Mario Cristobal played for the University of Miami from 1989-1992. The teams he played for won two national championships and at that time “The U” was in the upper tier of college football.
It wasn’t all downhill after ‘92. Miami had a run at the beginning of this century where they won 46 games in four years under Butch Davis and Larry Coker that reminded everyone of how good the Hurricanes could be.
But since they joined the ACC in 2004, they haven’t come close to reaching the heights they have previously reached as a program. They haven’t even been able to win a conference championship.
Last year was Cristobal’s third season as the head coach of his alma mater and they finally broke through with 10 wins. It was the program’s first double digit win season since 2017 when Mark Richt was the head coach.
For Miami fans, it was partly a sign of hope and also a reminder that they still aren’t there yet as a program. The Hurricanes started out 9-0, but went 1-3 in their final four games. They gave up a lead against Syracuse in the last regular season game and it cost them a chance at making the College Football Playoff.
10-3 was the record they deserved, though. They had a great offense and a disappointing defense. They won their first three one score games and then lost their last three.
Cristobal’s response this offseason was to clean house with his defensive staff. They only kept one position coach and brought in a new defensive coordinator along with three new staff members. They also brought in several transfers. Six of them will start on defense, including five in their back seven.
Projected 15th in F+, they have expectations that they’ll get over the hump this season. The Canes have some high end talent with multiple players who could be first round picks next spring. They are mixed in with the most expensive quarterback addition in college football and a lot of young, unproven players on both sides of the ball.
Their opening week matchup against Notre Dame is a hugely important game for them. It’s not just about perception for Miami as a program who hasn’t won these types of games. Losing will put enormous pressure on them for the rest of the season because they also play Florida as an out of conference opponent.
This is year four for Cristobal just like it is year four for Marcus Freeman at Notre Dame. This game will be a measuring stick for how far Cristobal has taken the program and whether or not he might be taking it back to where they used to be.
Offense
Miami offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson’s connections to the Air Raid run deep. He is a Hal Mumme disciple and former assistant on Dana Holgorsen’s staff at both West Virginia and Houston. It doesn’t get much deeper than that.
He’s been an OC at several different programs going all the way back to WVU from 2012-2014, Kentucky in 2015, Southern Miss from 2016-2018, Houston in 2021-2022, and then to Miami starting in 2023. He oversaw massive improvement for them in his first season with the offense climbing from 92nd in OF+ the year before he took over to 36th in his first season. With the addition of Cam Ward at quarterback as a transfer, the Canes finished first in OF+ in 2024.
They were first in 1st in adjusted EPA per play, second in EPA per dropback, fourth in passing success rate, fifth in EPA per rush, and fourth in rushing success rate. They were basically elite in every measurable way.
They are projected third in OF+ this season, but having similar success as last season could be a lot more difficult. Prior to last season, they were 14th in returning production on offense and had brought in Ward. He had spent four years playing in an Air Raid offensive scheme before he got to Miami. It’s a different scenario this season.
While they are bringing back a ton of experience on the offensive line, they have to replace Ward and their top-six pass catchers. Their new quarterback was physically unable to participate during spring ball and they weren’t able to add the kind of impact skill players they wanted to as transfers. They’ll be relying on Carson Beck and a lot of young talent to be firing on all cylinders the same immediately against Notre Dame’s defense.
It’s also been a mixed bag for Dawson throughout his career in terms of results as a play-caller. The only other time he’s had a top-10 offense in OF+ was back in 2012 with Geno Smith at WVU. After Smith left they dropped to 70th. Dawson’s other offenses have finished 34th, 78th, 68th, 105th, 120th, 42nd, and 24th before he got to Miami.
It feels like the offense could regress more than what’s been projected.
Expected Strengths
It all starts up front with four starters returning who had a combined 2,994 snaps last season. They brought in James Brockermeyer, the starting center for TCU last season, and are also bringing back another former starter who was injured in week one last year. It very well could be the best offensive line Notre Dame faces this season.
The offense was fourth in tackles for loss allowed per game and 14th in havoc rate against. The O-line was a big reason for those numbers.
They have three good backs running behind that offensive line. The running game should be very good and stopping the run will be very important for the Irish.
A big reason why Georgia Tech was able to hold Miami to its lowest point total last season (23) had to do with stifling their running game. They were the only team to hold Miami to under 4.0 YPC and the Canes had zero explosive runs that day.
They may have a lot of new faces at receiver, but they don’t lack speed there or at the skill positions as a whole. They have big play threats in the backfield, at tight end, and with some receivers who are capable of stretching the field.
Miami was third in receptions of 20+ yards last season and while they may not reach that level this season, Dawson's offenses have finished in the top-25 in explosive passing at WVU, Southern Miss, and Houston before Miami. Ward was sixth in the country in deep passing attempts last season and I would expect their offense to continue to be aggressive in attacking down the field.
Potential Weaknesses
As previously mentioned, it’s a brand new passing game. Beck wasn’t available in the spring while recovering from elbow surgery and a lot of receivers weren’t either.
The leading returning receivers are RB Mark Fletcher with 10 catches and TE Elija Lofton with nine. The transfers they brought have also not been super productive at the Power 4 level. They are going to need a bunch of players to produce like they never have before at this level of college football.
Beck was one of the top quarterbacks in the country in 2023 at Georgia when he had first round picks Brock Bowers and Ladd McConkey to throw to. With less proven talent, his play dipped. When circumstances are good, he can be as good as any quarterback in the country. They will likely get the passing game rolling this fall, but circumstances won’t be ideal for this first game.
It is notable that Miami didn’t face a single defense that finished in the top-30 in EPA (expected points added) per dropback last season. Notre Dame should have a much improved pass rush as well as a ton of experience returning in their back seven from a defense that finished first in the country in EPA per dropback.
Personnel notes
#11 QB Carson Beck
- 6-4 220
- Georgia transfer
- 24-3 as a starter
- 3,485 yards, 28 TDs in 2024
- Pressured the fourth lowest percentage out of P4 QBs last season, 21.3% of dropbacks
- 8th best PFF grade for P4 QBs with clean pocket
- 20 turnover-worthy plays, 6th most in the FBS
- INT total doubled from 6 to 12
- 4 games where he threw at least 2 INTs
- elbow injury in SEC Championship game, had Tommy John surgery
- missed spring ball, but back for fall camp
- 7th in QBR in 2023, 12th in 2024
- UGA had 2nd most drops out of Power 4 programs in ‘24
- horrendous when pressured, poor footwork and mechanics
- 2nd worst PFF grade for P4 QBs when pressured
- 32.4% completions vs pressure, bottom percentile in EPA per pressured dropack
- 9.4% turnover-worthy plays vs pressure tied for the worst out of P4 QBs
- will go on tilt
- not a dual-threat, but decent athlete who can move the chains with his legs
- great rhythm thrower, can get on a heater
- quick release
- Senior Bowl top-300
- dropped from 7th to 50th in EPA per dropback last season
- elite baseball prospect in HS
#8 QB Emory Williams
- 6-5 220
- broken left arm knocked him out of true freshman season (2023)
- flashes plus arm strength
- above average athlete, district qualifier in hurdling events in 10th grade
- started vs Clemson in ‘23, 4.6 YPA and just getting the ball out quickly
- start vs FSU in ‘23: 34.8% completions
- 5-for-14 for 26 yards with one interception vs Iowa St in Pop Tarts Bowl
#16 QB Luke Nickel
- 6-2 205
- has flashed in the spring and summer, but not ready to play
- two time state champ in HS
#4 RB Mark Fletcher
- 6-2 225
- injured foot as a freshman, also tore labrum
- 4 starts last season, 607 rushing, 5.4 YPC
- 9 rushing TDs
- 9th ranked underclassmen RB by Dane Brugler
- reshaped his body over the last year
- physical runner, 2.9 yards after contact per attempt
- 3 fumbles last season
#2 RB Jordan Lyle
- 6-0 205
- 402 rushing as a true frosh
- two runs of 60+
- 7.4 YPC
- gained 15 pounds since last season
- had a strong camp and possibly RB1
- 100-yard games vs USF and Wake
#6 RB CharMar Brown
- 5-11 218
- NDSU transfer
- won Jerry Rice award as top FCS frosh last season as RS frosh
- 4.9 YPC, 1,181 yards and 15 touchdown
s - 90.7 PFF grade at NDSU
- finishes runs, good power
#0 WR JoJoTrader
- 6-1 180
- suffered ankle injury during camp, working his way back
- availability uncertain
- great job separating at the catch point
- 6 for 91 as a true frosh, started the bowl game
- projected starter outside
- big time traits, smooth as a route runner
- 41-yard run after catch TD in bowl game
- had injuries bother him all last season
- 22.26m long jump in HS as 10th grader
#7 WR CJ Daniels
- 6-2 205
- 6th year player
- previously at LSU and Liberty
- over 1,000 yards at Liberty in ‘23
- 4th leading receiver for LSU in ‘24
- missed most of spring with an injury
- good route runner, reliable hands
- dropped from 11th to 283rd in EPA per target after LSU transfer
- caught 14 of 16 contested targets the last two seasons
- 19.3 per catch in final year at Liberty, was more of a deep threat there
- ADOT in final year at Liberty was 15.9 yards
- 12 receptions of 30+ yards in ‘23, 8th in country
- reported sub-4.5 40
#5 WR Ray Ray Joseph
- 5-10 175
- great short area quickness
- had a strong spring
- returned 3 kicks for TDs in high school
- considered to be the most dependable option
- 12 catches in first two seasons
- primary punt returner last season
#0 WR Keelan Marion
- 6-0 195
- previously at UCONN and BYU, spring portal
- All-American kick returner, 26.2 per return
- 2 return TDs in ‘24
- never caught more than 28 balls in a season
- only 1 receiving TD the last two seasons
- 20.7mph on a KR TD vs Utah last season
- utilized on jet sweeps, quick game most often at BYU
#17 WR Tony Johnson
- Previously at Cincinnati and FAU, spring portal
- solid route runner, reliable hands
- primarily a slot
- 85 catches the last two seasons
- more of a possession type, average YAC ability
#10 WR Malachi Toney
- 5-11 182
- true freshman, re-classified to 2025
- pushing to start in the slot
- good route runner, short area quicks
- has impressed the most out of all young WRs at camp and spring
- described as a special talent
- voted South Florida’s top player as HS SR
#3 WR Joshua Moore
- 6-4 215
- true freshman who has had big time flashes
- Put on 10 pounds since he arrived at Miami
- considered to be their future WR1
- vertical threat on the boundary
#12 WR Ny Carr
- 6-0 175
- 1 catch for 8 yards as true frosh
- went into portal, but stayed at Miami
- great speed, explosive potential
- 2024 ISD Fab 50
#9 TE Elijah Lofton
- 6-3 238
- 9 catches, but 16.7 per reception as frosh
- highest PFF grade for true frosh TEs
- great athlete, big YAC potential
- 5 missed tackles forced on 9 catches -
11.7 100m as HS frosh
- H-back type who can split out
- solid blocker
- 28-yard run on fake punt in bowl game
- coaches have compared him to Penn St TE Tyler Warren
#87 TE Alex Bauman
- 6-5 245
- Tulane transfer
- brother of Kevin Bauman
- caught 12 TDs the last two seasons
- more of an in-line option, but been a below average run blocker during his career
#88 TE Luka Gilbert
- 6-7 260
- true freshman
- moves well for his size, considered more in-line
- former basketball player
#70 LT Markel Bell
- 6-9 340
- previously at Holmes JC for first two collegiate seasons
- 5 starts last season, 543 snaps
- tough time dealing with speed in pass pro
- big potential, but largely inconsistent
- super long and considered to be in much better shape this season
#62 RT Tommy Kinsler
- 6-6 340
- 45 snaps at LT last season
- considered to be the backup at RT
#61 RT Francis Mauigoa
- 6-6 325
- played LT at IMG
- 81-inch wing and 4.5 short shuttle in HS
- started all 26 games of college career
- pad level can be an issue in both run game and anchoring vs speed to power at times
- can struggle to identify stunts
- strong punch, gets out of stance very quick
- moves really well at his size
- can give up edge if he doesn’t control rusher with initial punch
- gets caught leaning and being over aggressive at times
- potential OT1 in the NFL Draft
- Feldman’s Freaks List, 30.5 vert
- 2nd team All-ACC last season
- 1st team All-ACC in preseason
- allowed only 2 sacks/QB hits last season, only FBS OT to do so
- Senior Bowl top-300
- tore labrum in both shoulders during freshman season
- 2023 ISD Fab 50
#63 LT Samson Okunlola
- 6-6 300
- elite HS wrestler, top-10 in country at heavyweight
- 93 career snaps
- surgery on his finger after last season
- highly touted recruit
- brother played DE for Pitt
- considered the sixth man up front, had a strong camp
- 2023 ISD Fab 50
#73 RG Anez Cooper
- 6-4 335
- seen as potential late round NFL pick
- 22nd ranked SR iOL by Dane Brugler
- multi-year starter, over 2,000 snaps in his career
- 49.0 pass block grade in true pass sets
- has had weight issues, but dropped down a lot
#78 LG Matthew McCoy
- 6-6 290
- returning starter at LG
- struggled vs FSU DTs last season
- just a guy
#76 LG/C Ryan Rodriguez
- 6-2 275
- starter at LG to open last season
- Season ending injury in week 1
- played 123 snaps in ‘23
- projected backup this season
- considered to be the next man in at center
#52 C James Brockermeyer
- 6-3 295
- Previously at TCU and Alabama
- never played at Bama, started 12 games for TCU
- 812 snaps
- 3rd best PFF grade for B12 centers in ‘24
- Senior Bowl top-300
Key for Notre Dame
Pressure Beck on over 30% of dropbacks
Slowing down the run game is going to be important, but the biggest factor in the game could be the amount of pressure Notre Dame is able to put on Beck. He’s Stefan Urquelle with a clean pocket and Steve Urkel when pressured.
He was pressured over 30% of dropbacks in only four of his 13 starts last season.
Against Kentucky (33.3% pressure) Georgia managed only 13 points and Beck’s yards per attempt was only 6.7. Georgia lost to Ole Miss (35.9%) with Beck’s YPA at 6.0 and he threw one interception.
Though Georgia beat Texas twice, it wasn’t because of Beck. In the first matchup (30.2%) his YPA was 4.3 and he threw three interceptions. In the SEC Championship game (42.9%) his YPA was 4.3 again before he was knocked out of the game with an injury.
Notre Dame pressured Gunner Stockton on 53.8% of his dropbacks when they played Georgia in the Sugar Bowl.
Cam Ward was pressured on over 30% or more of his dropbacks in six of his nine games versus Power 4 opponents.
Defense
Miami had an offense worthy of making the CFP. The defense was the reason why they were forced to win multiple shootouts. They allowed 30.5 points per game against Power 4 competition and finished 59th in DF+ and 52nd in EPA per play last season. That’s why Cristobal has completely revamped the staff and the personnel on defense.
The new defensive coordinator is Corey Hetherman. He was at Minnesota last season and was very successful in his lone year working for PJ Fleck. They finished 12th in DF+ and 15th in points per drive.
He’s a rising star in the industry after having success running defenses at the FCS level at Maine and James Madison. He worked for Curt Cignetti there and the program went 33-5 during Hetherman’s three seasons on that staff. In 2021 He was named AFCA FCS Assistant Coach of the Year.
He’s come in and simplified things to help limit the mistakes that happened far too frequently at Miami last season. That same approach helped Minnesota allow the fourth least amount of 20+ yard plays from scrimmage last season.
We’ll see if Hetherman can have the same kind of immediate success he had at Minnesota. He inherited a much different situation there. That defense was 17th in returning production and projected to be in the top-20. The previous coordinator, Joe Rossi, was very successful and the decline in play the previous season had more to do with several injuries to their back seven than the overall philosophy on defense.
Under Rossi, Minnesota was just as good at not giving up explosive plays. They were seventh, first, and ninth in that category before a drop off in 2023.
Hetherman didn’t change the structure much at Minnesota. It’s a bit different at Miami and there are a whole lot of new players in the secondary who have not played together before this season.
Hetherman will likely bring a lot of pressure on all downs in this matchup. Not to just to try and rattle CJ Carr, but also run blitzes to try and disrupt what Notre Dame wants to accomplish on the ground.
This defense is going to be better and it would be surprising to me if they didn’t finish quite a bit higher than where they are projected (54th in DF+). How much better will likely determine whether they can make the CFP this season.
Expected Strengths
Tyler Baron and Simeon Barrow finished first and second for Miami in pressures and tied for the team lead in sacks. Those two are gone, but the pass rush could be just as good or better this season with a healthier Rueben Bain (projected first round pick) and some promising young talent up front.
They finished ninth in PFF’s pass rush grade, 18th in sacks per game (44th in sack rate), and were third in pressure rate on traditional dropbacks in 2024.
This Miami defensive line might not be able to match the top-three that Texas A&M had last season, but it could be the best one Notre Dame faces during the 2025 regular season.
They were 17th in rushing success rate last fall and Hetherman’s defense has traditionally played well against the run. Minnesota was 31st in EPA per rush and 23rd in rushing success rate last season.
They didn’t have close to the same kind of talent up front that Miami has.
Miami’s two starting outside corners are true sophomores and have immense potential. They both have the tools to develop into very high NFL picks.
Potential Weaknesses
They were 94th in 20+ yard plays from scrimmage against and 99th in 20+ yard passes against last season. It’s a new scheme, new coaches, and a new secondary, but a huge reason why they gave up so many big plays had to do with poor tackling.
They were 90th in PFF’s tackling grades. They have several players in the two-deep of their secondary who have been poor tacklers during their career and three of them are transfers who were brought in to help fix the defense.
They were 118th in 3rd down passer rating and 108th in red zone defense touchdown percentage allowed last season. Minnesota was sixth and 16th in those categories last season. Those areas where Miami should greatly improve, but a bunch of new faces in the back seven could mean they aren’t great in those two areas in week one.
Minnesota played a “bend, but don’t break” style and it worked well. USC’s offense had a 61% success rate against them, but the defense forced three turnovers to hold the Trojan to a low point total. Penn State had a 52% success rate, but were unable to deliver in the red zone in a game that Minnesota almost pulled off an upset.
Succeeding in that way takes a lot of discipline and a defense with six transfers starting might not be all that disciplined to start the season.
Personnel notes
#4 Edge Rueben Bain
- 6-3 270
- projected top-15 pick
- 2023 ACC Rookie of the Year on defense
- will rush from multiple alignments
- soft tissue injury hampered him last year, injured after first three plays of season
- missed 4 games
- 73 pressures in his 1st two seasons
- 1st team All-ACC in preseason
- 4th ranked underclassmen edge by Dane Brugler
- strong at POA - good bend, but game based on power
- has had a very strong camp
- 13 TFLs, 7.5 sacks, 43 pressures as true freshman in ‘23
- massive drop off last season, only 5.5 havoc plays
- if he gets back to ‘23 level, the best DL ND will play this season
- dominant vs Louisville in ‘24, 10 pressures
- 6 pressures in bowl game vs Iowa St
- 22.6% win rate vs TPS in ‘24
- 28.6% vs TPS in ‘23
- similar skill set, but better version of Ashton Gillotte
- lost some excess and been explosive in the preseason
#3 Edge Akheem Mesidor
- 6-3 280
- Started out at WVU, 6th year players
- Frosh All-American at WVU, 2nd team All-Big 12
- flexibility to play inside, viewed as his future home in the NFL
- 19th ranked SR DT by Dane Brugler
-5.5 sacks led the team last season, 9 TFLs
- 86.1 PFF grade since he’s been at Miami
- has dropped weight from last season, changed his body
- Senior Bowl top-300
- injured in 2023, tore ligaments in both feet and limited to 3 games
- 15.5 havoc plays in 2022
- plus pass rusher, multiple pressures in 8 games
- 21.0% win rate vs TPS in ‘24
- 20% vs TPS in ‘22
#18 Edge Armondo Blount
- 6-4 260
- elite shot put and discus results in HS
- 7 games as a frosh, only one pressure in 40 pass rush opportunities
- could potential play DT as well
- 2024 ISD Fab 50
#9 Edge Malik Bryant
- 6-2 225
- undersized edge
- 11 pressures in only 74 pass rush opportunities
- 6 vs Va Tech
- 22.2% win rate vs TPS
#12 Edge Marquis Lightfoot
- 6-5 230
- 35-inch arm in HS
- reactive athlete, good twitch
- raw and needs to add strength, but sub-package potential
- only appeared in one game as a frosh
- 2024 ISD Fab 50
#14 Edge Hayden Lowe
- 6-5 250
- true freshman
- freaky traits
- 16 sacks as HS SR
#5 DT Justin Scott
- 6-4 298
- freaky athlete, former basketball player
- 1.56 10-yard split is elite
- extremely inconsistent motor and technique as a HS prospect
- 2 TFLs as a frosh, 113 total snaps
- Highest snap count was 17 in a game
- explosive flashes as a pass rusher
#11 DT David Blay
- 6-4 303
- Louisiana Tech transfer
- nose tackle, holds up well at POA
- 10.5 TFLs last season
- 1st team All- C-USA
- another player who dropped weight since arriving at Miami
- worst run grade of the season in lone game vs P4 comp, 34.9 vs NC State
#99 DT Ahmad Moten
- 6-3 325
- started final two games, 293 total snaps
- disruptive flashes as a pass rusher
- 4 havoc plays in the final 4 games
- 10 pressures in his final 5 games
- 25.5% win rate vs TPS
#90 DT Daylen Russell
- 6-3 275
- RS last season
- has had a strong fall camp
- considered a rotation player
#93 DT Donta Simpson
- 6-3 281
- true freshman
- buzzed about since the spring
- expected to be a rotation player this fall
- 44.5 TFLs in final two seasons of dominance in HS
#31 LB Wesley Bissainthe
- 6-1 232
- 59 tackles, leading returning tackler
- 9th rated SR LB by Dane Brugler
- Senior Bowl top-300
- 7 havoc plays
- multi-year starter at Will
- 124 snaps as overhang defender last season
- good coverage player, 7th best PFF grade out of P4 LBs
- consistent tackler
- added 10 pounds
- clocked running over 20mph in practice
LB Mohamed Toure
- 6-2 236
- Rutgers transfer
- Hetherman was his position coach at Rutgers
- multiple season-ending knee injuries
- two time team captain at Rutgers
- 93 tackles in ‘23, 9.5 TFLs
- has edge rush ability, previously played full-time there
- 14th ranked SR LB by Dane Brugler
- projected starter at Mike
- good vs inside run game, great instincts
#32 LB Kamal Bonner
- 6-2 214
- NC State transfer
- part-time starter
- flashes as a blitzer, 7 TFLs
- 25.4% is 4th worst missed tackle percentage for P4 LBs
- projected backup at Will
- allowed over 80% completions when targeted in coverage
#22 LB Cam Pruitt
- 6-2 200
- made big improvements from spring to fall
- 4.5 havoc plays in only 72 snaps
- considered a breakout player for them this fall
- likely heavier than this, but they don’t list an updated weight
- projected 3rd LB to come in when they want to play with 3 LBs
#10 LB Raul Aguirre
- 6-2 233
- 171 snaps last season, started bowl game
- projected backup at Mike
#7 S Zechariah Poyser
- 6-2 200
- Jacksonville St transfer
- frosh All-American in 2024 (as RS frosh)
- 11 PBUs, 3 INTs last season
- projected starter
- gained 20 pounds since last season
- 416 snaps a slot defender
- 57.4 passer rating when targeted, 50.3 as slot defender
- only 1 career game vs P4 comp
#8 S Jakobe Thomas
- 6-2 202
- previously at Tennessee and MTSU
- multi-year starter at MTSU, 263 snaps at Tenn
- 3 TFLs, 5 total havoc plays in ‘24
- 18 total havoc plays the previous 2 years at MTSU
- projected starter
- 21.3% missed tackles in college career
- 115.6 NFL passer rating when targeted during his career
#13 S Bryce Fitzgerald
- 6-0 172
- true freshman
- flashes in fall camp with ball production
- super productive playmaker in HS, 10 INTs as JR
- 10.68 100m, 21.9 200m in HS
#23 S Dylan Day
- 6-2 200
- 21.63 200m in HS
- pushing to be 3rd safety
- a lot of ball production in camp
- made impact on special teams as true frosh
- 3rd as JR in Louisiana 1A 200-meter finals
#6 CB Xavier Lucas
- 6-2 198
- Wisconsin transfer
- 4.5 havoc plays as freshman, 203 snaps
- NFL traits - 10.49 100m in HS
- impressed in the spring and locked down starting job
- 2nd best PFF grade for freshman CBs last season
- 1 start vs Nebraska at end of the season
#29 CB OJ Frederique
- 6-0 180
- Frosh All-American in 2024
- 9 total havoc plays, 57.0 NFL passer rating when targeted
- 4 catches for 100 yards vs Syracuse last season, flagged 3 times
- Trebor Pena beat him deep despite a PI call
- beat twice bad on inside release vs Jackson Meeks
- very good in man coverage last season, 30.4% completions and 68.9 passer rating
#19 CB Charles Brantley
- 6-0 170
- Michigan St transfer
- over 1,400 career snaps
- 3 INTs, 11.5 total havoc in ‘24
- 23 passes defended in his career
- size an issue as a tackler
- 21.6% missed tackle percentage last season, 22% in career
- elite triple jump and high jump results in HS
#2 CB Damari Brown
- 6-2 195
- 331 snaps, 5 starts in 2023
- missed most of 2024 season with a foot injury
- 1.5 TFLs, zero ball production in coverage so far
- not a strong tackler, 26.9% missed tackles
- could possibly move to nickel
- a lot of ball production in HS, known for jumping shorter routes
- reports that he is still not 100% after last season
#0 Nickel Keionte Scott
- 6-0 192
- Previously at Auburn, JC
- JC All-American at Snow College in Utah
- 22 career starts in the SEC
- 9 havoc plays in 2022
- 10.94 100m, elite long jump results in HS
- 44.3 PFF coverage grade at Auburn last season, 145.1 passer rating when targeted
- 19.8 yards per reception allowed
- returned a 74-yard punt for a TD in ‘23 vs Arkansas
- averaged 14.8 per return that season, 4th in the country
- 2nd team All-SEC punt returner
- 41.8 PFF grade in man coverage last season
- had surgery on his ankle in 2023
- will be decisive and downhill vs perimeter screen game, but can get overly aggressive
- was viewed by NFL scouts as potential starting nickel before last season
#24 CB Ethan O’Connor
- 6-1 183
- Washington St transfer
- played at 165 last season
- 4 INTs, 13 havoc plays as RS frosh in ‘24
- good physicality despite size, but also misses tackles
- 19% missed tackles last season
- allowed 149.3 passer rating, 5 catches for 62 yards 1 TD vs UW
- 11.03 100m in HS
Key for Notre Dame
Make Miami’s DBs tackle
It goes without saying that Notre Dame has to win up front. If they control the line of scrimmage, they’ll have a lot of success. In addition to that, they have to make these Miami defensive backs prove they can tackle.
They have two safeties starting for them who haven’t started a game at the Power 4 level. They have four players who have missed tackle percentages above 19% for their career and Notre Dame has dynamic running backs who are difficult to tackle, a beast at tight end, and their top two receivers who weigh 215 and 222 pounds respectively. There should be plenty of opportunities for Notre Dame’s skill players to make plays after the catch.
Special Teams
Miami has some dangerous options in the return game. Marion could be their Jayden Harrison as a kick returner and that’s his primary value to the team after transferring from BYU. Scott was good when returning punts at Auburn. Toney is a possibility as a returner as well and Joseph returned punts for them last season.
K Andres Borregales (6th round) is off to the NFL after a fantastic season. He finished 18 of 19 on field goals in 2024. They’ll be transitioning from someone who was pretty much automatic to someone who they are unsure of.
They had to hope Bert Auburn would bounce back to his previous form after having major struggles at the end of last season at Texas, but reports have said he has been up and down during camp. He’s in a battle with Carter Davis, who was brought in as a kickoff specialist. Who wins this job is something to monitor.
Joyce is back for his third season as Miami’s punter. He didn’t get a ton of opportunities last season, but his numbers weren’t as good as they were as a freshman.
#45 K Bert Auburn
- 6-0 185
- Texas transfer
- 16 of 25 on field goals in ‘24
- 10 of 11 inside 40
- made only 42.8% over 40
- made over 80% of his kicks in ‘22 and ‘23
- 8 of his last 14, missed two kicks in SEC Champ game vs UGA
- 1 for 3 vs ASU in CFP, 1 for 2 vs A&M
#38 K Carter Davis
- 4 for 11 FGs at FAU
- 2 of 7 on FGs last season -
big leg, 73% touchbacks with kickoffs
- long of 51 yards in 2024
#94 P Dylan Joyce
- 6-2 213
- Aussie punter
- 42.7 per punt last season
- 39.1 net per punt was 78th last season
- 34.6% of his punts were returned last season
- true freshman All-American in 2023
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