Hurricanes trim roster as several players depart. And Canes looking for the right WR
Sunday was the final day that FBS or Division I college players in any sport could inform their schools that they’re entering the transfer portal and still maintain eligibility to play during the 2022-23 academic year.
And at least four Miami Hurricanes football players exercised that option in recent days, according to multiple reports. There might be additional players who also are entering the portal, but their identity isn’t yet publicly known, because it can take a couple of days for names to be processed and officially listed on the transfer portal.
According to multiple reports, receiver Daz Worsham, linebacker Deshawn Troutman, defensive Cameron Williams and punter Nelson Foley all entered the portal.
Linebacker Tyler Johnson also entered the portal, according to Canesport.com. But the school did not confirm that or confirm the identify of any players who have entered the portal in recent days.
Offensive tackle Issiah Walker, who transferred to UM months after signing with Florida in 2020, is expected to leave the program. He missed spring practice and former UM offensive line coach Garin Justice said after the season that he was dealing with a personal issue.
Still unclear is the fate of a few other offensive linemen who missed spring practice or did not challenge for playing time.
The May 1 deadline (for fall and winter sports) applies to transfer student-athletes looking to use the “uniform transfer exception.” Miami student-athletes are not exempt from the May 1 deadline even though there was a coaching change.
However, should any student athletes present mitigating circumstances as grounds to transfer, they could enter the portal after May 1 and still be eligible next season. The same would go for potential incoming transfers. The fact that UM has a new head coach (Mario Cristobal) wouldn’t necessarily qualify as a mitigating circumstance to apply for a post May 1 waiver. But it could be used in an attempt to transfer and play immediately.
The Canes entered last week with 89 scholarship players, four above the permitted limit. The recent subtractions will get them at least to 84, perhaps lower.
The Canes would like to create a bit of roster flexibility so that they will have the ability to add any transfer portal options who interest them. UM would like to add a receiver if the right one becomes available, according to a source.
Several top Power 5 receivers reportedly entered the portal on Monday, but none of those names would be difference makers at UM, or necessarily crack the rotation. That group includes Rutgers’ Ahmirr Robinson (no catches last season) and Texas receivers Kelvontay Dixon (nine catches for 100 yards last season) and Texas’ Dajon Harrison (no catches last season).
SMU’s Tyler Page (65 catches, 862 yards, four touchdowns in four seasons) also entered the portal.
Pitt star receiver Jordan Addison reportedly is expected to transfer to Southern Cal, with a large NIL deal rumored to be in the offing.
Worsham arrived at UM as a three-year prospect who had 26 offers, including one from Alabama. But he never made a catch in very limited playing time in his college career. He flashed at times during spring practice this year but was unlikely to crack the playing rotation.
Williams, from Hollywood Chaminade Madonna High, was Rivals’ No. 9 weakside defensive end and 247th best prospect in the 2019 class. He had 11 tackles and one sack at UM in three seasons.
Troutman was suspended by UM after he was arrested and charged with misdemeanor battery in March in the wake of an argument with his girlfriend that became physical, according to the arrest report.
Troutman very likely wasn’t going to be reinstated by Miami. He appeared in eight games and had three tackles last season. He was a three-star recruit out of Orlando Edgewater last year, rated the No. 25 linebacker by Rivals.
Johnson, out of Miami Killian, was rated the No. 34 weakside defensive end by Rivals in the 2021 class. He was not credited with any tackles last season.
Foley signed with Miami out of the University of Canberra Senior Secondary College in Australia. In his only season with Miami, Foley had one punt for 40 yards in the regular-season finale against Duke. With Lou Hedley returning this season, Foley likely wasn’t going to get playing time.
Five Hurricanes entered the portal previously this offseason: running back Cody Brown, linebacker Tirek Austin-Cave, tight end Larry Hodges, defensive tackle Nesta Silvera (now at Arizona State) and center Corey Gaynor (now at North Carolina).
This story was originally published May 2, 2022 at 4:51 PM.
