Miami Hurricanes 2025 Place Preview: Operating Again

Because the Canes transfer into the 2025 season, we start our place previews with a bunch that may undoubtedly be key to continued success: Operating Again.

Whereas the passing sport led by Cam Ward rightfully received the vast majority of the headlines for the Canes in 2024, the run sport was each environment friendly and dynamic. Coming in thirty first nationally and #1 within the ACC, Miami’s run sport was an excellent a part of an elite offense (#1 within the nation). That success on the bottom got here from a various group of backs, one thing that Miami will boast once more this upcoming season.

Briefly, I’m assured the operating sport will as soon as once more be an environment friendly and explosive group, and pave the best way for top ranges of offensive success in 2025 (even when there’s a dip from being the most effective offense within the nation).

The Starter

Mark Fletcher Jr.

A robust 6’2” 225lbs, Fletcher Jr. steps into the lead again position for the Canes in 2025. He paired with Damien Martinez in 2024 to type one of many strongest RB duos within the nation. Now, he strikes into the lead position for the Canes dashing assault, and appears to take a step ahead in his private efficiency.

In 2024, Fletcher completed 18th within the ACC in dashing, with 607 yards on 112 carries (5.42 ypc) with 9 TDs in 13 video games. That’s just below 9 carries and 47 yards per sport as a rotational possibility as a sophomore.

Now transferring into the lead position, Fletcher Jr. ought to be capable of method the 1,000 yards that Damien Martinez had in 2024 resulting from elevated carries being paired with continued development and growth. Fletcher Jr. ought to be capable of push for All-ACC accolades with a powerful season, with loads of highlights alongside the best way.

The Homerun Hitter

Jordan Lyle

A 4-star recruit from St. Thomas Aquinas, Lyle burst onto the scene as a freshman for the Canes. He instantly labored his means into the rotation over different returning gamers, displaying the flexibility to move defend (important for a RB), whereas additionally being an explosive runner with nice imaginative and prescient, steadiness, and game-breaking pace.

Lyle had 400 yards on simply 54 carries (7.41ypc) and 4 TDs on the yr. Lyle set an all-time Miami document with a 91 yard TD run towards USF. That exhibits the form of explosiveness and pace he possesses, and Miami will profit from these traits in 2025.

Although he didn’t present it typically in 2024, Lyle has the flexibility to be an affect participant within the passing sport out of the backfield. I’m to see how he’s used on this space of the sport this season.

I’d count on to see Lyle double his carries as a sophomore. That may see his yards per carry common dip a bit, however Lyle is the form of again who could make a 1 yard achieve flip into 6, 6 yards flip into 15, and 15 to show into an extended landing. With Fletcher Jr. because the “thunder” in Miami’s run sport, Lyle appears to be like to be the “lightning” as he steps right into a a lot bigger position in 2025.

New Faces

CharMar “Marty” Brown and Girard Pringle Jr.

With a number of departures from final yr’s group, Miami added excessive caliber gamers to maintain the RB room stacked with expertise.

First up is CharMar “Marty” Brown. Taking part in at powerhouse FCS program North Dakota State, Brown redshirted in 2023 earlier than instantly stepped into the beginning lineup in 2024, and shortly turned the focus of the NDSU offense. Not solely did Brown assist NDSU to the FCS Nationwide Championship, he was 1st group All-American, and gained the Jerry Rice Award as the most effective freshman in all of FCS soccer.

Brown posted 244 carries for 1,181 yards and 15 touchdowns for NDSU, and was the primary RB for the Bison to eclipse 1,000 yards in practically a decade. Brown had 4 100-yard video games, and a pair of others with 95+ yards as properly.

A stout 5’11” 215lbs, the Omaha, NE native is yet-another robust, bodily operating again for the Canes. I’d usually be hesitant so as to add an FCS participant, however a participant of Brown’s caliber and efficiency undoubtedly suits on the Canes’ roster. He’ll battle for taking part in time, however his greatest days as a Cane are doubtless sooner or later.

As for Girard Pringle Jr., he’s the most recent blue chip highschool operating again to signal with Miami. The Seffner (FL) Armwood star has unimaginable straight-line pace — he ran as quick as 10.56 within the 100M sprint in HS — and elite manufacturing as properly.

He’s a bit smaller than the opposite backs on the roster at 5’10” 182lbs, however his pace and skill to play in house make him a risk to attain any time he will get his palms on the ball. You’ll be able to take a look at his Recruiting Pocket book from signing day for much more about Pringle Jr.

Even Extra Pace

Chris Wheatley-Humphrey

A redshirt sophomore, Wheatley-Humphrey is yet-another again with blazing pace who can rating on any contact. The Hollywood (FL) South Broward alum averaged greater than 10 yards per carry in HS, a testomony to the truth that in the event you give him a crease, he’s GONE.

Nicknamed “Hellcat”, Wheatley-Humphrey appears to be like to carve out a job for himself in Miami’s loaded backfield in 2025. He (and several other others) was leapfrogged by Jordan Lyle final season, however with one other yr of growth, he appears to be like to take a step ahead and get into the rotation.

I mentioned final yr that Miami had 5 beginning caliber operating backs (Martinez, Fletcher, Lyle, Ajay Allen and Chris Johnson Jr), and perhaps that’s gone right down to 4 this yr. Nonetheless, all 5 of the gamers on this record are able to being solid-or-better gamers for the Canes.

Miami’s OL is among the many greatest within the nation, and the run sport can be foundational to the success of this group. With the prodigious expertise within the backfield, Miami ought to be capable of run the ball properly and sometimes, one thing I’m certain Mario Cristobal will like to see in 2025.