Despite losing key starters, coach Mario Cristobal expresses strong confidence in the Miami Hurricanes' revamped offensive line, showcasing new talent ready to dominate.
The Miami Hurricanes could have one of the best offenses in the nation, but it starts with the offensive line. They've lost four starters: center James Brockermeyer, right guard Anez Cooper, left tackle Markel Bell, and right tackle Francis Mauigoa, all of whom declared for the NFL draft.
Coach Mario Cristobal and offensive line coach Alex Mirabal will have tons of experimenting to do as spring training approaches. The Hurricanes carved out a National Championship run by winning battles in the trenches. Coach Cristobal looks to continue that trend and is excited for the next guys stepping up.
"We have a lot of faith in what we've recruited and seen in practice," he told 247 on Monday. "On this side, there's no hesitation to say we're really excited about that group and for the right reasons."
"These guys can roll."
Coach Cristobal referred to returning offensive linemen Matthew McCoy, Samson Okunlola, and Ryan Rodriguez as "staple veterans." Each appeared in 10-plus games last season as rotation pieces, with high chances to carve out more consistent roles through spring training.
Plus, the Hurricanes added a couple of offensive linemen through the transfer portal.
Jamal Meriweather was previously in the SEC with the Georgia Bulldogs. He only allowed one pressure and no sacks in 12 games with limited playing time. The Georgia native is versatile and can play multiple positions, which should be intriguing for coach Cristobal and Mirabal to explore and find the best spot for him.
Also, Johnathan Cline joins the program through the transfer portal after a season with the East Tennessee State Buccaneers. He floats under the radar, but could end up being a good development prospect. Cline is listed at 6-4, 315 pounds, and could start with scout teams.
The Hurricanes have an incoming five-star recruit in left tackle Jackson Cantwell, who's looking to compete for a starting role in spring training. He recorded 459 blocked pancakes in 45 total games at Nixon High School, was named the Gatorade Player of the Year, and listed at 6-7, 325 pounds.
Other notable candidates who could crack the rotation are left guard Seuseu Alofaituli, right guard Max Buchanan, right guard Jaden Wilkerson, left tackle Demetrius Campbell, and left guard Yerovi Valdes Alfonso.
Coach Cristobal and the Hurricanes have become a strong destination for offensive linemen development. Regardless of what the lineup looks like, the protection for quarterback Darian Mensah should be similar to Carson Beck's, which will allow the offense to thrive.
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