Mario Cristobal reveals who impressed him most at Miami spring game

The Miami Hurricanes wrapped up the 2022 version of their spring game on Saturday in front of a sold-out crowd in MLS Inter Miami’s DRV PNK Stadium. It was the first spring game for newly anointed head coach Mario Cristobal in his first few months on the job as the head man of the ‘Canes. Following the game, Cristobal highlighted a few of the things that impressed him.

“Well, there’s a few things. For one, the venue I love. I love being here. This is really incredible. And again, very grateful for that opportunity and the fans showing up like they did,” Cristobal said.

Mario Cristobal discusses the players who impressed him

“Second of all, I think there was some good play at the line of scrimmage from the offensive line. In the run game there were some spurts. I thought Henry Parrish, Jr. and Thad [Thaddius Franklin, Jr.] had their moments. I thought [Dazalin Worsham], you know, all spring long, has done a really, really good job. The tight ends continue to get better and improve, make some plays. We blocked well as well. I thought there were some good plays from some of the linebackers. The secondary made some big plays. At receiver, we were inconsistent. Some good plays at the slot and then outside–we made some plays but you know what, when you have a quarterback like that [Tyler Van Dyke]–he’s making those throws find a way to get the ball,” the Hurricanes new head coach said.

Dazalin Worsham turned heads this spring for the Hurricanes and drew some serious buzz. In 2018, he originally committed to the Alabama Crimson Tide before eventually switching to the Hurricanes. According to the On3 Consensus Rankings for the 2020 class, Worsham was rated as the No. 97 wide receiver prospect in America for that cycle.

There’s no need to sugarcoat things in big-time college football and Cristobal made it very clear that his receivers need to catch the football more consistently. “They know how I am. Every single player knows exactly how I come. Very honest and very direct and we gotta get better, come up with those passes. And I trust that we will work at it,” the Miami Hurricanes head coach said.

The ‘Canes receivers are lucky enough to have Tyler Van Dyke at quarterback. He’s one of the game’s brightest young stars. Last season, as a freshman, he completed 62.3 percent of his passes for 2,931 passing yards, while tossing in 25 touchdowns and just six interceptions.

Mario Cristobal and the Hurricanes kick off their 2022-2023 campaign against Bethune-Cookman on Saturday, Sept. 3.