Danny Kanell breaks down why he's buying into Miami heading into 2024 season

Despite a pair of up-and-down seasons since head coach Mario Cristobal got to the Miami Hurricanes, there is a lot of excitement around the team and plenty of expectations for the 2024 season.

College football analyst Danny Kanell is one of those who is buying into Miami heading into this season. He went on The Ryen Russillo Podcast where he broke down the reason why he’s excited to see what this team can do moving forward.

“I’m buying into Miami,” Danny Kanell said. “This might be the best roster they’ve had in like 15 years. Damien Martinez kind of flew in, he was a really good running back at Oregon State. They’re bringing back a receiving core that is really good [Sam] Brown, a transfer receiver, has been really good. So, I trust the offense.”

Mario Cristobal came to Miami in 2022 and began rebuilding the program to look the way he wants it to look. That took some work in turning over the roster and with that have come growing pains. Through two seasons now, Miami only has a 12-13 record under Cristobal.

One place where Miami has thrived is in recruiting, both out of high school and in the Transfer Portal. That included key pickups this offseason like quarterback Cam Ward and running back Damien Martinez, which look to be key additions to help the Hurricanes moving forward.

“I think Cam Ward is a baller. Like I think he is a difference maker and that’s been the position that really has haunted Miami. D’Eriq King was probably the closest thing to him,” Kanell said. “Remember when he came in from Houston? They were a 10-win team that year. That was with Mark Richt but they were pretty good. I think the defense is better. Across the board, they are really solid. From top to bottom. The schedule, they play Florida State at home.”

One concern for Miami fans this season is that the in-game management from the coaching staff has been questioned extensively over the last couple of seasons. Figuring that out is going to be a key for the 2024 season.

“The big question is can Mario kind of get out of the way? Because now the criticism has sort of reached this crescendo where everybody is starting to notice game-time decisions. Does he turn Cam Ward into Justin Herbert? And not the Justin Herbert in the NFL but the Justin Herbert at Oregon, who was okay. Wasn’t lighting it up. That’s the concern but I feel like this was a really good team last year. Georgia Tech, refusing to kneel at the end of the game, I think, cost them two losses.”

This Miami team is going to be tested immediately in 2024 with a road trip to The Swamp to take on the Florida Gators in Week 1 this year.

“I think they’re a team that can win the ACC this year,” Kanell concluded.