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12 Players likely to make a huge leap in 2022(Offense)

Billy D Williams said:
Still not overly convinced by any of the OLinemen. I reserve judgement until someone who knows give an opinion or after seeing the Spring game for myself. If we can get a consistent run game and short yardage conversions, all the players mentioned should be vastly improved.
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That's a very reasonable opinion. I also have my concerns with some of the OL but the coaching change has me very optimistic.
 
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As long as he’s healthy, the biggest leap will be Chaney’s
 
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FrancisSawyer said:
These 3 to me could be the heavy lifters in the passing game. Are they your top 3? Do you feel like Keyshawn Smith could explode next season? Then there is a talent like Brashard Smith. Assuming we stay with spread and air raid concepts, Brashard could have a big role. Our problem might be not having enough footballs.
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In terms of players that will have increased production as a breakout players yes.

Keyshawn Smith IMO already broke out, IMO he’s the best WR going into next season (barring adding any vets from the Portal), I think he’ll be the WR1/XWR next year.
 
Liberty City El said:
In terms of players that will have increased production as a breakout players yes.

Keyshawn Smith IMO already broke out, IMO he’s the best WR going into next season (barring adding any vets from the Portal), I think he’ll be the WR1/XWR next year.
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Agree on Keyshawn. He broke out but 2022 will be his year to become a household name. I'm super high on Jacolby George.
 
FrancisSawyer said:
I thought I would take a break from all of the speculation regarding the new staff hires and talk a bit about the young talent we have returning next season. The following is a list of 12 players who I expect to make a significant jump/improvement from this season to the 2022 season. Some will be young players that I expect to make a substantial leap going into their 2nd year after getting some experience this past season. There are others who are upperclassmen who I think could put it all together later in their careers. Aside from Tyler Van Dime, this list in is no particular order.

1. QB Tyler Van Dyke. I was thinking about not including Van Dime on this list because he was sensational this year as a freshman. He came into a difficult and potentially disasterous situation with King going down, and the first few games of the season seeing Diaz put squarely on the hot seat. With the fans disgust with the state of the program at an all time high and a locker room on the verge of ripping itself apart, this young man calmly overcame his 1st start jitters vs UVA to lead the team to what should have been a win only to get Diazed in the end. After picking up where he left off a week before, Van Dyke continued to get better vs UNC turning in a sensational effort only to get snakebitten by a tipped ball at the end. With the team at 2-4 and Diaz basically a lame duck, Van Dime proceeded to go on a record breaking tear winning 5 of the last 6 games. The lone loss being a Chihuahua fellating a donkey type choke job Diaz special. Tyler Van Dyke goes into next season as the unquestioned leader of this team and a viable Heisman Candidate.

2. RB Jaylin Knighton. After missing the first 4 games due to suspension Knighton immediately asserted himself as the speedy explosive playmaker that fans had expected. A season ending injury to Cam Harris gave Knighton the feature back role and his speed and versatility elevated the offense to another level. Going into 2022 I expect Knighton to be an elite cog in UMs offensive machine. The Rooster 🐓 is certainly capable of being the lead feature back but his best role is that of an elite 3rd down back who's speed and game breaking ability can hurt the defense as a runner and receiver.

3. RB Thad Franklin. Franklin played sparingly as a true freshman but the 6' 240 pounder showed great potential as a between the tackles type workhorse. Many here believe that he is the most gifted natural runner out of our current stable of RB's.

4.WR Jacolby George. A smooth route runner with great hands and excellent body control, George began to make his presence felt late in the season. An elusive receiver with big play ability, George(6'180 lbs) posseses an impressive catch radius relative to his size. Needs to develop his core strength and add some good weight and muscle to his slender frame. I look for George to become an integral part of this passing attack. His frame and natural ability remind me of another UM WR whose name I'll keep to myself for now.

5. WR Keyshawn Smith. Smith will be a 3rd year sophomore next season. Another speedy and explosive receiver with good length Smith should take the next step in his development especially with Rambo and Harley off to the NFL. An off-season to develop chemistry with Van Dime will be huge

6. WR/APB Brashard Smith. Another speedy explosive playmaker with great versatility, Smith can hurt defenses from the slot or out of the backfield. After getting his feet wet in 2021, Smith could have a big year in 2022.

7. WR.Romello Brinson. Yet another weapon in Miami's deep WR corps, Brinson has good length and good speed. Played a little in 2021 and was getting more comfortable towards the end of the year. With a full off-season to sharpen his route running and gain chemistry with TVD, Brinson will have a big opportunity in 2022.

8. WR. Xavier Restrepo. When I say that the Miami WR corps is deep with great young talent I'm not kidding. Restrepo is the type that can do huge damage to opposing defenses out of the slot. Possessing tremendous lateral quickness, Restrepo is a tough matchup for most LBs and Safeties. Makes difficult catches look routine. Restrepo could be ultra productive in the middle of the field out of the slot.

9. TE Elijah Arroyo. If you wanted to build the prototype TE you would end up with someone just like Elijah Arroyo. Arroyo has everything you look for in a TE. Height, size, strength, speed, athleticism, blocking ability/physicality and great hands. After testing the water as a true freshman, I look for Arroyo to be very productive in 2022.

10. TE Will Mallory. While it is true that Mallory has had his ups and downs in his 1st 3 years at Miami, he showed during the last half of 2021 that when healthy, he can be both dependable and productive. Here's to Mallory putting it all together in his senior year.

11. C.Jakai Clark. When Corey Gaynor went down early last season, Clark was able to step right in and not only fill in but seriously upgrade the center position for UM. His continued development in his ability to run block will be key for the Miami rushing attack in 2022. Clark will solidify the middle of the Offensive Line for the next 2 seasons at least.

12. LT Zion Nelson. Assuming that Nelson returns and he should return, Zion could put it all together and truly become the 1st round talent that we all know he can be. As a 4th year Junior, Nelson has had 3 full seasons of experience playing Left Tackle and he will be the unquestioned lynchpin of the Hurricane Offensive Line.

This is obviously a potentially electrifying offense with incredible depth at WR and RB with 2 starter level TEs and an improving Offensive Line with 2 to 3 All ACC candidates and 1 potential AA in Zion Nelson not to mention a Heisman caliber QB in Tyler Van Dyke. I did not list Don Chaney Jr because he is coming off an ACL injury. Jalen Rivers was also not listed for injury reasons. If 100% healthy, Don Chaney has the talent to be the best RB on the roster. Jalen Rivers also has the ability to be All ACC if healthy. Hopefully with the return of a healthy Rivers and DJ Scaife plus help from youngsters like Rodriguez, McLaughlin, Washington and Seymour we could have a very solid OL. The sky is truly the limit for this offense but that will depend to a large degree on who the new OC is. Still much to be excited about. Defense post coming soon.
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Zion probably leaped as far as he is gonna.if rooster is gonna leap any higher then a tree branch to sleep he better hope the oline makes a leap in run blocking
 
Excellent piece. It's true we have a deep and talented wr corps and they can become absolutely deadly if Mirabal and Feld get our guys run blocking for more offensive balance. I'd like to see Franklin come down like 20 lbs. He'd be faster and quicker and would still bring a load at 220. Again, get the line run blocking and rhe right OC and there's gon be some furniture moving.
 
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Canefancarlos2 said:
Zion probably leaped as far as he is gonna.if rooster is gonna leap any higher then a tree branch to sleep he better hope the oline makes a leap in run blocking
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I disagree about Zion. I believe he can develop into a better player with another year. The Rooster will get better with another year under his belt. I agree that the Offensive Line is crucial in terms of the running game and the offense in general.

If you have an issue with my use of the word leap then you can always leap off my thread. Your choice friend.
 
Artist Formerly Known As said:
I think Jalen Rivers will make a huge leap. He’s got the maturity now and a major upgrade in coaching.
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Definitely a guy who could be a huge factor if healthy. If Zion comes back we could have an excellent left side with Nelson/Rivers/Clark. Have Scaife battle with Seymour and Rodriguez then find someone at RT. John Campbell or McLaughlin or portal.
 
MichiCANE said:
No doubt, we do have a lot of talent. Only thing that worries me is the o-line, which honestly shows by your list. Both in the fact that they’re the last two mentioned and that there’s only two. Enjoyed it though, will be looking forward to the list on D 💪
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I do have some optimism concerning the OL due to the fact that we just received a huge coaching upgrade. Ideally that unit improves significantly going into 2022. Zion Nelson has no business going pro right now. All that preseason 2021 hype about 1st round pick this and that got to his head. He needs to come back and continue to learn and develop.
 
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