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Takeaways from Miami Football’s First Spring Practice

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Photo Credit: Geo Milian / LifeWallet Sports

Miami returned to the Greentree Practice Fields on Saturday morning for its first spring practice of 2023.

Practice was followed by a media availability with head coach Mario Cristobal, quarterback Tyler Van Dyke, linebacker Wesley Bissainthe and safety Kamren Kinchens.

Here are five takeaways from UM’s practice and the interviews that followed. 

1. Newcomers’ jersey numbers were announced, and key veterans changed their numbers.

 Here is a list of jersey numbers for Miami’s newcomers:

5 – Nathaniel Joseph

7 – Davonte Brown

12 – Robby Washington

17 – Bobby Washington Jr.

17 – Emory Williams

18 – Jayden Wayne

24 – Malik Bryant

44 – Reuben Bain Jr.

51 – Francisco Mauigoa

55 – Matt Lee

58 – Branson Deen

59 – Thomas Gore

61 – Francis Mauigoa

63 – Samson Okunlola

70 – Javion Cohen

Here is a list of UM players who changed their numbers from last season: 

0 – Brashard Smith

0 – Te’Cory Couch

2 – Daryl Porter Jr.

3 – Akheem Mesidor

4 – Colbie Young

5 – Kamren Kinchens

9 – Nyjalik Kelly

13 – Michael Redding III

15 – Markeith Williams

20 – James Williams

2. Javion Cohen and Akheem Mesidor headline the list of unavailabilities. 

Cohen was not at Miami’s first practice of the spring because he is attending the NFL Symposium for future projected pro prospects at Indianapolis.

The Alabama transfer and interior offensive lineman was recognized on the All-SEC second team in 2022. Cohen started 10 of the 12 games he played in.

Mesidor, who led UM with seven sacks last year, along with defensive lineman Leonard Taylor and offensive lineman Zion Nelson, did not practice.

Mesidor is expected to return sometime in the spring, and Taylor should be ready to make his return by May, according to head coach Mario Cristobal.

Nelson, who was hindered by injuries throughout much of 2022, has been steadily recovering.

“He’s doing well,” Cristobal said. “He’s on the mend.”

 The full list of players who were not available at practice was not announced.

3. Early impressions of Shannon Dawson’s offense are positive.

UM’s offense should look much different than it did last year with new offensive coordinator and play-caller Shannon Dawson calling plays. Dawson has a background running air raid offenses that feature up-tempo elements. 

Quarterback Tyler Van Dyke mentioned that the offense goes “fast” and that it is “well-balanced.” Cristobal noted that there’s a “significant change” in the passing game with Dawson calling plays.

Cristobal, like Van Dyke, complimented Dawson’s balanced style of offense. 

“The guy’s created some explosive offenses over the years,” Cristobal said. “He’s done it through the air [and] on the ground.”

4. Kevin Beard brings energy and intensity to Miami’s coaching staff .

 Miami hired Toledo wide receivers coach Kevin Beard to be its new wide receivers coach this past Wednesday.

Beard, a former UM player and wide receivers coach in 2015, brought energy and electricity to practice on Saturday. 

“Coach Beard, besides from being a great player, he was a guy that when he was here was always getting guys for extra meeting time, keeping them after practice to run extra routes, finding a way to make sure that everybody was taking care of business in school in study hall. He’s that kind of guy.”

5. Key defenders are growing into leadership roles. 

Linebacker Wesley Bissainthe, who is entering only his second season at Miami, has already taken a leadership role with freshmen linebackers Malik Bryant and Bobby Washington Jr.

“Bobby and Malik, those are my guys already. I’m spending every day with them. If they ask me a question, I help them out,” Bissainthe said. 

Junior safety Kamren Kinchens also noted that both he and third-year defensive back James Williams are stepping up as leaders as upperclassmen this upcoming season.

Miami’s next spring practice is scheduled for Tuesday.

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