Will Cameron Ward live up to the hype? Five offensive players to watch in Hurricanes spring practice
Cameron Ward and Isaiah Horton are some of the more interesting offensive players to watch during Hurricanes spring practices.
Hurricanes spring football begins on Monday, and the excitement is building.
Even though Miami’s season ended on a sour note with a loss to Rutgers in the Pinstripe Bowl, there are many reasons to be optimistic about the Hurricanes’ chances in 2024.
Key returnees and major additions have Miami looking like a challenger in the new-look ACC this year, and spring practice is the first time players and coaches can work together consistently after the offseason.
On Monday, we looked at five key storylines to follow during Miami’s spring practice. Here is a look at five offensive players to keep an eye on in March and April:
1. Cameron Ward
The Hurricanes will likely go as far as Ward takes them. The Washington State transfer arrived at Miami this winter, replacing Tyler Van Dyke as the starting quarterback, and he is the player to watch on the team. Ward should be a more-than-qualified executor of offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson’s Air Raid-style offense. Spring practice should give Ward the time he needs to work with the first-team wide receivers, get to know them and build the chemistry needed for the fall. At the end of the spring, Hurricanes fans will likely get a chance to see Ward in a UM uniform for the first time in the spring game.
2. The offensive line
It’s a bit of a cop out to select the whole offensive line as one player to watch, but as a group, they are very intriguing. Miami returns three starters from last year: left tackle Jalen Rivers, right guard Anez Cooper and right tackle Francis Mauigoa. That leaves two open positions: left guard and center, replacing Javion Cohen and Matt Lee, respectively. The Hurricanes have a mix of new and returning options for those spots. Returning linemen like Samson Okunlola, Matthew McCoy, Logan Sagapolu, Tommy Kinsler and Jonathan Denis could be in the mix for those jobs. Transfer Zach Carpenter arrived from Indiana, and he could slot right in at center after starting 12 games at center for the Hoosiers. Miami also signed massive JUCO prospect Markel Bell, a tackle who stands in at 6-9 and 340 pounds. They will also get their chances. The Hurricanes could also reconfigure the line, perhaps sliding Rivers back to left guard and moving Mauigoa to left tackle or having another player fill that spot. It will be interesting on the line this spring.
3. Chris Johnson Jr.
The Hurricanes had some offseason changes in the running back room. Henry Parrish Jr. returns, as does Ajay Allen, but Don Chaney Jr. transferred to Louisville. Mark Fletcher Jr., who had a breakout season in 2023, suffered a foot injury in the bowl game; UM has not announced more details of his injury or if he will miss spring practice. Johnson, who is also a 2023 signee, will likely have a chance to get more reps in spring ball. Johnson has blazing speed and had 11 carries for 73 yards and a score last year. He could be a valuable weapon in this year’s offense.
4. Isaiah Horton
Horton had some shining moments in 2023, racking up 168 yards on 13 catches — including a 52-yard touchdown catch against Texas A&M. With Colbie Young transferring to Georgia, a starting wide receiver job has opened up. Horton has a similar build to Young, standing at 6-4 and 205 pounds. Horton has the potential to be the tall receiving threat the Hurricanes need. He will be in the mix for that open receiver job, but he will have to compete with other receivers like sophomore Ray Ray Joseph (though he primarily played in the slot last year) and incoming freshmen Ny Carr and Joshisa “JoJo” Trader.
5. Elija Lofton
Miami got next to no receiving production from its tight ends last year. Cam McCormick, Elijah Arroyo, Riley Williams and Jaleel Skinner combined for 18 catches, 154 yards and one touchdown. Arroyo missed most of the year with an injury. A pass-catching threat at tight end would add a lot to the Hurricanes’ offense. Lofton could be that threat. The 6-foot-2, 220-pound tight end is an “imposing pass catcher with above average hands,” according to 247Sports evaluator Blair Angulo. Angulo compared Lofton to former Miami tight end Brevin Jordan also praised Lofton’s route-running ability and how he breaks tackles. Lofton’s ability as a pass-catcher could be his ticket to early playing time.