Several freshmen have played 4 games already, so redshirt decision time is now
At the halfway point of the 2024 season, there are several freshmen whose redshirt status is still in the air.
Earlier this week, I wrote up the Interim Reports for Miami’s Offense and Defense. While writing those narratives (and looking over the participation reports and various stats and thinking about how to improve the performance at various positions), I started thinking about which young players could see the field to help the team. Which brings us here today.
There are some decisions to be made, whether playing a freshman now is worth the uncertainty (since they haven’t proven anything yet) or should they wait to give these players time to develop for the future. And, when you add in the fact that Miami is undefeated and pushing their hardest for a College Football Playoff spot, the calculus shifts slightly. But, each decision is made in the context of the team, and that’s what we’ll talk about here.
No Redshirt; Already played 5+ games
A quick list of the freshmen who have played enough to surpass the redshirt decision point:
- RB Jordan Lyle
- TE Elija Lofton
- DT Justin Scott
- LB Cameron “Bobby” Pruitt
- S Zaquan Patterson
- DB Dylan Day
- CB OJ Frederique
They’re not redshirting cuz they’re playing and starting on one of the 3 units (offense, defense, special teams, if you were wondering). And before you wonder, I took these games played counts straight from the official NCAA participation report, so this is as official as it gets.
Decision time is now; played 4 games
While the list of players above have already had the redshirt status decided, this is the group that led me to write this piece. They’ve played in 4 games each, so their next game action will remove their redshirt status for the year. And, if that happens, there’s no reason not to play them as much as possible.
WR Joshisa “Jojo” Trader. I know it sounds crazy, what with Miami leading the country in passing yards, TDs, scoring, etc, but Miami’s wide receivers have been underwhelming this year. Xavier Restrepo and Isaiah Horton, along with TE Elijah Arroyo, lead the way for Miami’s passing attack, but Sam Brown and Jacolby George have been inconsistent with their performance. And who has Miami turned to in search of improved performance? Trader, the highly touted recruit from local powerhouse Hollywood (FL) Chaminade-Madonna.
Now, having played in 4 games, we’re at decision time for Trader. If Miami burns his redshirt and plays him for the rest of the season — my preference — then they need to pay that off with a healthy number of snaps. Playing him a handful of snaps (or fewer) a la what’s happening with Chris Johnson Jr. is not worth burning Trader’s redshirt. Yes, those would come at the expense of Brown and George (in that order), but that’s fine by me. Trader needs reps to get better, and while he’s not having the immediate impact at the college level as his HS teammate Jeremiah Smith (who should be a Cane himself BUT I DIGRESS), he can be a solid weapon through the latter part of the year.
LB Adarius Hayes. Probably not a name you thought you’d see here, but the 6’4” 235lb Hayes is an intriguing player for the Miami defense. He’s mainly been used on special teams to this point, and has a bright future here. But with the emergence of several linebackers — Miami can comfortably go 5 deep at this spot — I don’t see the need for Hayes to play more right now. I’d redshirt him and give his special teams snaps to other scholarship players.
DE Cole McConathy II. An underrated recruiting find (and flip from Louisville), McConathy II has played well in his limited snaps. He has, however, played in 4 games so far, so it’s decision time for him as well. While the 6’5” 225lb McConathy II has been fine, the return of both Rueben Bain Jr. and Elijah Alston from their respective injuries means he can safely redshirt. But, if there would be another injury at DE this season, McConathy II is the most game-ready of the freshmen ends, so it would be him who would play in that circumstance.
Still with wiggle room; played 3 games
WR Chance Robinson. A big bodied X receiver, Robinson has played in 3 games so far this season. With the emergence of Isaiah Horton, the best path for Robinson would be to redshirt. Robinson has good potential, but like I said with Trader, burning his redshirt for a handful of snaps — when Miami’s top pass catchers have clearly separated themselves from the pack — isn’t a worthwhile endeavor. Robinson can still play in one more game and retain his redshirt status. That should be the focus for him.
Likely or Definitely Redshirting; played 2 or fewer games
QB Judd Anderson. Played in 1 game, but that’ll be the extent of it. Definitely redshirt.
RB Chris Wheatley-Humphrey. Played in 1 game. Definitely redshirting.
WR Ny Carr. Played in 2 games. Definitely redshirting.
OL Nino Francavilla. Miami’s OL is among the best in the country, and Francavilla’s best football is ahead of him. He’s played in 2 games this year, but that should be about it. Definitely redshirt.
OL Antonio Tripp. Played in 1 game. Definitely redshirting.
OL Deryc Plazz. Played in 1 game. Definitely redshirting.
OL Juan Minaya. Hasn’t played. Definitely redshirting.
EDGE/LB Booker Pickett Jr. Played in 2 games. Could find spot duty on specials but even if that happens he should be redshirting this season.
DL Armondo Blount. A curious case. Blount has played in 2 games this year, and is SUPER talented, but Miami’s DL is in a good place right now. If this was last year or the year before, Blount might find more playing time as an investment for the future. But with the current state of the season, Miami has the benefit of being able to redshirt Blount and bring him along slowly. Also, is Blount an edge or a tackle? I think with another year of development both with his physique and technique, his best and future position will become more clear.
DT Artavius Jones. Played in 1 game. Big time potential but a redshirt year is necessary along that path.
DL Daylen Russell. Hasn’t played. Definitely redshirting.
EDGE Elias Rudolph. Played in 1 game. Definitely redshirting.
EDGE Marquise Lightfoot. Another freshman with a bright future. He, like Francavilla, has played in 2 games. But yeah, a redshirt is the plan here for sure.
DB Ryan Mack. Played 1 game. Definitely redshirting.
DB Isaiah Thomas. Hasn’t played. Definitely redshirting.
K Abram Murray. Miami’s kicker of the future. Has played in 2 games, and that should be it. Redshirting now, with the plan to take over the kicker job for the next 4 years after the end of the Borregales kicking dynasty.
Personally, I’d like to see Trader as the only player with a potential redshirt still on the table continue to play through the year. The rest of the players would be better served with a redshirt this year, and their hopeful development will help Miami continue to play at an elite level in the future.
Those are the game counts and my thoughts. Share your thoughts in the comments and keep the conversation going.