Camp is three days away, so we’re breaking down the depth chart for each position group. The quarterback breakdown is available here: Next up is running back:
THE STARTER
Damien Martinez
The Oregon State transfer might be the best running back Mario Cristobal has ever had. CJ Verdell had two 1,000-yard seasons and Travis Dye had one, but neither had the physical talent to get drafted. Martinez is a projected Day 2 pick. The 6', 238-pound bruiser from the Dallas/Fort Worth area combines massive power (see his truck stick of current Miami safety Meesh Powell) with surprising agility and speed. Listen to Indianapolis Colts star Jonathan Taylor talk about Martinez in workouts:
Miami needs his big-play ability. While Miami ranked 20th nationally in yards per carry, there weren't many explosive runs to boost that number. The Canes ranked 59th in 10+ yard runs, 40th in 20+ yard runs, 65th in 30+ yard runs and 97th in 40+ yard runs. For his part, Martinez ranked 14th nationally in 10+ yard runs and had more 40+ yard runs than Miami's entire team. In 2023, he ran for 1,185 yards (6.1 ypc) and 9 TDs as a 19-year-old. And he has moved from a limited QB in DJ Uiagalelei to a player defenses need to account for in Cam Ward.
THE NEXT MEN UP
Mark Fletcher
It's easy to dream on a Thunder and Thunder combination of Martinez and Fletcher. Now it just comes down to health. Sources tell me Fletcher is significantly ahead of schedule on all his recovery milestones. The only uncertainty is how he'll react to action. Miami will err on the side of caution given Fletcher's youth and talent, but he is trending in the right direction to be a major factor this season.
Ajay Allen
The Nebraska transfer from Monroe, LA has a solid first year, with 361 yards (5.2 ypc), 5 TDs, a standout performance against Clemson and one of the top highlights of the season:
Now fully healthy after sitting out spring and dealing with lingering issues, he hopes to show more explosiveness (long of 30 yards) while continuing to provide a steady presence in the RB room.
Chris Johnson, Jr.
Fans of the NCAA Football video game know all about the Miami Hurricane with 98 speed and 98 acceleration. Johnson earned that speed ranking with state titles in the 100M (10.25 PR) and the 200M (20.40 PR). He's often compared to former All-Pro Chris "CJ2K" Johnson (no relation), but Johnson, Jr. is actually faster on the track. CJ2K "only" topped out at 10.38 and 21.30 at Olympia High School in Orlando.
Some have criticized Johnson, Jr. for bouncing too many runs outside and missing holes. But it's not uncommon for hyperfast backs to take longer to adjust to the college game. CJ2K never had more than 4.3 ypc or 700 yards in a season at East Carolina until breaking out as a senior. My suspicion is that Miami's offensive line (which was Top 3 nationally in yards before contact last year) will give Johnson, Jr. the runway for some game-changing runs.
Jordan Lyle
On3 surprised many in the recruiting industry when they listed Jordan Lyle as the #1 back in the nation. They may have been onto something. The former Ohio State commit from St. Thomas Aquinas went to a new level as a senior and showed up on campus more physically imposing than expected. Since then, he's been the talk of workouts. I wouldn't be surprised if he has a Mark Fletcher-type impact as a freshman.
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THE WILD CARD
Elija Lofton
We could list this guy on several position previews. At 6'1, 240-pounds, he's an undersized TE, a mammoth receiver and a prototypical RB/FB. While he spent the first half of the spring dazzling at TE, he was Miami's best RB when he switched over. Anybody who saw his second scrimmage would tell you he was the best player on the field. He's a patient runner and a walking mismatch in the red zone. He can lead block, run, or line up wide and route up defenders. He was my favorite recruit in the class and I expect him to be a favorite of the entire fanbase.
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THE DEVELOPMENTAL PLAYER
Chris Wheatley-Humphrey
One of the pleasant surprises of spring was Wheatley-Humphrey. He's a longshot to contribute this year with his weight still in the 170s, but he showed toughness and a natural ability to weave through traffic. There's a reason he ran for 2,076 yards on 13.1 yards per carry as a senior. He lacks Duke Johnson's physicality and carries less overall upside, but he does have a similar running style with his bouncy feet and ability to jump multiple gaps with one quick move. He projects as a solid college player.
CONCLUSION
This is one of the best RB rooms in the nation. Martinez is a Top 10 back and there is blue-chip depth behind him. Fletcher was one of the better backs in the ACC by the end of the season, Allen is solid and Lyle is ready to play right away. Johnson, Jr. is a threat both running the ball and getting downfield on mismatches in the passing game (which he did several times in spring). Lofton will be a Swiss Army Knife, and CWH has a chance to be a contributor down the road.
The key for this group will be improving on short yardage (see NC State and Louisville) and creating more big plays.
