Why Miami's retooled offensive line will be the unit to watch in the Hurricanes' spring game tonight

Miami will hold its spring game under the lights on Friday, and after an offseason chalked with change in Coral Gables, second-year head coach Mario Cristobal called the upcoming scrimmage “a snapshot of things.”

The Hurricanes have completely remade their coaching staff, with multiple new assistants and fresh faces at offensive (Shannon Dawson) and defensive (Lance Guidry) coordinator, but that “spring snapshot” better include a better-looking picture of the offensive line. 

While Miami has a litany of issues to address after a dismal 5-7 season in 2022, at the forefront of its problems last season was an offensive line that couldn’t create consistent movement in the run game or protect the quarterback — 36 sacks allowed, good for 100th nationally. 

But the unit stands to look totally different in 2023. 

While prospective starting left tackle Zion Nelson has battled a knee injury throughout the spring, the rest of Miami’s starting offensive line could look totally different than the group that played the majority of snaps last fall. 

Gone are center Jakai Clark and left tackle John Campbell, both of whom transferred to other programs. Former starting right tackle DJ Scaife also exhausted his collegiate eligibility.

But Cristobal combated all the movement by signing a pair of 5-star tackles in Francis Mauigoa and Samson Okunlola. The Canes also added Alabama transfer guard Javion Cohen, a second-team All-SEC performer, and UCF center Matt Lee, an All-AAC First-Team honoree, to the roster.

Much of the focus this spring has surrounded the development and growth of a unit with so many new faces. At times, Mauigoa has seen time as a first-teamer at left and right tackle. Cohen and Lee have quickly impressed, too, but notably, guys like Jalen Rivers, a capable guard or tackle, and Anez Cooper have performed well, too. 

In the latest scrimmage before Friday’s spring game, Mauigoa took reps as the first-team left tackle, while (L-R) Cohen, Lee, Cooper and Rivers rounded out the rest of the grouping.

And yet, Cristobal has challenged the group by cross-training guys at multiple positions, and while he’s not “ready to award” a starting spot to anyone to end spring camp, he’s liked what he’s seen from a retooled group. 

“Those guys have to perform really well and (our) offensive line they’ve performed really well and we are moving them around, they need to move around,” Cristobal explained recently. 

“They need to be versatile, I always use the example of Penei Sewell, who played left tackle, was drafted sixth or seventh overall and when he got to camp they tapped him on the right shoulder and you’re moving on the right side. It’s our obligation to prepare our guys for all positions and that’s what we’re doing. Certainly not ready to award anyone a starting spot. Have they performed well, have they proven that they’re guys that are definitely going to be contributors in the mix to start and potentially be starters? Without question that is true. But just not ready to promise anything to that guy.”

The best news for Miami fans right now is the Canes have options at offensive line. With four potential impact newcomers, coupled with the development of guys like Rivers and Cooper, the Canes suddenly have varying pieces to consider at offensive line. 

Cristobal doesn’t have to name his definitive starting five for the season in tonight’s spring game, but if the current group showcases a purported improvement from a year ago, Miami will enter the offseason optimistic that the rest of the offense will be better suited for success — starting with quarterback Tyler Van Dyke — when the real games count in the fall.