miamiherald
Jordan Lyle's path back to prominence with the Miami Hurricanes begins this fall camp, as the former St. Thomas Aquinas standout looks to shake off a frustrating 2024 campaign marred by injury. Once the team's top running back, Lyle's season was derailed by an injury early in the opener against Notre Dame, limiting him to just seven carries in any game after his return and ultimately sidelining him for the final seven contests, including the College Football Playoff National Championship Game.
Despite the setback, Lyle chose to stay with the Hurricanes rather than transfer, and he now finds himself in a competitive battle with Mark Fletcher Jr., CharMar Marty Brown, Girard Pringle Jr., and Javian Mallory for carries. "I'm just ready to show what I can do this season," Lyle said. "I'm gonna prove myself. I feel like everybody doubted me, but I'm gonna prove myself." His teammates and coaches remain confident in his abilities, recalling his freshman stats of 7.4 yards per carry, 400 rushing yards, and four touchdowns on just 54 attempts.
Offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson expressed high expectations, saying, "It says the world about him... I know what type of player Jordan is. He had some physical stuff that held him back last year, but I have seen him at his best and I know the potential he has and I know the spring he had. I expect you to see the Jordan that I know this season."
Key Analysis
The Hurricanes are also tasked with rebuilding an offensive line that lost four of six primary starters. However, the team's confidence in offensive line coach Alex Mirabal is unwavering. "The phrase 'In Mirabal I trust' is pretty important," Dawson said. "And I do. I trust that guy to get those guys ready and get them in the right place." Mirabal has a proven track record, with five players drafted in the past three years, and he believes he has nine or ten capable contributors this season.
Key returnees include Matt McCoy, Samson Okunlola, and Ryan Rodriguez, with top freshman Jackson Cantwell expected to play. Sophomores Max Buchanan and SJ Alofaituli saw time with the starters in spring, and transfers Jamal Meriweather and Jonathan Cline add depth. The competition for the final spots remains open, with freshmen Ben Congdon, Rhys Woodrow, Joel Ervin, and redshirt freshmen Demetrius Campbell and Jaiden Wilkerson all in the mix. Mirabal emphasized that his focus is on finding the best five linemen, regardless of position, stating, "To me, it's about us at the University of Miami finding the best five offensive linemen, and they go to play. And then if something happens to one of them, it's who's the next best guy? Not who's the next best left tackle?"
As fall camp begins, the Hurricanes are also collecting preseason accolades. Quarterback Darian Mensah, wide receiver Malachi Toney, and Mark Fletcher Jr. were named to the Maxwell Award watch list. Matt McCoy and defensive tackle Ahmad Moten Sr. are on the Outland Trophy watch list, while Moten, safety Bryce Fitzgerald, and defensive end Damon Wilson II are candidates for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy. Long snapper Adam Booker is also on the watch list for the Patrick Mannelly Award.
Originally reported by miamiherald.