While Monday was clearly a big day for Miami’s 26 newcomers, quarterbacks included, it was also a memorable day for players like Elijah Arroyo, who have battled through injury to get back on the field.
Arroyo appeared in just five games last season and only four games in 2022 after getting hurt during his sophomore campaign.
But on Monday, Arroyo said he was starting to feel more and more like the tight end who appeared in all 12 games during his freshman campaign back in 2021.
“It was definitely frustrating,” Arroyo said of the fact he wasn’t able to come back last season as quickly as he’d hoped. “I gave myself a day to be mad about, you know? But after that, there’s nothing I [could] do. Just got to keep my head down, work, and control what I can control. … I feel great 1709649788. I feel like Elijah Arroyo.”
The key for the Hurricanes now is to keep that energy level high through the rest of the spring.
After going 5-7 in 2022, Miami earned a bowl berth and finished last season with a 7-6 mark. Continuing to improve remains the primary focus and that improvement should continue, not just because of the influx of talent the Hurricanes welcomed this offseason, but because of consistency on the sideline.
Offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson and defensive coordinator Lance Guidry are both back, and this spring, instead of focusing on installing their respective systems, the approach can be on growth and progress.
That, Cristobal noted, will make a difference for Miami moving forward.
“Familiarity with language, with verbiage, with systems, with processes is always at a premium in college football with the ever-changing landscape, with the turnover that you always have,” Cristobal said. “It’s been a while since we’ve been able to have that [consistency] anywhere I’ve been, so it’s really refreshing, and it feels good.”
Said offensive lineman Jalen Rivers, “I’ve had an offensive coordinator change like almost every year, so this is a good opportunity for me to come in my second year with Coach Dawson and already know the offense. … It’s great to just know the offense so I can teach the guys behind me and be that leader. I already know my stuff, so I’ve got to help the guys behind me. I’ve got to help the whole offense and make us all better.”
Johnson returns
As has become Miami tradition, more than a few former Hurricane standouts were at Monday’s practice, taking in the action on Greentree.
Former…
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