Takeaways from Miami Football’s Fourth Spring Practice

After more than a week-long absence because of spring break, the Miami Hurricanes returned to the Greentree Practice Fields on Tuesday morning for their fourth practice of the spring.

Following the practice, reporters spoke to tight end Cam McCormick, wide receiver Xavier Restrepo and defensive linemen Nyjalik Kelly and Branson Deen.

Here are three takeaways from the practice and subsequent media availability.

1. Transfers detail how the adjustment to Miami has been.

Both Oregon transfer Cam McCormick and Purdue transfer Branson Deen are expected to be instant-impact players at Miami, and both spoke to the media or the first time this spring.

McCormick, an eighth-year tight end who has two seasons of eligibility remaining, is excited for the “fresh start” that his Hurricanes tenure brings.

“This was definitely a fresh start. I had been over [at Oregon] for seven years. I was kind of ready for some change, just as a person, living there for so long,” McCormick said. “I was ready to change up and experience something new. I felt like the opportunities here outside of football and within football are endless and I feel like that’s kinda what grew my attention to coming out here.”

Deen, a defensive lineman who has one year of eligibility remaining, says his reason for transferring to Miami was focused on winning, among other things.

“I think it just gives me the best shot at winning a championship. I love the people. I love [Miami head coach Mario] Cristobal. He’s building this program from the linemen up … I just loved his vision for what we got going on here.”

2. Xavier Restrepo updates his health status and voices his support for UM’s new offense.

After battling through an injury-riddled 2022 season, Restrepo is healthy and prepared to help lead Miami’s offense under the direction of new offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson.

“I feel great. I’m 100%. I’m back,” Restrepo said.

On Dawson, Restrepo labeled him as a “players’ coach” and that he “love[s] playing for him already.”

The fourth-year receiver is also a fan of the offensive system that Dawson is implementing.

“I love it. Well-balanced offense,” Restrepo said. “Coach Dawson’s gonna get the ball in the playmakers’ hands and just let us be explosive.”

Restrepo has taken the majority of the first-team receiver reps at the slot receiver position throughout spring practice.

3. Nyjalik Kelly and Rueben Bain Jr. reunite at Miami.

While Kelly and Bain, both South Florida natives, did not play together in high school, the two defensive linemen have a prior bond, as they played together in little league growing up.

Kelly was in Bain’s ear during the latter’s recruiting process, which stretched out until after Bain’s senior season was complete.

“I was telling him we got to reunite cause we had played in little league next to each other, so I told him we got to reunite cause we were supposed to reunite in high school so I told him we got to reunite in college.”

Kelly and Bain have the potential to form a lethal duo on Miami’s defensive line in the coming years. Kelly totaled four sacks during his freshman year in 2022, while Bain totaled 29 sacks last year in his senior campaign at Miami Central (Fla.) High School.