Game 1: Miami Hurricanes Projected Depth Chart

1. Cameron Ward

2. Emory Williams

3. Reese Poffenbarger

Cam Ward is the alpha leader for the Hurricanes and he will get the chance to prove that as the starter. Behind him, there are still several capable arms that will produce in case word does go down. In many cases, you could see Williams make some appearance at the goal line like last year to just run some people over to get in for six.

RUNNING BACK

1. Damien Martinez

2. Mark Fletcher Jr.

3. Ajay Allen

4. Jordan Lyles

Adding a 1,000-yard rushing in Martinez behind a beefy offensive line will only do wonders for the Hurricanes. Fletcher is also fully healthy and ready to go for the Hurricanes but don't be shocked if you see some action from other backs like Allen. Some argue that Allen could be the best back on the roster with the full mixture of size, speed, and ability to make a player miss.

WIDE RECEIVER

WR-H - Samuel Brown, Isaiah Horton, Joshisa Trader

WR-Z - Jacolby George, Ny Carr, Robby Washington

WR-X - Xavier Restrepo, Ray Ray Joseph

The best wide receiver core in the ACC. Three receivers that could go for over 1000 yards with Ward as their QB. Brown has that 4.4/4.3 speed that the Hurricanes desperately needed last season to go alongside the route running ability and hands of Restrepo and George. The young receivers on the roster might also get a chance to shine as well.

TIGHT END

1. Elijah Arroyo

2. Riley Williams

3. Cam McCormick

4. Elija Lofton

The return of Arroyo could unlock the full capabilities of the offense. He has been the missing piece of the past two years at that position and the Canes have many different players in and out. Williams is coming into his sophomore season after spending most of his season last year as a primary blocker. The "old man" McCormick is still on the roster making his way and continuing to lead in the room.

OFFENSIVE LINE

Left Tackle: Jalen Rivers, Markel Bell

Left Guard: Matthew McCoy or Ryan Rodriguez

Center: Zach Carpenter, Ryan Rodriguez

Right Guard: Anez Cooper, Tommy Kinsler

Right Tackle: Francis Mauigoa, Samson Okunlola

Big, fast, agile, and talented is this offensive line group. They are the center of what will lead the Hurricanes to a successful season. All across the line, the Canes have pro-level tackles and guards that are all 300 lbs plus and above 6'5. They will be the key to winning the trenches for the Hurricanes and the game.

DEFENSIVE LINE

Defensive End: Rueben Bain Jr., Tyler Baron, Cole McConathy

Defensive Tackle: C.J. Clark, Anthony Campbell or Justin Scott or Joshua Horton

Defensive Tackle:  Simeon Barrow or Ahmad Moten, Marley Cook

Defensive End:  Akheem Mesidor, Elijah Alston, Malik Bryant

Name after name. This is the deepest room on the roster for the Canes. That still doesn't mention all of the returning talent that highlighted the team over the past two seasons. Mesidor is fully healthy and back to take over alongside the young superstar in Bain. Things will continue to be special on the line with other transfer players also trying to make a name for themselves for the Canes.

LINEBACKER

Weak-side:  Wesley Bissainthe, Jaylin Alderman or Bobby Pruitt

Middle:  Kiko Mauigoa, Jaylin Alderman or Chase Smith or Popo Aguirre

Strong-side: Jaylin Alderman, Bobby Pruitt or Bobby Washington

Three players are returning to man the middle and they are some of the best in the ACC. Mauigoa could have gone to the pros but he decided that another year with the Canes would only be better for him and the program. The same can be said with Bissainthe and Alderman. There is a chance for the middle of the field to be special for the Canes and they can show that against the Gators.

SECONDARY

Cornerback: Jadais Richard or O.J. Frederique

Safety: Jaden Harris, Markeith Williams

Safety: Mishael Powell, Zaquan Patterson

Cornerback: Daryl Porter, Damari Brown or Dyoni Hill or Robert Stafford

Nickel: Damari Brown, Daryl Porter or Mishael Powell or Jadais Richard

The biggest weakness for the Canes is the secondary. The star potential is there for them it just has to take some time to gel. The room is young but Porter Jr., Brown, and Powell will use their years of experience to man the deep field to hold some of the best receivers in the SEC.