The first transfer portal window is officially closed. After opening on December 5th, players had until Wednesday, January 18th to declare for the portal or wait until May, when another 15-day window opens. When the dust settled, Miami had lost 19 to the portal and gained 8 new players. With the addition of 25 high school enrollees and 8 new transfers, Miami has the opportunity to bring 32 new players to the program with a potential of 6-8 more when May rolls around. Thus far, Miami’s strategy with recruiting in the portal has been one of quality over quantity. Let’s take a look at what positions Miami has bolstered so far:
OL- Javion Cohen & Matt Lee
The first big portal addition was Javion Cohen. Cohen was a multi-year starter who never allowed a single sack at Alabama. When he entered the portal, Cohen was considered the number one OL who could play multiple positions along the line. Miami would love him to play guard, but he may also kick out as a tackle when needed. This flexibility, plus the fact Cohen was part of a premier program in the past decade, gives Miami a proven talent at the guard position. The Canes also added UCF center Matt Lee, after fending off Oklahoma, who was heavily involved after he hit the portal. A three-year starter for UCF, Lee was the third-best 2022 FBS center and only allowed two sacks over the past two seasons. The additions of Cohen and Lee give Miami two seasoned, proven veterans that raise the level of the offensive line.
DL- Thomas Gore & Branson Deen
The defensive line received an infusion of talent with the additions of Georgia State’s Thomas Gore and Perdue’s Branson Deen. Gore tallied 38 tackles and 5 sacks last season along with two forced fumbles. Gore has also been recognized as a PFF First-Team All-Sun Belt selection. Although small for a DT, the coaches love his relentless motor and productivity. For those concerned about his size, his build is very similar to Pittsburgh’s Calijah Kancey who was the ACC’s Defensive Player of the Year. Miami is hoping that Gore can provide similar production.
Deen is a massive addition to the Cane’s defensive front. Last year he totaled 28 total tackles, 18 solo tackles, and 2.5 sacks mostly as a 3/4T. In comparison, Leonard Taylor, who is Miami’s most talented interior lineman, totaled 24 total tackles, 11 solo tackles, and 3 sacks. Let’s keep in mind that Deen produced those stats in the Big 10 Conference, a conference known to produce some of the best offensive linemen in the nation. The fact that Deen had similar production as Taylor, against better competition, should get Canes fans excited about the interior of the DL. Deen brings production and experience as this will be his 5th year in college. Canes fans can expect a more veteran, mature and talented defensive line in 2023.
CB- Davonte Brown & Terry Roberts
Miami landed Davonte Brown, UCF transfer and older brother of 2023 standout Damari Brown, at cornerback. With both Tyrique Stevenson and DJ Ivey declaring for the NFL draft, cornerback was the biggest area Miami needed to address in the portal. Brown now has the opportunity to come in, start right away and lock up one of the outside cornerback spots. Here are the strengths that Brown will bring to the cornerback room according to nfldraftbuzz.com:
• Has the fluidity, speed, and quick feet to come down and defend slot receivers in man coverage. Brown also does a nice job breaking down in space as a tackler after the catch.
• His ball skills are very good. Brown tracks the ball well downfield and has the hands and coordination to come away with interceptions even when Brown isn’t targeted often.
• Has the change-of-direction ability to mirror underneath but did solid work out of the press and off coverage.
• He’s also very good in zone coverage, showing a great understanding of routes and the ability to close quickly.
• Instincts are outstanding, and he does an excellent job in route recognition.
• Has good ball skills to locate and attack the ball in the air.
I expect Brown to have a breakout season, like in his sophomore year, where he held opposing QBs to a 62.1 QB rating when targeted; this will allow him to become one of the best defensive backs at Miami in the 2023-2024 season.
Terry Roberts, the grad transfer cornerback from Iowa, gave his pledge to Miami as well. Roberts gives Miami a veteran presence, that if he stays healthy like in 2022, was the best cornerback for Iowa posting a 79.9 cover grade and a 79 overall defensive grade. A fifth-year senior, Roberts brings experience and savvy to the cornerback room with the chance to claim the other open cornerback spot opposite Devonte Brown. Roberts will add quality depth by playing significant snaps and one can expect him to be one of the most electric special team players on the Hurricanes roster.
LB- Francisco Mauigoa
Miami added Francisco Mauigoa, the older brother of Francis Mauigoa, at linebacker. The Washington State linebacker is a 6’3, 215lb standout that continues the trend of Miami adding linebackers that have the size and build of SEC championship-level linebackers. Mauigoa recorded 66 tackles, 5.5 TFL 3 forced fumbles, 3.5 sacks, and a pick-six in 2022. He has the speed that has been lacking at LB and the expectation is he will be a starter in the upcoming season with Wesley Bissainthe.
TE- Cam McCormick
The TE transfer from Oregon, Cam McCormick, has played 7 years in college with two years of eligibility remaining. Many Canes fans saw this take as a reach after 6 portal additions of starter-level ability. But McCormick provides some valuable tools which make him a high-quality addition. First, he is familiar with Mario Cristobal and what he expects out of his TE. McCormick is a role player who understands his assignment and will do what Mario expects of him. Miami has struggled with finding a TE who can block, and that lack of a blocking TE is even more apparent with Mallory gone. McCormick might be the best blocking TE Miami has seen in the past 5 years and the protection he will bring is an element that has been sorely missing in Miami. With his focus on blocking, defenses often forgot about him, which allowed him to produce 3 short- yardage touchdowns for the Ducks last year. Expect McCormick to thrive as a very valuable role player who will give the Miami offense a tool it has been missing for quite a while.
