kevin Beard said.
The third freshman receiver — Daylan Upshaw — has made plays throughout camp.
Trader has battled injury problems this year, but Cristobal suggested on Joe Rose’s WQAM show that he’s good to go.
Ny Carr, Tony Johnson (the Cincinnati transfer who can play outside and inside), Ray-Ray Joseph (exclusively a slot receiver) and Chance Robinson also have been competing.
TIGHT END
Elija Lofton, replacing Seattle rookie Elijah Arroyo, has been very reliable throughout camp and UM continues to use him in different ways to catch defenses off balance.
The top backup, 6-5 Alex Bauman, is prone to occasional drops but has value as a red-zone threat. Seven of his 20 catches for Tulane last season were touchdowns.
One UM person said freshman Luka Gilbert has been the most impressive of the other tight ends, but it’s close.
Gilbert made a great leaping catch in practice recently. He’s 6-7 but plays like he’s even taller than that; he has the size and skill to become an effective in-line blocker.
The other freshman, Brock Schott, can line up anywhere on the field.
UAB transfer Jack Nickel gives the Canes an effective in-line blocker who can be used selectively.
A UM source said don’t discount 6-7 walk-on Owen Ruskavich, who has become a reliable target in practice.
RUNNING BACK
Mark Fletcher Jr. almost assuredly will be the lead back when he’s available; he has dealt with injury issues in the past. Jordan Lyle and CharMar Brown have had very good camps. When all three are healthy, all will play.
Freshman Gerald Pringle Jr. has been making a strong case to be No. 4 ahead of Chris Wheatley-Humphrey.
Lyle’s speed and elusiveness were evident when he averaged 7.4 yards on 54 carries as a freshman last season. He’s in line for a bigger role.
Brown embraces contact; he can run through defenders but also has decent speed. Like Fletcher and Lyle, he’s an effective receiver out of the backfield.
The word on Pringle is that he has a patient, disciplined running style and sharp instincts for following his blockers.
OFFENSIVE LINE
The Canes are very confident that their group is going to be outstanding: Markel Bell and Francis Mauigoa at tackle, Michael McCoy and Anez Cooper at guard and James Brockermeyer at center.
Ryan Rodriguez has been challenging McCoy at left guard, and coaches have confidence in playing him heavy snaps at both guard and backup center if they need to.
One UM source said Brockermeyer, the TCU transfer, looks every bit as good at Matt Lee, who excelled for the Canes after transferring from UCF two years ago. He could be a slight upgrade over Zach Carpenter, who was solid as the Canes’ center last season.
Canes coaches love how Bell has developed at left tackle. At 6-9, playing against small players sometimes can be challenging. Can he consistently stop shifty speed rushers? UM is optimistic he can.
Rodriguez, tackle Tommy Kinsler and guard/tackle Samson Okunlola (who is much improved) are the favorites for the sixth through eighth offensive line jobs. UM feels very comfortable that it can go at least eight deep without being seriously compromised.
Coming later this week: What we’re hearing on UM’s defense.
This story was originally published August 25, 2025 at 9:54 AM.
