Mario Cristobal considers what sets apart 2024 Miami roster from past groups

The Miami Hurricanes enter the 2024 campaign with one of the most talented skill position groups in the country on paper. The ‘Canes went out and nabbed two of the best prospects in the transfer portal in dynamic dual-threat quarterback, Cam Ward, from Washington State and former Oregon State running back Damien Martinez.

Add that in with one of the better offensive line units in the ACC, plus wideout Xavier Restrepo, and you’ve got what could shape up to be one of the more explosive offensive attacks in all of college football. Recently, ‘Canes head coach Mario Cristobal spoke about what makes this year’s version of the Hurricanes different from other teams in the past.

Cristobal knows this Miami team is focused on the task at hand

“What’s different? I can tell you what’s progressing. Back to what we were talking about earlier. There’s a starting point for everything, right? Starting point at Miami for us was making sure that we enhance the caliber of talent in the locker room, that we increase the level and capabilities of the coaching staff, and that we blend in the strongest and most unbreakable culture that we can,” Cristobal explained.

One of the biggest focuses for the coaching staff this offseason was upgrading the talent in the locker room, and they did that in a big way by landing two of the biggest stars in the portal in Cam Ward and Damien Martinez.

Miami will have the option to hand it off to one of the nation’s most explosive tailbacks, or to allow Ward to do some work through the air. In the spring game, he completed 19 of 24 passes for 324 yards, while tossing three touchdowns.

“We’ve been at it for two years. Systems are growing. Players are developing. People are there for the right reasons, right? Growth and development, hard working, good people is a very strong combination. We feel awesome about the people in the building,” Cristobal continued.

He noted that this group isn’t afraid to put their blinders on and go to work each and every day.

“These guys, they run to the work. They run to the fight. They’re awesome to be around. It’s awesome to sit back and watch them work. It lets you go home and feel good knowing that no matter what, these guys are ready and willing to show up because they’re driven to win. They’re team goal oriented,” the ‘Canes head coach explained.

In the end, Cristobal wasn’t exactly sure how to answer the question, but he knows that this team is hard working and very well intentioned in their process.

“What’s different? I don’t know if I’ve ever answered one of those questions well or to the point because there are kind of projections, almost like hopes and wishes. For us, we’re about the work. We’ve been lucky to have been around great coaches, great mentors in our profession as players and young coaches. We apply all those principles and values. We’ve been blessed enough to have a locker room full of guys that are all about it,” Cristobal finished.

Miami will open up their 2024 season against the Florida Gators on Saturday, August 31st. Kick time for that one is set for 3:30 PM EST.