CORAL GABLES – Fall camp is here. 

It is no surprise that the guys are ready to compete against each other. The Miami Hurricanes offense got some reps in against its defense. 

Head coach Mario Cristobal and his team got the ball rolling. 

“We have significantly increased our size, our power, our speed,” Cristobal said. “Um, it’s been put to the test throughout the summer conditioning program and they had a good summer. I mean, it showed up today because yeah, there’s always some rust, but it looked like day one plus a little bit more depth wise, it’s gotten better.”

Junior quarterback and team leader Tyler Van Dyke is the starter in his fourth year with the Canes. He talked about the difference in this coming year’s freshmen and how much they are already impacting the team.

His center, fifth-year junior Matt Lee, added to the chemistry of the new guys on the line. 

“Starts obviously in the spring when you’re out there getting reps, just like we do out there, live reps, but, you know, through the summer, first on the field, when you’re, when you’re getting the opportunities as a player led stuff, we get to work together and everything, whether that’s individual or that’s getting together with the team,” Lee stated. “Then when you come out here and you get real reps again, and it’s real live football, it’s the same thing.”

Cristobal has power recruits coming in for one year such as Francis Mauigoa and Samson Okolola. He expressed the importance of having five guys that fit the big league Power 5 offensive line mold and added on about the mixed level of the offensive line. 

“There’s a lot of experience at the center there at left guard,” Cristobal stated. “You know, guys are splitting reps at left tackle, um, at the right guard position. Nez (Anez Cooper, second-year sophomore) does have a lot of experience. And, and the guys behind these guys, um, they’ve played well, and with what Coach Guidry does on defense, you see a lot. So you’re gaining some really valuable practice experience. We just need more.”

The talk of the new first-year class has gotten Canes football excited. Between the balanced mix of veterans, incoming freshmen players, and new coordinators, leadership and development will be key throughout fall camp.

COVER PHOTO CREDIT: Chuck Bethel