Miami football adds experienced transfer OL Luis Cristobal, Mario’s nephew

The Miami football program added Georgia State offensive lineman Luis Cristobal on Sunday per multiple reports. Luis is the son of former Miami OL Luis Sr. and nephew of Hurricanes’ head coach Mario Cristobal. Cristobal signed with Georgia State in the 2019 class as the 93rd guard and 213th prospect in Florida.

The Georgia State website lists Cristobal as 6’0 and 274 pounds. Pro Football Focus gave Cristobal a 79.0 pass-blocking grade on 367 snaps and a 52.6 run-blocking grade per Gaby Urrutia of Inside the U. The addition of Cristobal adds depth to the interior of the Miami OL. Cristobal started five games for Georgia State in 2022.

Mario Cristobal and OL coach Alex Mirabal develop versatility on their OL. Luis Cristobal has experience playing center and guard at Georgia State. Cristobal will have two years of eligibility remaining. Miami has now added three transfer OL to its 2023 roster. Miami previously added center Matt Lee and guard Javion Cohen.

Lou (as he is referred to) Cristobal chose Miami over Central Michigan, Jacksonville State, Liberty, Troy, Utah State and Western Kentucky. The competition in the ACC will be a major step up for Cristobal after spending the last four seasons in the Sun Belt. Mario Cristobal and Mirabal are known for developing OL.

Cristobal will join his former Georgia State teammate defensive tackle Thomas Gore as a transfer for 2023. Gore joined the Miami football program in January and participated in spring practice in March and April. Cristobal is the 14th FBS transfer to Miami for 2023. Miami needed to continue adding depth to the OL.

The Hurricanes were devastated by injuries on the OL in 2022. Unable to protect the passer Miami lost quarterback Tyler Van Dyke for most of the last four games of the 2022 season due to an injured shoulder. The additions of Cohen and Lee with a healthier OL in 2023 should help Miami improve offensively.