The Miami Hurricanes have found their starting center in the transfer portal for a third consecutive season. James Brockermeyer comes from a football pedigree with NFL experience.
The Miami Hurricanes have their new center for the 2025 season. Mario Cristobal hit the portal for the third season in a row and have signed former TCU center James Brockermeyer via the transfer portal.
A former four-star recruit out of high school, Brockermeyer, is a three-star transfer per 247 Sports. For comparison 2023 center Matt Lee was a four-star transfer from UCF, and ‘24 center Zach Carpenter was a three-star transfer out out of Indiana (via Michigan).
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Prior to TCU, Brockermeyer was the backup center at Alabama under Nick Saban. At six-foot-three, and 295 pounds Brockermeyer isn’t a massive IOL but is big enough to handle most of the defensive tackles in the ACC.
Brockermeyer started 12 games for TCU in 2024 and has one season of eligibility remaining. The hope here is that Brockermeyer will serve as a stop gap center while four-star center Seuseu Alofaituli (Bishop Gorman) acclimates to P4 football.
Brockermeyer has played under well respected offensive line coaches in Eric Wolford (Alabama) and A.J. Ricker (TCU) and will now play for Alex Mirabal at Miami.
The offenses have been variable as Ricker was in a more pro style approach at Alabama under Bill O’Brien and in the Air Raid under Sonny Dykes at TCU. He looks more suited for the Air Raid than a pro style offense.
The Film
SMU smacked TCU 66-42 in a game that saw the Horned Frogs turn the ball over five times, including two defensive touchdowns for the Mustangs. TCU’s offensive line allowed one sack, five tackles for loss, and averaged only two yards per carry against the SMU defense. Former Miami DE Elijah Roberts came away with two TFL’s and one sack vs. The Frogs.
Above– You can see the lack of pop in his punch. The SMU LB doesn’t move an inch on contact.
Above– He can get to the 2nd level easily with his athleticism but there’s little power in his hips and hands.
Above– Half slide protection is called and he helps the right guard with his pass protection. The left guard gets beat inside but then recovers to drive block the DT.
Above– TCU creates a nice pocket when the LG recovers that block. Brockermeyer helps the RG and one thing I’ve noticed is that he does shoulder turn on his combos in pass pro which IMO can create a lane for delayed blitzes or twists.
Above– Brockermeyer down blocks here and stalemates his man. He’s not going to dominate a block but he can stalemate someone and has solid technique to get in the right position. He rarely lunges or falls off balance.
Above– Here he works for depth while staying square much better. He doesn’t turn until it’s very clear no LB is coming.
Above– Here he’s standing way too tall for this block. He works 2nd level well but there’s no pop and no leverage here. The LB comes off the block to make the play.
Above– Plus for his ability to work second level but a minus for not finishing the block.
Above– Solid pass pro again. Working to depth, helps create a pocket, doubles with the LG.
Above– This might be the worst rep of the game. Misses on the 1st level and then his 2nd level block helps make the play. No one moves when he puts his hands on them and they can all maintain the leverage against him and rip off in the run game.
Above– You can watch it play out here. I have no idea why he comes off that block and if the DT doesn’t completely whiff his finish it’s a TFL.
Above– The bull rush wins against him in this rep. He gets driven back five yards the hard way.
Above– You can watch the bull rush drive him back but the ball is still completed as he ‘gets ran over slowly’ which is actually in the Air Raid Manual.
The Wrap
I wish Miami could develop a center and have a much longer term solution at the leadership position on the offensive line. I suspect the ‘Canes are going to be looking for a left guard as well in the portal.
The secure side of the line is the right side with Anez Cooper and Francis Mauigoa returning for their third season together. Adding Brockermeyer at center gives Miami three clear starters on the offensive line as they try to figure out the LT and LG positions for ‘25.
Ryan Rodriguez was injured, Matthew McCoy has been average as a spot starter and rotation player, and Markel Bell has potential but wasn’t a full-time starter in ‘24. Samson Okunlola either needs to develop into a starting LT or I can imagine him transferring out to another program.