Hstokes1447
Junior
- Joined
- Jul 17, 2012
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Thanks to the new scholarship numbers and the high number of early enrollees, Miami could enter the spring 3-4 deep at nearly every position with quality players across the board. The way this team improved as the season progressed, while returning both the offensive and defensive coordinators, sets it up to carry that momentum straight into spring practice.
When you combine that continuity with the sheer volume of talent on the roster, Miami could be looking at its most competitive spring in decades. I expect to see major development across the board and a team that rolls into next season positioned as the most dominant in college football.
QB
Miami goes into the spring 4 deep at quarterback, headlined by Mensah. The additions of Coleman and a more experienced Luke only raise the floor of the room and should lead to a higher level of competition and better practices overall.
HB
Returning the entire running back room while adding Javian Mallory gives Miami 6 scholarship running backs entering the spring, with five of them having real game experience. I do not think there is another team in the country that can say that.
WR
Miami enters the spring with 10 scholarship wide receivers, 6 of whom have college game experience. Between those 6, they combined in 2025 for 272 receptions, 3,721 yards, and 27 touchdowns. There is not a single team in the nation returning that level of production. Another key factor is the wide variety of body types and skill sets in the receiver room, which will consistently challenge defensive backs and accelerate their development.
TE
This is currently the only “thin” position on the roster and there are still 7 scholarship players (Elija Lofton 6-1 230, Jackson Carver 6-6 250, Luka Gilbert 6-7 255, Jack Nickel 6-4 260, Owen Ruskavic 6-7 250, Gavin Mueller 6-5 255, Israel Briggs 6-4 200). There are enough bodies in this room to go 3 deep, the question is are those bodies championship level
OL
There is limited game experience in this group, but the talent level is high. With 16 scholarship offensive linemen, Miami will be three deep at every position along the line. With so many starting spots up for grabs, competition should be intense, especially with this group facing one of the best defensive lines in the nation every day. I expect to see major improvement here.
DL
Miami has 9 defensive ends and 9 defensive tackles on the roster, with 5 of them being former 5 star recruits. There are waves of talent across the defensive line. Many of these players are now upperclassmen, which should create serious competition for rotational snaps.
LB
Hetherman only plays 2 linebackers at a time, and Miami enters the spring with 7 scholarship linebackers on the roster currently. With Toure firmly established as a starter, there should be strong competition for the spot next to him.
CB
Like the running back room, the staff was able to retain the entire cornerback group. Five returning players who all made plays during the 2025 season, and when you add 3 highly rated and talented freshmen, the result is true championship level depth and talent at the position.
S and Nickel
These positions are grouped together because Hetherman often uses them interchangeably. Miami has ten scholarship players in this group, and with Poyser returning, that leaves nine players competing for two spots at boundary safety and nickel. I am really excited for Pruitt, Thornton, and Hussey competition at Nickel.
There will be no more walk ons playing in the two deep during the spring, which limits real developmental reps. Every player on the field will be on scholarship and competing for snaps. That is the kind of environment that drives real growth. Iron sharpening iron at Greentree
When you combine that continuity with the sheer volume of talent on the roster, Miami could be looking at its most competitive spring in decades. I expect to see major development across the board and a team that rolls into next season positioned as the most dominant in college football.
QB
Miami goes into the spring 4 deep at quarterback, headlined by Mensah. The additions of Coleman and a more experienced Luke only raise the floor of the room and should lead to a higher level of competition and better practices overall.
HB
Returning the entire running back room while adding Javian Mallory gives Miami 6 scholarship running backs entering the spring, with five of them having real game experience. I do not think there is another team in the country that can say that.
WR
Miami enters the spring with 10 scholarship wide receivers, 6 of whom have college game experience. Between those 6, they combined in 2025 for 272 receptions, 3,721 yards, and 27 touchdowns. There is not a single team in the nation returning that level of production. Another key factor is the wide variety of body types and skill sets in the receiver room, which will consistently challenge defensive backs and accelerate their development.
TE
This is currently the only “thin” position on the roster and there are still 7 scholarship players (Elija Lofton 6-1 230, Jackson Carver 6-6 250, Luka Gilbert 6-7 255, Jack Nickel 6-4 260, Owen Ruskavic 6-7 250, Gavin Mueller 6-5 255, Israel Briggs 6-4 200). There are enough bodies in this room to go 3 deep, the question is are those bodies championship level
OL
There is limited game experience in this group, but the talent level is high. With 16 scholarship offensive linemen, Miami will be three deep at every position along the line. With so many starting spots up for grabs, competition should be intense, especially with this group facing one of the best defensive lines in the nation every day. I expect to see major improvement here.
DL
Miami has 9 defensive ends and 9 defensive tackles on the roster, with 5 of them being former 5 star recruits. There are waves of talent across the defensive line. Many of these players are now upperclassmen, which should create serious competition for rotational snaps.
LB
Hetherman only plays 2 linebackers at a time, and Miami enters the spring with 7 scholarship linebackers on the roster currently. With Toure firmly established as a starter, there should be strong competition for the spot next to him.
CB
Like the running back room, the staff was able to retain the entire cornerback group. Five returning players who all made plays during the 2025 season, and when you add 3 highly rated and talented freshmen, the result is true championship level depth and talent at the position.
S and Nickel
These positions are grouped together because Hetherman often uses them interchangeably. Miami has ten scholarship players in this group, and with Poyser returning, that leaves nine players competing for two spots at boundary safety and nickel. I am really excited for Pruitt, Thornton, and Hussey competition at Nickel.
There will be no more walk ons playing in the two deep during the spring, which limits real developmental reps. Every player on the field will be on scholarship and competing for snaps. That is the kind of environment that drives real growth. Iron sharpening iron at Greentree
