MIAMI NOTES - FOOTBALL

Checking the MU football portal landscape

By MIKE SMITH
Another month and MAC football coaches will be meeting in Detroit for the annual MAC Media Day event. 

As usual, activities will include a coaches poll. That can serve as a bit of a barometer for fans. Placing too much faith in it, however, has proved risky. Frankly, with the transfer portal churning away at rosters, it is more speculative than ever. 

The fall/winter portal entry window was open from Dec. 4, 2023 to January 2, 2024. 

The 2024 spring transfer window opened April 16, closing April 20. Grad transfers were permitted to enter up to May 1. However, once in the portal, an athlete could transfer at any time. Moreover, multiple transfers are allowed. Some athletes, for instance, have been with four different schools in four years. 

Suffice it to say many things go into a player's decision to transfer (or not) -- potential prestige, playing time and (now) NIL (Name, Image and likeness) income are a few of the variables. 

Frankly, I don't see how coaches sleep at night. One day you think you are solid at a position. The next day you're out there looking for some kind of a replacement. Who's to say how that will work out? The replacement is likely coming from a different system, and you won't know that player like you would somebody who has been around for the past year or more. 

For what its worth, lets take a look at the Miami RedHawks . . .

​For the most part, we . . . 

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. . . ​we will reference 247 Sports.  Check out list HERE

LEAVING
The 2023 MAC champions took some big hits in the portal. One of the biggest was arguably the nation's top kicker. Graham Nicholson won the Lou Groza Award following his spectacular 2023 season. He will be kicking for Alabama this year.

Quarterback Aveon Smith, a strong runner who improved in other areas and guided MU to the title after the RedHawks lost Brett Gabbert, is headed to Alabama A&M.

Former South Carolina RB Rashad Amos, who gave Miami one of its most productive and dangerous running back weapons in a long time, entered the transfer portal in December. During a roughly five week period of the spring, he was linked to three different schools -- Missississipi State, Colorado and Ole Miss. 

Former Southeastern Louisiana wideout Gage Larvadain, meanwhile, is headed to South Carolina. Especially early in the season, his breakaway speed helped pave the way for several big Miami wins. He battled injuries for a while and the loss of Gabbert at quarterback slowed his production later in the campaign.

On the other side of the ball, MU will miss Caiden Woullard -- a First Team All-MAC defensive lineman who is now with the Oklahoma Sooners. 

https://www.si.com/college/oklahoma/newcomer-profile-why-dl-caiden-woullard-is-living-well-in-his-new-surroundings-at-oklahoma

Among others still listed in the portal (according to 247 Sports) are: safety Daisjaun Mercer, CB Jeremiah Caldwell, DE Mondrell Dean, RB Kevin Davis and CB Jayden Williams. Dean was with Purdue and committed to MU in January. However, he entered the portal again in April. 

INCOMING:
Junior DL Savio Frazier (6-0, 295) comes to MU after playing for the Mercer Bears. 

At 5-9, 165, Kamryn Perry somewhat fits the mold of the departed Lardavian. He saw very limited action at Indiana last year, catching just three balls for a total of 22 yards. With Gabbert back at quarterback, however, the potential for a much bigger role is there. 

Former Florida State tight end Preston Daniel appeared headed to the Buffalo Bulls in January. However, the 6-4, 236-pound redshirt senior committed to Miami in late February. He had just seven career catches at FSU. 

Dylan Downing (6-0, 225) resembles the body type of (now departed) Otis. Downing appeared in 12 games and carried 48 times, averaging 4.4 ypc for the 2023 Purdue Boilermakers. He also caught five balls for a total of 44 yards. 

STAYING
Actually, we'll get into this more as we get into fall camp when we break down position groups more. However, fans should keep in mind that a lot of good players are returning. Among them is Gabbert at quarterback. Already recognized as among the MAC's top QBs, he is no doubt anxious to make up for lost time and a chance to end his career on a high note -- perhaps finishing with a trophy in his hands instead of crutches. 
Likewise, the defense has its own building blocks, including 2023 MAC Defensive Player of the Year (LB) Matt Salopek.