MIAMI FOOTBALL

Does Nicholson transfer hint at systemic issues?

Miami's fall camp transitions into Week One game prep next week. That will put the focus on Miami's upcoming matchup at Northwestern. On Friday, however, another school name popped up during a Chuck Martin interview -- Alabama!

Martin's comments on the Tide came during an athletic department video interview after a question related to the transfer portal "loss " of 2023 Lou Groza Award winner Graham Nicholson during the offseason. 

After converting 27 of 28 field . . . 

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. . . goals (including 25 straight) in 2023, Nicholson entered the transfer portal in December. He later withdrew his name, only to re-enter in April. Days later, he commitfed to Alabama.
(SEE 247 SPORTS TIME LINE HERE)

During the interview, Martin quickly scoffed at the term loss, "We didn't lose him. We know exactly where he's at. He's at Alabama. ... Alabama stole our kicker. They illegal recruit our kicker and stole him from us. That's a fact, but we act like its not ... everybody knows what's going on."

Martin added that a couple other schools also tried to steal Nicholson. 

(SEE PARTIAL VIDEO HERE) 

Generally speaking, Martin has been relatively philosophical about some pretty big losses. He noted good (Group of Five) teams are going to lose good players to Power Five programs. Miami won the MAC title last year. In addition to Nicholson, it's offseason transfer losses included a quarterback (Aveon Smith), All-MAC wide receiver (Gage Larvadain, South Carolina), All-MAC running back (Rashad Amos, Ole Miss), and an All-MAC defensive linemen (Caiden Woullard, Oklahoma). 

There is reason to believe Miami's place kicking will be relatively healthy this year. But that isn't the entire issue. 

If you think the present situation -- particularly regarding transfers -- is frustrating for fans, think of how it must be for coaches.