forums

The X Factors for 2026 Offense and Defense

rsa coral gables said:
I’ve been saying this for 4 years. Ryan Rodriguez is a big concern. He IMO doesn’t have the strength to move anyone. He is IMO the weakest link of the line. We have good reason to trust mirabal and Mario and for the love of a merciful God I hope they are right
Click to expand...
I think he's strong enough. Health is the concern with him. We better have someone ready to step in if he gets hurt.
 
Combo said:
I think he's strong enough. Health is the concern with him. We better have someone ready to step in if he gets hurt.
Click to expand...

I've said it a few times but I'm definitely nervous about the center position as well.

2022 was an abomination, just forget about it.

But 2023, 2024, and 2025, we had one of the ~10 best offensive lines in the country every single year. A big part of that? A veteran center, with proven experience at a high level.

Matt Lee -- Three year starter at UCF
Zach Carpenter -- Starter at Indiana for 20+ games
James Brockermeyer -- Started every game the previous year for TCU

Every single season, we've plugged in a grown *** man to be the anchor of the line, who had proven previously he could handle the job. Now, it seems that role will be first offered up to Ryan Rodriguez, who has started one (1) game in the past 2 seasons, and it was at Guard. He is a 6th year senior, so perhaps he has the grown *** man part down. What he doesn't have, at all, is the prior history proving he can handle the job part.

So, until proven otherwise, my breath is held at Center. Of course, I trust Mario and Mirabal to put a competent line out there. But I'd feel WAY better about this line overall if we had a kid playing center who I knew, without a doubt, would be *at worst* decent, which is how I've felt going into each of the last 3 seasons. I don't know that I feel that way now. He's a major, major piece of this puzzle.
 
OrangeBowlMagic said:
I've said it a few times but I'm definitely nervous about the center position as well.

2022 was an abomination, just forget about it.

But 2023, 2024, and 2025, we had one of the ~10 best offensive lines in the country every single year. A big part of that? A veteran center, with proven experience at a high level.

Matt Lee -- Three year starter at UCF
Zach Carpenter -- Starter at Indiana for 20+ games
James Brockermeyer -- Started every game the previous year for TCU

Every single season, we've plugged in a grown *** man to be the anchor of the line, who had proven previously he could handle the job. Now, it seems that role will be first offered up to Ryan Rodriguez, who has started one (1) game in the past 2 seasons, and it was at Guard. He is a 6th year senior, so perhaps he has the grown *** man part down. What he doesn't have, at all, is the prior history proving he can handle the job part.

So, until proven otherwise, my breath is held at Center. Of course, I trust Mario and Mirabal to put a competent line out there. But I'd feel WAY better about this line overall if we had a kid playing center who I knew, without a doubt, would be *at worst* decent, which is how I've felt going into each of the last 3 seasons. I don't know that I feel that way now. He's a major, major piece of this puzzle.
Click to expand...

Yeah, everyone is nervous about RRod. He has experience, great, but he's never really started here at arguably the most important position on the OL. From the limited snaps I saw from the spring, even the snaps need to be improved. I know he's improved but next 2 months of continued growth needs to happen. OL should give folks pause because we don't have anyone returning with full time starter snaps.
 
OrangeBowlMagic said:
I've said it a few times but I'm definitely nervous about the center position as well.

2022 was an abomination, just forget about it.

But 2023, 2024, and 2025, we had one of the ~10 best offensive lines in the country every single year. A big part of that? A veteran center, with proven experience at a high level.

Matt Lee -- Three year starter at UCF
Zach Carpenter -- Starter at Indiana for 20+ games
James Brockermeyer -- Started every game the previous year for TCU

Every single season, we've plugged in a grown *** man to be the anchor of the line, who had proven previously he could handle the job. Now, it seems that role will be first offered up to Ryan Rodriguez, who has started one (1) game in the past 2 seasons, and it was at Guard. He is a 6th year senior, so perhaps he has the grown *** man part down. What he doesn't have, at all, is the prior history proving he can handle the job part.

So, until proven otherwise, my breath is held at Center. Of course, I trust Mario and Mirabal to put a competent line out there. But I'd feel WAY better about this line overall if we had a kid playing center who I knew, without a doubt, would be *at worst* decent, which is how I've felt going into each of the last 3 seasons. I don't know that I feel that way now. He's a major, major piece of this puzzle.
Click to expand...
Only portal miss imho. I think Rodriguez has matured a LOT. But it’s dang important especially in this o
 
My X factors:

Offense: RRod - he's the anchor of an OL lacking experience, first time starter. He needs to be a strength for that OL.
Defense: Chase - arguably another anchor. Replaces a very active LB in Wes. He will be asked to quite a bit in his first time as a starter.
 
Gocanes1990 said:
Only portal miss imho. I think Rodriguez has matured a LOT. But it’s dang important especially in this o
Click to expand...
Did we try? I think it’s curious as well. Clearly it’s a priority to the coaches so I’ve got no specific opinion yet until I see how it works out
 
rok said:
Certainly the RT position was key to Miami's success in 2024 and 2025, but no matter who replaces Mauigoa, that person won't come close to having the same impact as a down blocker and pass protector.

@LuCane I know we disagree here but imo we'd actually be better off with LT Cantwell, LG Okunlola, C Rodriguez, RG McCoy, RT ________ .

Buchanan is a mauler with a bright future but handing him the starting RG job seems risky. We were fortunate to have Anez Cooper matched up against Albert Regis, Kayden McDonald, and Xzavien Harris. We needed a grown *** man at RG to survive those battles. Buchanan will contribute this year, and maybe he's ready for the role but I'd like to see him be challenged for that RG spot. The trio of Cooper/McCoy/Okunlola was awesome in 2025, and it would be ideal having to replace just one among that group instead of two imo.

In that scenario, with the IOL solidified by Okunlola, Rodriguez, McCoy (15 years combined experience) RT is an open competition among Meriweather, Congdon, Wilkerson, Minaya, Campbell, Ervin, Hawks, etc. I beg you to consider this hot take seriously and not toss it aside like some dirty underoos.
Click to expand...
One thing that I will offer on Buchanan, the coaches will know what they have in him by the end of camp. He will be facing Moten, Scott, and company for a month. If he can handle them he will be good to go...if not....
 
JHallCanes said:
That’s what I thought. They were crazy crazy aggressive the last few years

I mean if they think he’s the answer then let’s go
Click to expand...
Yea I think the oline would of been fine if Markel Bell came back, just to have that battle tested proven cornerstone would of been all we needed.. Just seems like soo many question marks when you replace both tackles and center with journeyman types and true freshman phenom..
 
skyman said:
Yea I think the oline would of been fine if Markel Bell came back, just to have that battle tested proven cornerstone would of been all we needed.. Just seems like soo many question marks when you replace both tackles and center with journeyman types and true freshman phenom..
Click to expand...
My biggest concern is health. The last few years you can count on one hand how many games our starting OL missed due to injury

Samson, McCoy, RR these guys are the ones that have had trouble staying healthy

No one has a good backup OL

I’m not overly worried about it but just something with a little asterisk next to it for me
 
LuCane said:
I think we have the best defensive backfield we've seen in three decades, maybe ever, though I need to see a player who can reliably fill the alley.
Click to expand...
Our resident defensive backfield expert just casually dropped this line and no one commented?!

**** Lu. Even with losing Thomas and Scott? Feel like we maxed those 2 out last year in what we could’ve realistically expected from them. Those are gonna be big shoes to fill.
 
scrantoncane said:
Our resident defensive backfield expert just casually dropped this line and no one commented?!

**** Lu. Even with losing Thomas and Scott? Feel like we maxed those 2 out last year in what we could’ve realistically expected from them. Those are gonna be big shoes to fill.
Click to expand...
Ha, first of all, i'm no expert. I've just watched too much football for like 40 years.

And, yeah, I'll stand by that line (and the qualifier) because of the outrageous depth at Corner. It's not something I think I ever remember here. Our 4th CB is a...starter. Our Safeties aren't as deep, but the strength of the CB room is just seemingly so strong it sets a high floor for the entire season.

Now, the qualifier in there. I haven't seen any of our players fill an alley well enough in a Canes uniform. Thornton did so at BC. I don't think Fitz does it well enough yet.

Scott was my favorite player on the team last year and I said that early. He is not replaceable. But, when you return 4-5 starting level corners, you can play around with a lot of coverages even with inevitable injuries.
 
Back
Top