Offseason Additions: None
Offseason Departures: Robert Burns (transferred)
Despite the transfer of Robert Burns, Miami returns nearly all of its running back production from the 2020 season. The three-headed backfield of Cam Harris, Don Chaney, and Jaylan Knighton combined for 1,174 yards and 14 touchdowns on the ground last season. This is in large part due to Harris returning to the team for his 4th season, something the starting Miami running backs had not done in recent years.
Harris is the veteran and the leader of the group so he will likely start the spring as the top running back on the depth chart. Harris’s 643 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground made him Miami’s most productive running back in 2020 by far and he will look to hold onto his spot this spring so he can follow up on that performance in 2021.
Following Harris on the depth chart is Don Chaney and Jaylan Knighton as 2A and 2B. The two second-year players showed flashes as first-year contributors but will look to use their first full spring as a way to become more consistent as runners. Don Chaney finished 2020 with 322 yards and three touchdowns to Knighton’s 209 yards and one touchdown. This discrepancy in production is partially due to Knighton’s late-season injury, but he will be a full go when practice gets underway Monday.
The Canes added two 4-star backs in the 2021 class in Thad Franklin and Cody Brown, although they will not hit campus until the summer.
Bottom Line
Miami returns nearly all of their running back production from 2020 and with the maturation of two young players, Eric Hickson’s room could take a step forward this spring. One storyline to watch is if the duo of Chaney and Knighton becomes consistent enough to challenge Harris’ starting spot or if the 4th year back will retain his position atop the depth chart. With only three scholarship running backs on campus, this spring will provide plenty of first-team reps to both Chaney and Knighton to show how they have improved since we last saw them.
Offseason Departures: Robert Burns (transferred)
Despite the transfer of Robert Burns, Miami returns nearly all of its running back production from the 2020 season. The three-headed backfield of Cam Harris, Don Chaney, and Jaylan Knighton combined for 1,174 yards and 14 touchdowns on the ground last season. This is in large part due to Harris returning to the team for his 4th season, something the starting Miami running backs had not done in recent years.
Harris is the veteran and the leader of the group so he will likely start the spring as the top running back on the depth chart. Harris’s 643 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground made him Miami’s most productive running back in 2020 by far and he will look to hold onto his spot this spring so he can follow up on that performance in 2021.
Following Harris on the depth chart is Don Chaney and Jaylan Knighton as 2A and 2B. The two second-year players showed flashes as first-year contributors but will look to use their first full spring as a way to become more consistent as runners. Don Chaney finished 2020 with 322 yards and three touchdowns to Knighton’s 209 yards and one touchdown. This discrepancy in production is partially due to Knighton’s late-season injury, but he will be a full go when practice gets underway Monday.
The Canes added two 4-star backs in the 2021 class in Thad Franklin and Cody Brown, although they will not hit campus until the summer.
Bottom Line
Miami returns nearly all of their running back production from 2020 and with the maturation of two young players, Eric Hickson’s room could take a step forward this spring. One storyline to watch is if the duo of Chaney and Knighton becomes consistent enough to challenge Harris’ starting spot or if the 4th year back will retain his position atop the depth chart. With only three scholarship running backs on campus, this spring will provide plenty of first-team reps to both Chaney and Knighton to show how they have improved since we last saw them.
