The Miami Hurricanes are heading into spring with a retooled offensive line - and head coach Mario Cristobal isn’t blinking. Despite losing four starters to the NFL Draft, Cristobal is bullish on the group that’s stepping up, and there’s good reason for that optimism.
Let’s start with what’s changed. Miami is replacing center James Brockermeyer, right guard Anez Cooper, left tackle Markel Bell, and right tackle Francis Mauigoa - a core group that helped anchor the trenches during a run that had serious National Championship vibes.
That’s a lot of experience and talent walking out the door. But for Cristobal, who built his coaching reputation on developing elite offensive lines, this isn’t uncharted territory - it’s a challenge he’s ready to meet head-on.
“We have a lot of faith in what we’ve recruited and seen in practice,” Cristobal said earlier this week. “There’s no hesitation here - we’re really excited about that group, and for the right reasons. These guys can roll.”
That confidence starts with the returning core. Veterans Matthew McCoy, Samson Okunlola, and Ryan Rodriguez each logged double-digit appearances last season and are expected to take on bigger roles this spring. They’ve been in the system, they know the expectations, and now they get their shot to lead the next wave.
But it’s not just about the returners. Miami also hit the transfer portal to bolster the unit.
Jamal Meriweather, who comes over from Georgia, brings SEC-tested talent and versatility. He allowed just one pressure and no sacks in 12 games last season - a small sample size, sure, but the efficiency jumps off the tape.
Whether he lines up at tackle or slides inside, Meriweather gives Cristobal and offensive line coach Alex Mirabal a valuable chess piece.
Then there’s Johnathan Cline, a 6'4", 315-pound transfer from East Tennessee State. He might not have the national name recognition, but he’s the kind of developmental prospect Miami has quietly turned into contributors in the past. Expect Cline to start out with the scout team, but don’t be surprised if he works his way into the mix down the line.
One of the most intriguing storylines heading into spring is the arrival of five-star freshman Jackson Cantwell. At 6'7", 325 pounds, with 459 pancake blocks in 45 high school games, Cantwell is already drawing attention.
He’s not just a big body - he’s a technician with a nasty streak, and he’s coming in looking to compete for a starting job right away. That’s the kind of edge this group will need.
Beyond the headliners, depth is forming with names like Seuseu Alofaituli, Max Buchanan, Jaden Wilkerson, Demetrius Campbell, and Yerovi Valdes Alfonso - all of whom could push for rotation spots. It’s a deep room with a lot of combinations to explore, and spring ball will be crucial in sorting out who fits where.
Cristobal and Mirabal have turned Miami into a destination for offensive linemen who want to develop and dominate. And while the lineup is still taking shape, the goal is clear: keep quarterback Darian Mensah upright and give him the kind of protection that lets this offense reach its full potential - the same kind of protection that helped Carson Beck flourish last season.
The faces may be new, but the standard in Coral Gables hasn’t changed. And if Cristobal’s confidence is any indication, the Hurricanes’ offensive line might not just hold the line - they might raise it.