Tag: Miami

Georgia quarterback Carson Beck puts in his mouth grad on the final play during overtime of the SEC championship game against Texas.

Report: Miami QB Carson Beck cleared after elbow surgery

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Miami quarterback Carson Beck will be able to participate in summer activities with his new team following his elbow surgery in December, ESPN reported Monday night.

“He’s good to go. He’s exceeding every benchmark,” Hurricanes coach Mario Cristobal told the outlet at the Atlantic Coast Conference’s spring meetings.

Beck had surgery to repair his ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) on Dec. 23, ending his season and his career at Georgia in the midst of the College Football Playoff. The quarterback was injured on the last play of the first half in Georgia’s win over Texas in the SEC championship game.

Without their two-year starter, the Bulldogs turned to Gunner Stockton for their playoff opener in the quarterfinal round. They lost to Notre Dame 23-10 at the Sugar Bowl.

Beck entered the transfer portal instead of the NFL draft given his injury situation, and he signed with Miami, which needed a new starter to replace No. 1 overall draft pick Cam Ward.

Beck could not practice during the spring, but Cristobal said the QB has been throwing for the past three weeks. He was described as “approaching 100 percent,” per ESPN.

–Field Level Media

Sep 7, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Hurricanes linebacker Adarius Hayes (34) reacts against the Florida A&M Rattlers during the second quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Miami LB Adarius Hayes injured in fatal car crash

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Sophomore Miami linebacker Adarius Hayes was injured in a two-car crash that left two children dead and several others in the hospital.

Police in Largo, Fla., the hometown of Hayes, said the crash occurred at 1:45 p.m. Saturday as a Dodge Durango collided with a Kia Soul that was making a left turn at an intersection.

Killed were 10-year-old Jabari Elijah Solomon and 4-year-old Charlie Herbert Solomon Riveria, according to police.

It was unclear Sunday whether Hayes was a driver or a passenger and which car he was traveling in.

University officials have not commented on the crash or the extent of Hayes’ injuries.

Hayes played in 12 games as a freshman in the 2024 season, primarily on special teams. He had four tackles and one interception.

Coming out of Largo High School, Hayes was a four-star prospect in the Class of 2024.

–Field Level Media

North Dakota State Bison running back CharMar Brown (25) gets tackled by South Dakota State defense on Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024, at Fargodome in Fargo, Nouth Dakota.

Top FCS freshman CharMar Brown transfers to Miami

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CharMar Brown, who ran for more than 1,100 yards in 2024 for FCS national champion North Dakota State, is transferring to Miami.

The 247Sports transfer portal list was updated with the move Wednesday afternoon.

Brown ran for 1,181 yards and 15 touchdowns. He carried the ball 244 times in 16 games, including the playoffs.

The 5-foot-11 Brown, a Nebraska native, won the Jerry Rice Award, given each year to the top FCS freshman. He had four 100-yard games.

At the running back position, Miami returns Mark Fletcher and Jordan Lyle. Fletcher ran for 607 yards and nine TDs last season, with Lyle contributing 400 yards and four touchdowns. Leading rusher Damien Martinez, who had 1,002 yards and 10 scores, was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the seventh round of the draft last weekend.

The Hurricanes finished the 2024 season with a 10-3 (6-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) record. They open the new season Aug. 31 at home against Notre Dame, who lost to Ohio State in the College Football Playoff championship game.

–Field Level Media

Miami Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward (1) drops back to pass against the Iowa State Cyclones in the first quarter during the Pop Tarts bowl at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Miami QB Cam Ward not taking field at combine, will throw March 24

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INDIANAPOLIS — Top-ranked quarterback Cam Ward came to the NFL Scouting Combine to interview with teams but will not participate in on-field workouts with the position group on Saturday.

Ward could be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and met with the Tennessee Titans this week. Tennessee has the first overall pick but general manager Mike Borgonzi said the franchise is interested in trading the selection to accumulate draft picks in the top 100.

“Whether I go first round or second round, at the end of the day, that draft pick doesn’t mean nothing,” Ward said. “It’s all about establishing yourself once you get the opportunity.”

Ward plans to throw for scouts at the Miami pro day on March 24.

Ward threw an NCAA-record 158 touchdown passes. He had a total of 18,184 yards in five seasons at three different schools. He started his career at FCS program Incarnate Word (2020-21), transferred to Washington State (2022-23), then headed to Miami (2024).

“It’s a positive that he has that grit and determination to prove other people wrong,” Borgonzi said. “Every place he was at, he performed at a high level — that’s something you certainly take into account when you see someone that plays with that chip on their shoulder.”

Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders is another contender to be the top quarterback selected in the 2025 draft. The Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year in 2024, he threw 37 touchdowns and completed 74 percent of his passes. He also won’t throw for scouts and coaches in Indianapolis this weekend.

Ward, 22, said he had nothing to gain taking the field at the Scouting Combine. His five seasons of production in college tell teams everything they need to know about him as a player, he said.

“The tape says everything,” he said. “I think just what separates me from everybody is the way I approach it, the mindset I have going onto the field each and every game.”

Ward said he watched multiple Titans games last season and found the route concepts and general framework of the offense to be so familiar that he believes he’s a “plug and play” fit for Tennessee.

“They’ve got unbelievable players. So I just hope that God puts me, you know, in the situation,” Ward said.

Sanders, 23, made two college stops and won big at Jackson State and Colorado playing for his dad, Pro Football Hall of Fame cornerback Deion Sanders. He said NFL teams know he was a driving force in turnarounds at both college programs and should not hesitate to invest in him to do the same at the next level.

“I’ve done it over and over and over, so it should be no question why an NFL franchise should pick me,” he said Friday.

Overall, Sanders was 36-15 as a starter — 13-12 at Colorado — with 64 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. He said he respects all of the quarterbacks in this draft class but views himself as the best option, even if NFL teams see it differently.

“The number where you (are picked in the draft) don’t matter,” Sanders said. “I reference Tom Brady, because he is the best of the best in all categories. He ain’t go first. So, the number you get picked don’t matter. I wasn’t the top-rated quarterback coming out of high school, because there are a lot of things that people will like and don’t like about me. I’m realistic, and I’m realistic about my family and everything that people say that comes with it.”

–Field Level Media

Jan 5, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) on the field before the game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Dolphins coach: WR Tyreek Hill had wrist surgery for ligament damage

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Miami star wide receiver Tyreek Hill recently had ligament surgery on his left wrist and is expected to be ready for training camp, Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said Tuesday at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.

The coach said that Hill is slated to begin running soon until he’s ready to catch footballs, likely in the summer heading into camp.

McDaniel noted that Hill, who played the entire season with the injury after getting hurt at an August practice, didn’t have a broken wrist. Hill’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said on Jan. 9 that Hill had broken his wrist.

“Let’s back up to training camp. Tyreek’s scrimmaging with the Washington Commanders, and he breaks his wrist,” Rosenhaus said on “The Pat McAfee Show.”

“We have top wrist doctors saying to Tyreek, ‘You need to get this operated on, you’re going to miss the season.’ Tyreek says to me and the Dolphins, ‘I’m not going to miss the season, I’m going to play. I want to be here for my team.’”

Hill, who turns 31 on Saturday, caught 81 passes for 959 yards in 17 games this season — marking his lowest production in a full season since his rookie year with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2016. The drop came following a pair of 1,700-yard seasons to begin his tenure in Miami, and with Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa limited to 11 games due to concussion and hip injuries.

Before the 2024 season, Hill signed a three-year, $90 million extension through the 2026 season that included a $7 million signing bonus and $59 million in guaranteed money. The eight-time Pro Bowl selection and five-time first-team All-Pro is due to count $28.7 million against the 2025 cap and $51.9 million in the final year of the deal in 2026.

Hill has 798 career receptions for 11,098 yards and 82 touchdowns as well as 114 rushing attempts for 819 yards and seven TDs in 141 regular-season games (123 starts). He also has 96 catches for 1,212 yards and six TDs, and 14 carries for 96 yards and one TD in 15 playoff games (14 starts).

Kansas City selected him in the fifth round of the 2016 NFL Draft. The Chiefs traded Hill to the Dolphins in March 2022.

–Field Level Media

Aug 24, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik during the game against the Los Angeles Rams at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Report: Dolphins hiring former Texans OC Bobby Slowik as assistant

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Former Houston Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik has landed in Miami as senior passing game coordinator, according to an NFL Network report on Tuesday, reuniting him with Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel.

The Texans fired Slowik, 37, last month after two seasons as offensive coordinator. Houston’s offense took a downturn following quarterback C.J. Stroud’s impressive rookie season, finishing 19th in the NFL in average points per game (21.9) and 22nd in total yards (319.7) in 2024. The Texans ranked 13th and 12th in those categories, respectively, in 2023.

Houston went 10-7 last season, capturing the AFC South title and beating the Los Angeles Chargers 32-12 in the wild-card round before being eliminated 23-14 by the Kansas City Chiefs in the divisional playoffs.

Prior to arriving in Houston, Slowik spent six years in San Francisco, where McDaniel was the 49ers’ run game coordinator from 2017-2020 and offensive coordinator in 2021 before taking the helm in Miami in 2022.

Slowik served in a variety of roles for the 49ers. He started as a defensive quality control coach (2017-18) then became the team’s offensive assistant (2019-20), passing game specialist (2021), and passing game coordinator (2022).

He began his NFL coaching career as a defensive assistant for three seasons with the Washington franchise (2011-13).

–Field Level Media

Wisconsin cornerback Xavier Lucas (6) is escorted by a member of the training staff during the fourth quarter of their game against South Dakota Saturday, September 7 , 2024 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.

Wisconsin DB’s unprecedented move could rock NCAA, NIL landscape

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The landscape of college athletics may be on the verge of another major shift, and it all stems from the move of one player.

Wisconsin defensive back Xavier Lucas enrolled at Miami earlier this week but did so without ever entering the transfer portal — and despite having recently signed a revenue-sharing agreement with Wisconsin.

Lucas announced he was entering the transfer portal in a since-deleted post on X (formerly Twitter) on Dec. 19. But Wisconsin refused to put his name in the portal despite an NCAA rule requiring schools to enter a player into the portal within two business days of their request.

Adding to the situation, the true freshman and Wisconsin entered into a two-year revenue-sharing agreement during the season. That deal gave the university non-exclusive rights to player’s name, image and likeness — preventing another school from using the player’s NIL rights for the length of the agreement, according to Yahoo Sports.

Unable to talk to other schools because he was not in the portal, Lucas withdrew from classes at Wisconsin and enrolled as a student at Miami, but without formally signing with the Hurricanes.

Darren Heitner, an attorney representing Lucas, told Yahoo that his client requested a transfer after learning his father is suffering from a “serious, life-threatening illness,” But, according to Heitner, Wisconsin refused to comply with Lucas’ request and instead tried to convince him to remain with Wisconsin.

Lucas is from Pompano Beach, Fla., and played at nearby American Heritage High School.

By not signing with Miami, Lucas seems to have avoided violating any NCAA rules for now.

“NCAA rules do not prevent a student-athlete from unenrolling from an institution, enrolling at a new institution and competing immediately,” an NCAA spokesperson told Yahoo! in response to Lucas’ decision.

But if Lucas intends on playing for the Hurricanes, it is expected that Wisconsin will try to block the move in court.

What’s more, a settlement reached in 2024 establishing many of the rules for revenue sharing has yet to be approved. Lucas’ move could impact those proceedings, as well.

Lucas made 12 tackles and had one interception in 11 games with the Badgers this season.

–Field Level Media

Dec 28, 2024; Orlando, FL, USA; Iowa State Cyclones running back Carson Hansen (26) scores a touchdown against the Miami Hurricanes in the second quarter during the Pop Tarts bowl at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

No. 18 Iowa State clips No. 13 Miami for first 11-win season

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Rocco Becht scored on a 1-yard quarterback sneak on fourth down with 56 seconds left and No. 18 Iowa State edged No. 13 Miami 42-41 on Saturday in the Pop-Tarts Bowl at Orlando, Fla.

Becht also passed for 270 yards and three touchdowns as the Cyclones (11-3) overcame a 10-point deficit in the second half to secure their first 11-win season in school history.

The Hurricanes (10-3), who lost for the third time in four games after starting the season with a 9-0 record, rushed for 308 yards – most in school history in a bowl game. However, they had virtually no passing attack in the second half with backup Emory Williams under center.

Heisman Trophy finalist Cam Ward threw for 190 yards and three touchdowns for Miami. The first TD was the 156th of his career, breaking the Division I (FBS and FCS) record he shared with Houston’s Case Keenum (2007-11) – before sitting out the second half of his last college game.

Williams, who was intercepted on the final play of the game, finished 5-for-14 passing for 26 yards. He was 3-for-8 for 20 yards when the Hurricanes got the ball back one final time at their own 20 with 47 seconds left.

Both offenses combined to deliver an electric first half that featured 59 points and 625 total yards.

After the Hurricanes fumbled the ball away on an errant snap on the game’s first play, the teams scored touchdowns on eight consecutive possessions, starting with Becht’s 9-yard throw to tight end Gabe Burkle on third-and-goal.

Damien Martinez raced 75 yards to the end zone on Miami’s second offensive play, and Carson Hansen answered with a 30-yard rushing touchdown. Ward knotted the score again with a 4-yard pass to Jacolby George.

Becht, a Tampa area native, and Jaylin Noel connected for a 49-yard completion to the 1 and Hansen charged in the next play for a 21-14 lead with 2:23 left in the first quarter.

The onslaught continued with three more touchdowns in the next eight minutes.

Ward threw a 40-yard score to Joshisa Trader, Hansen caught a 13-yard pass from Becht for his third touchdown, and Ward hit Elijah Arroyo for a 33-yard score. Andy Borregales kicked a 30-yard field goal with 16 seconds left in the half for a 31-28 Hurricanes lead.

Miami went up by 10 on Mark Fletcher Jr.’s 1-yard touchdown run with 8:09 left in the third quarter. Iowa State answered with Becht’s third TD pass, a 4-yarder to Noel, the ensuing drive.

Borregales knocked in a 21-yarder to put the Hurricanes up 41-35 with 9:40 remaining in the game.

–Field Level Media

Dec 22, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) reacts front field after theme against the San Francisco 49ers at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa (hip) doubtful vs. Browns on Sunday

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Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has been downgraded from questionable to doubtful for Sunday’s road game against the Cleveland Browns because of a hip injury.

Tagovailoa, 26, has been limited at practice all week but is still hoping to play, according to media reports on Saturday. The Dolphins (7-8) are fighting to stay in playoff contention and need a win against the Browns (3-12) to stay in the mix.

If Tagovailoa doesn’t play, Tyler Huntley would get his fourth start of the season. The Dolphins also elevated quarterback Skylar Thompson from the practice squad to the active roster on Saturday.

Tagovailoa injured his hip against the Houston Texans on Dec. 15 and absorbed another hit against the San Francisco 49ers last Sunday.

He has already missed four games this season because of a concussion while starting the other 11. He is 291 of 399 (league-best 72.9 percent) for 2,867 yards, 19 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

Miami selected him with the fifth overall pick of the 2020 NFL Draft out of Alabama. He has completed 68.1 percent of his passes in his career for 15,506 yards and 100 TDs along with 44 interceptions in 64 games (62 starts).

Huntley, 26, has started three games this season for the Dolphins while Tagovailoa was out before suffering a shoulder injury. Huntley was 39 of 66 (59.1 percent) for 377 yards, one TD and one pick. He also ran 16 times for 67 yards and a score.

He played in 20 games (nine starts) for the Baltimore Ravens from 2020-23, passing for 1,957 yards, eight TDs and seven interceptions. He also rushed 115 times for 509 yards and three TDs.

–Field Level Media

Sep 21, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Miami Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward (1) throws a pass against the South Florida Bulls in the third quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

No. 18 Iowa State tries to contain No. 13 Miami in Pop-Tarts Bowl

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Fans will have one more chance to watch Cam Ward orchestrate the nation’s No. 1 offense when No. 13 Miami plays No. 18 Iowa State in Saturday’s Pop-Tarts Bowl at Orlando, Fla.

Ward, the fourth-place finisher for this year’s Heisman Trophy and a likely top-10 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, confirmed earlier this month that he will play. He told Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders in a viral video that “you’re going to see the best thing that ever happened in the Pop-Tart(s) Bowl. … Them ‘Canes baby.”

Of the teams that didn’t make the College Football Playoff, Miami and Iowa State are the highest-ranked programs playing each other. It is their first meeting.

“The intensity will be high. Both teams really want this,” Miami coach Mario Cristobal said. “And the competition and the caliber of athlete and player on the field is going to be awesome.

“So, it means a lot to (us). And I’m sure it means a lot to Iowa State as well.”

Said Cyclones coach Matt Campbell: “It’s certainly a great opportunity for Iowa State football. And we have great respect for everything they stand for.”

The Hurricanes boast a high-powered offense that ranked No. 1 in the nation in points (44.2) and total yards (538.3) per game in the regular season.

Ward, a transfer from Washington State, set multiple single-season school records, throwing for 4,123 yards and 36 touchdowns while completing 67.4 percent of his attempts and tossing seven interceptions.

Ward’s top receiver, All-American Xavier Restrepo, hasn’t said whether he will play in the bowl game, while running back Damien Martinez, a fellow senior also expected to be drafted, has announced that he will.

The ‘Canes enter with a 10-2 record — only the second time in 20 years they recorded double-digit wins in the regular season — but lost two of their final three games, at Georgia Tech and at Syracuse, and consequently a spot in the Atlantic Coast Championship Game.

That largely was due to their defense, which surrendered 42 points in the final three quarters against the Orange and 271 rushing yards to the Yellow Jackets.

Iowa State (10-3), which doesn’t have any reported opt-outs, won 10 games for the first time in school history, reaching the Big 12 Championship, where it lost to Arizona State 45-19. Its other losses were a one-point home defeat to Texas Tech and a 45-36 setback at Kansas.

“Obviously, I think you’re in unchartered territory for Iowa State football,” Campbell said of winning 10 games. “Anytime you’ve got a chance to put an exclamation point on some of those things, it’s powerful.”

Campbell said the senior class is “maybe one of the most special groups we’ve coached here,” adding, “to send them out the right way would be great for Iowa State football.”

Rocco Becht has completed 59.3 percent of his passes for 3,235 yards and 22 touchdowns with nine interceptions. Wide receivers Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel are the first duo in school history, and the only pair nationally this season, with 1,000 yards each. Carson Hansen and Abu Sama III each rushed for more than 500 yards.

Iowa State’s defense allowed only 21.5 points per game — the Cyclones are 6-0 when giving up fewer than 20 — and is highlighted by defensive tackles J.R. Singleton and Domonique Orange, as well as defensive backs Beau Freyler and Malik Verden, the team’s top two tacklers. The Cyclones intercepted 14 passes and recovered eight fumbles.

“They’re really explosive on offense,” Cristobal said. “And they’ve always played great defense. … Very disciplined, very hard-nosed, very tough and very physical.”

–Field Level Media