Miami Football: 5 Newcomers to Watch for the Hurricanes – AthlonSports.com
Even though he’s been at Miami less than two months, head coach Mario Cristobal was able to sign a top-15 recruiting class as well as add some transfers that may contribute right away
There’s a new era in Coral Gables these days.
Last December, the Miami Hurricanes fired Manny Diaz and replaced him with former Oregon head coach Mario Cristobal, who finally returned to the place he calls home.
Cristobal was not only a player on the Hurricanes’ 1989 and 1991 national championship teams, but he later was an assistant coach at his alma mater. Now he returns to help the Canes compete for ACC championships and return to national prominence.
Before Miami can do that, the roster needs to be restocked. Even though Cristobal has been on the job less than two months, he and his coaching staff were able to sign a top-15 overall recruiting class.
The Hurricanes also added five transfers who should help improve the team after their 7-5 finish last season. Here are the top five newcomers to watch for Miami in 2022.
Cyrus Moss, Edge
Moss, a 4-star recruit out of Las Vegas Bishop Gorman, will be ready for spring football. He announced he enrolled at Miami, so his participation in spring practice should be a massive benefit for him and the Hurricanes.
Moss will get familiar with the coaching staff and the defensive playbook. Because of that, Moss could see playing time in the fall, depending on how he performs this spring and into the summer.
Moss was In the 2022 class, Moss was ranked 70th overall in the 2022 class by the 247Sports Composite, was eighth at his position (Edge), and the No. 2 player in the state of Nevada.
Nyjalik Kelly, DL
Like Moss, Kelly has enrolled at Miami after a standout high school career.
Ranked 89th overall by 247Sports, Kelly is 14th at his position, and 13th in his home state of Florida. At Dillard High School in Fort Lauderdale, he registered 58 tackles, 20 tackles for a loss and 12 sacks his senior year. He was named the Broward Defensive Player of the Year for his efforts.
Kelly and Cyrus Moss could create a scary tandem up front. Both taking part in spring practice only increases the likelihood that this happens sooner rather than later.
Henry Parrish, RB
The Ole Miss transfer adds both talent and experience to the Hurricanes’ backfield. A former standout at Miami’s Christopher Columbus High School, Parrish ran for 553 yards and three touchdowns while adding 173 receiving yards on 21 catches for the Rebels last season.
Parrish also will have a familiar face on the coaching staff. New running backs coach Kevin Smith also was Ole Miss last season. With Cam’Ron Harris off to the NFL, Parrish has an opportunity to play a big part in the Hurricanes’ backfield plans this fall.
Logan Sagapolu, OL
Sagapolu followed Mario Cristobal from Eugene to Coral Gables as a transfer. He didn’t see any playing time with the Ducks last season but has a chance to start over with the Hurricanes. His size (6-2, 344) is certainly appealing and he should have the opportunity to at least claim a spot in the rotation up front at either guard or center.
Jaleel Skinner, TE
Initially an Alabama commit, Skinner flipped to Miami during the early signing period in December. Skinner is a tall (6-5) target but he will need to put on significant weight (listed at 216 lbs.) if he wants to stick at tight end. He could be used as a wide receiver right away if the coaching staff likes what they see from the 4-star prospect from IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.
— Written by Antwan Staley, who is part of the Athlon Contributor Network and has extensive experience covering Florida sports teams. Staley has written for Bleacher Report, Pro Player Insiders and is a reporter for Sports Talk Florida. Follow him on Twitter @antwanstaley.
