Miami coach Mario Cristobal expressed immense excitement about his running back room, which includes Mark Fletcher and several other guys.
As the Miami Hurricanes set out to potentially push for a College Football Playoff berth this fall, coach Mario Cristobal sees plenty of reasons for optimism. You can start in the running back room.
There’s an embarrassment of riches there, starting with veteran returner Mark Fletcher Jr. But the group is deep, too.
Jordan Lyle is pushing for major playing time after rushing for 400 yards and four touchdowns at a 7.4 yards-per-carry clip a year ago. Cristobal touched on him first while discussing the group on the Gramlich & Mac Lain show.
“We expected that out of Jordan Lyle, and we expect him to have a monster year this year as well,” Mario Cristobal said. “We’ve been fortunate the last couple of years, our freshman running backs have been tops, like top five in the country in yards per carry. And giving them experience and also really, I guess, throwing them into the fire as it relates to protections, the screen game and what not. These guys have matured quickly. And they don’t need much time.”
Now, Mario Cristobal knows there are challenges that go with having such a deep and talented backfield. There are only so many touches to go around.
“They’re talented guys. They’re very enthusiastic about their approach to football. And they all want the ball, of course, but they all understand that splitting it and sharing time is the best way to maximize the team’s potential,” Cristobal said. “So yeah, that room’s got everybody excited.”
The sheer versatility of the room is also something that has Mario Cristobal itching for the season to start. He’s got guys that can do it all.
North Dakota State running back CharMar Brown is coming off a season in which he ran for 1,181 yards and 15 touchdowns en route to a national title. Cristobal raved about his sheer knowledge of football.
“I mean (CharMar) Brown coming in, Mac, you would love this now,” Mario Cristobal said. “You watch that offense run power, counter, stutter-O, power-O, power-O extra, ISO, wham, slam, he’s run it all. Every gap scheme, every zone scheme, every man scheme. And he’s a 220-pounder that can flat out roll.”
There are others, newcomers, that could also contribute. How about a little thunder and lightning in the backfield?
“People forget we signed Girard Pringle, was one of the fastest players in the state of Florida,” Cristobal said. “And he’s now healthy and he’s back there giving us great work. Chris Wheatley-Humphrey was a great athlete in high school who’s really coming into his own and is going to get touches as well. And he’s going to play a lot of special teams for us. So overall that running back room has got everybody excited.”
After going through all of those players, Mario Cristobal listened as host Eric Mac Lain went into a question about receivers. Cristobal was fidgeting, knowing he had forgotten something.
How about the star of the running back room? Can’t forget him.
“I forgot to mention Mark Fletcher,” Cristobal said. “I couldn’t stop thinking about it while you went to the wide receivers because this is Mark Fletcher’s first fully healthy offseason. So he has trained like an absolute stud. He is 226, 228 pounds. Lean. He’s fast as he’s ever been, stronger than he’s ever been and healthy. So really excited to see him.”
Bottom line: Miami will have as deep a group as just about anyone in the country. And that should make life a little easier on transfer quarterback Carson Beck and company.
Category: General Sports
