Additions: Asa Martin (Auburn transfer)
Departures: Travis Homer (NFL Draft), Trayone Gray (Graduation), Crispian Atkins (Graduation)
In 2018, the Hurricanes finished 45th in the country at 191.5 rushing yards per game. The bulk of that came from Travis Homer, who had a second straight 900+ yard season on his way to declaring early for the NFL Draft. Overall, the running game was mostly effective against opponents that the Hurricanes were expected to beat and clearly outmatched in talent level, but UM struggled to run on fronts that recruited at the same level as Miami.
Often times, Miami backs had to create room for themselves when the line couldn’t get push, and consistently running up the middle proved to be a tough task for the Canes. Previously stifled by an unimaginative power-oriented run game poorly suited for an undersized and more athletic OL, Miami is hoping a change in offensive philosophy with new OC Dan Enos can get the most out of the offensive line and a talented stable of backs just looking for room to run in 2019.
The runner most obviously in line to replace Homer as UM’s lead back is last season’s #2, DeeJay Dallas. The junior is a running back with a receiver’s skills, as proven by Dallas starting his career at wide-out, and he showed off his versatility last season, running for 617 yards on 109 carries, catching 10 passes, and operating as Miami’s main return man on kickoffs and punts (1 TD return). This spring will be Dallas’ opportunity to show the staff he can handle a heavier workload and prove his fumble issues are behind him. As a weapon that can be moved all around the field, Miami finally started to get creative with Dallas and line him up all over the formation towards the end of 2018. Hopefully that continues with Enos to show off Dallas’ excellent hands and keep defenses off-balance in 2019.
Sophomore Cam Davis looked destined to redshirt last season, but seized his chance after Lorenzo Lingard went down for the season and Homer missed some time with a calf injury. Davis showed exciting burst and blended that with tough inside running, proving he had plenty of potential. Davis took the rock for 28 carries for 166 yards in 2018, and found the endzone in crucial moments for the Canes, scoring against Georgia Tech to keep UM in the game, and scoring twice to help Miami pull away versus Virginia Tech. He might have the most natural running back instincts on the roster and is in the best position to benefit if Miami decides to leave Dallas in more of a flex-type role.
Even though Dallas and Davis represent a more than solid top 2, arguably the most talented runner on the roster won’t suit up for full contact this spring. Sophomore Lorenzo Lingard missed much of his freshman season due to knee surgery, recording 17 carries for 136 yards and 2 TD’s in just 6 games, but is expected to be full-go for fall camp. Minor issues in Lingard’s game like pass protection and running too stiff and upright held him back a bit in 2018, and it’s disappointing we won’t be able to see if progress has been made in those areas this spring. Still, at 6’0” 202 pounds, Lingard was previously running in the 4.2’s and he will be hard to keep off the field as a change of pace back at minimum if he can return at 100%.
Even with Lingard out last season, sophomore Robert Burns was unable to carve out much of a role, and was passed up on the depth chart by Davis. Burns was only able to muster 2 carries for 10 yards in 2018 and is in danger of becoming transfer fodder. On the bright side, he stayed healthy for the first time in an entire season dating back the past 4 years to high school, so Burns will look to build on that and become UM’s #3 back this spring. To challenge him for that role, Miami brought in Auburn transfer Asa Martin, who had 13 carries for 57 yards as a freshman for the Tigers in 2018. While it’s likely Martin will not be able to play in 2019 (barring getting an unexpected transfer waiver), the sophomore is a former top recruit that’s a well-built power back at 5’11” 210 pounds, and UM will look to see what he can bring to the rotation this spring.
Redshirt freshman Realus George is next up to replace the departed Trayone Gray at fullback and it could be tough to fill Gray’s shoes, as he proved extremely effective at picking up short yardage situations in Mark Richt’s offense. It remains to be seen just how much a fullback will be needed in Enos’ system, but George certainly has the ability to be an asset in goal-line opportunities when he’s called upon.
Bottom Line
All in all, there is talent from top to bottom in the running back crew, but there will still be questions to be answered this spring and beyond. Can UM find a reliable primary back and are depth concerns warranted? If Lingard struggles in his recovery and Martin is ruled ineligible, UM will have only 3 scholarship backs, including Burns who has proved nothing at this level. How the reps get split up this spring will go a long way to determine if Dallas and Davis will be in a timeshare to start the season or if one primary back is emerging.
Departures: Travis Homer (NFL Draft), Trayone Gray (Graduation), Crispian Atkins (Graduation)
In 2018, the Hurricanes finished 45th in the country at 191.5 rushing yards per game. The bulk of that came from Travis Homer, who had a second straight 900+ yard season on his way to declaring early for the NFL Draft. Overall, the running game was mostly effective against opponents that the Hurricanes were expected to beat and clearly outmatched in talent level, but UM struggled to run on fronts that recruited at the same level as Miami.
Often times, Miami backs had to create room for themselves when the line couldn’t get push, and consistently running up the middle proved to be a tough task for the Canes. Previously stifled by an unimaginative power-oriented run game poorly suited for an undersized and more athletic OL, Miami is hoping a change in offensive philosophy with new OC Dan Enos can get the most out of the offensive line and a talented stable of backs just looking for room to run in 2019.
The runner most obviously in line to replace Homer as UM’s lead back is last season’s #2, DeeJay Dallas. The junior is a running back with a receiver’s skills, as proven by Dallas starting his career at wide-out, and he showed off his versatility last season, running for 617 yards on 109 carries, catching 10 passes, and operating as Miami’s main return man on kickoffs and punts (1 TD return). This spring will be Dallas’ opportunity to show the staff he can handle a heavier workload and prove his fumble issues are behind him. As a weapon that can be moved all around the field, Miami finally started to get creative with Dallas and line him up all over the formation towards the end of 2018. Hopefully that continues with Enos to show off Dallas’ excellent hands and keep defenses off-balance in 2019.
Sophomore Cam Davis looked destined to redshirt last season, but seized his chance after Lorenzo Lingard went down for the season and Homer missed some time with a calf injury. Davis showed exciting burst and blended that with tough inside running, proving he had plenty of potential. Davis took the rock for 28 carries for 166 yards in 2018, and found the endzone in crucial moments for the Canes, scoring against Georgia Tech to keep UM in the game, and scoring twice to help Miami pull away versus Virginia Tech. He might have the most natural running back instincts on the roster and is in the best position to benefit if Miami decides to leave Dallas in more of a flex-type role.
Even though Dallas and Davis represent a more than solid top 2, arguably the most talented runner on the roster won’t suit up for full contact this spring. Sophomore Lorenzo Lingard missed much of his freshman season due to knee surgery, recording 17 carries for 136 yards and 2 TD’s in just 6 games, but is expected to be full-go for fall camp. Minor issues in Lingard’s game like pass protection and running too stiff and upright held him back a bit in 2018, and it’s disappointing we won’t be able to see if progress has been made in those areas this spring. Still, at 6’0” 202 pounds, Lingard was previously running in the 4.2’s and he will be hard to keep off the field as a change of pace back at minimum if he can return at 100%.
Even with Lingard out last season, sophomore Robert Burns was unable to carve out much of a role, and was passed up on the depth chart by Davis. Burns was only able to muster 2 carries for 10 yards in 2018 and is in danger of becoming transfer fodder. On the bright side, he stayed healthy for the first time in an entire season dating back the past 4 years to high school, so Burns will look to build on that and become UM’s #3 back this spring. To challenge him for that role, Miami brought in Auburn transfer Asa Martin, who had 13 carries for 57 yards as a freshman for the Tigers in 2018. While it’s likely Martin will not be able to play in 2019 (barring getting an unexpected transfer waiver), the sophomore is a former top recruit that’s a well-built power back at 5’11” 210 pounds, and UM will look to see what he can bring to the rotation this spring.
Redshirt freshman Realus George is next up to replace the departed Trayone Gray at fullback and it could be tough to fill Gray’s shoes, as he proved extremely effective at picking up short yardage situations in Mark Richt’s offense. It remains to be seen just how much a fullback will be needed in Enos’ system, but George certainly has the ability to be an asset in goal-line opportunities when he’s called upon.
Bottom Line
All in all, there is talent from top to bottom in the running back crew, but there will still be questions to be answered this spring and beyond. Can UM find a reliable primary back and are depth concerns warranted? If Lingard struggles in his recovery and Martin is ruled ineligible, UM will have only 3 scholarship backs, including Burns who has proved nothing at this level. How the reps get split up this spring will go a long way to determine if Dallas and Davis will be in a timeshare to start the season or if one primary back is emerging.
after his injury then I believe he will take the reigns as lead back. I think with DJ’s versatility he will be utilized more in 2 RB sets, out of the backfield, i. Wildcat formations, and/or in the slot. I think that is where he will become the most effective.
