Miami Hurricanes Football

HEIGHT: 5'11"

WEIGHT: 226"

HAND: 8½"

ARM: 32"

WINGSPAN: 77⅝"

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POSITIVES

— Dense and powerful build that matches his running style.

— Strong combination of patience and vision as a runner.

— Downhill runner who finishes with physicality.

— Surprising quickness and elusiveness in tight spaces.

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NEGATIVES

— Lacks homerun or great long speed.

— Improving pass protection technique and hand placement.

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NOTES

— Born Jan. 31, 2004

— 3-Star recruit in 2022 class, per 247Sports

— 2024: All-ACC, Honorable Mention

— 2023 All-Pac-12 First Team; AP All-Pac-12 First Team; Doak Walker Award Semifinalist

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OVERALL

Damien Martinez is a densely built running back with surprising evasiveness with the football.

Martinez gives you both power and lateral elusiveness as a runner. He displays patience and bouncy footwork at the line of scrimmage like Le'Veon Bell. Martinez is adept at pressing a gap pulling a defender downhill before laterally cutting to a nearby vacated gap. For a big with his density, he can string together cuts well in the alley or into the third level of the defense. His patience exudes the coaching term, "slow too, fast through". Martinez plays at his own pace and forces the defense to join in.

When he isn't able to shake and bake a defender, he lowers the shoulder to run through them. He has immense lower-body strength to push forward through contact from multiple defenders. He is a hassle to bring down with forward momentum. Martinez's underrated trait is catching the football out of the backfield. He displays soft hands and looks the ball in. With his versatile running style, he makes it difficult for defenders in space.

Martinez is not a home run threat. His top-end speed is adequate but it will not wow you. Generating consistent explosive plays against NFL athletes will be more difficult. Due to his patient running style, defenses need to have disciplined run fits and cage him behind the line of scrimmage. Martinez is a willing pass protector but improving his technique and hand placement can go a long way with his third-down presence for the offense.

Overall, Damien Martinez is an adequate starting running back for Gap scheme teams. He is best suited for attacking the line of scrimmage downhill where his patience and vision can lead to success. He can be the lead running back of a power-rushing attack.

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GRADE: 7.4 (High-Level Backup/Potential Starter—Third Round)

OVERALL RANK: 68

POSITION RANK: RB6

PRO COMPARISON: Najee Harris

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Written by B/R NFL Scout Dame Parson

HEIGHT: 6'4½"

WEIGHT: 250

HAND: 10"

ARM: 33"

WINGSPAN: 81⅞"

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POSITIVES

— Manipulative route runner to fake out defenders for optimal separation.

— Vertical athleticism and speed to put defenders on their heels.

— Good NFL height and frame; plus-level wingspan to extend the catch point.

— Untapped potential; redshirt junior who has not reached his peak yet.

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NEGATIVES

— Improving run-blocking technique and hand placement.

— Functional strength at the point of attack.

— Hampered by injuries for two straight seasons before 2024.

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NOTES

— Born Apr. 5, 2003

— 4-Star recruit in 2021 class, per 247Sports

— 2024 Second-Team All-ACC

— Battled injuries in consecutive years, 2022-2023

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OVERALL

Elijah Arroyo combines size, speed, and athleticism to become a mismatch tight end at the next level.

Arroyo's biggest strengths are route running and creating separation. He manipulates defenders with his route stem to attack leverage and push them where he needs to free up the intended direction of his break. He sells routes well using his body, including head/shoulder fakes, eye manipulation, and rocker steps.

Arroyo attacks off/soft coverage with urgency, quickly putting them on their heels and vulnerable at the top of his routes. Athletically, Arroyo displays the speed and burst necessary to win the vertical plane. Alignment is insignificant; he can get behind the defense anywhere in the formation. He has a 6'9" wingspan and uses it well to extend at the catch point and pluck the ball away from his body. Arroyo will use his frame to shield defenders away from the ball and limit their chances of punching through the pocket to force a pass breakup.

As talented as Arroyo is, he has one year of production due to consecutive seasons with a left knee injury. He only played eight games between 2022 and 2023. Combine medical checks will be important to rule out any long-term concerns. Arroyo is a willing blocker, but two areas in which he can continue to improve are functional strength and technique. He is better suited for a wide-zone blocking scheme where he can use angles and momentum to his advantage. His hand placements and technique do not allow him to secure and sustain blocks. Initial pop is sufficient, though.

Elijah Arroyo projects as a Flex(F) tight end with a high-playmaking ceiling. He is the type of tight end who creates mismatches and should be used as a pre-snap coverage indicator. He possesses the tools required to be a potential high-volume pass catcher for an NFL offense.

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GRADE: 7.8

OVERALL RANK: 41

POSITION RANK: TE4

PRO COMPARISON: Shades of Zach Ertz

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Written by B/R NFL Scout Dame Parson

HEIGHT: 6'5"

WEIGHT: 258

HAND: 10"

ARM: 33⅛”

WINGSPAN: 80½”

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40-YARD DASH: 4.62

3-CONE: 7.41

SHUTTLE: 4.53

VERTICAL: 35.5"

BROAD: 10'1"

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POSITIVES

— Good size and frame for an NFL defensive end.

— Works the hands well as a pass-rusher.

— Solid hand-swipe and cross-chop moves that he can win with.

— Decent angles and bend when rushing the passer to take efficient paths to the quarterback.

— Good instincts as a run defender to put himself in position to take on blocks or get unblocked tackles near the line of scrimmage.

— Quick to get his hands up against the run and has good arm length and solid upper body strength to get extension and set the edge against tight ends.

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NEGATIVES

— Not quick-twitched.

— Lacks explosion off the line of scrimmage to win with speed around the edge.

— Sub-par quickness and change of direction skills hurts his ability to turn speed to power.

— Needs to rush with a plan, doesn't show counter moves if his initial move doesn't work.

— Plays high and lacks lower body strength to anchor as a run defender against offensive linemen with good leverage.

— Older prospect, will be a 24-year-old rookie.

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NOTES

— Born Oct. 22, 2001

— A 4-star recruit in the 2020 class, per 247Sports

— Injuries: 2024 (Undisclosed, missed spring practice at Louisville)

— Played at Tennessee from 2020 to 2023, committed to Ole Miss out of the transfer portal originally, then flipped to Louisville and enrolled in the spring before transferring again to Miami ahead of summer camp

— 2024: Honorable Mention All-ACC

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OVERALL

After spending four years at Tennessee before eventually making his way to Miami this past season, Tyler Baron is one of the older and more experienced edge defenders in this year's draft class.

That shows in his ability to play the run. He's consistently in the right spot and in a good position to take on blocks, especially against pullers, as either the force or spill player.

Baron also has impressive size and length, which help him set the edge when taking on blocks from tight ends. However, he plays with a sub-par pad level and lacks lower body strength to effectively anchor against offensive linemen who play with good leverage. That will result in him getting widened or washed inside in the ground game.

As a pass-rusher, the former Hurricane lacks the twitch to make offensive tackles miss consistently. But he does have decent cross-chop and hand-swipe moves to win around the edge and can play the hands. Also, while he's not super bendy, he has enough flexibility and takes good angles to have efficient paths to the quarterback.

Overall, Baron is a solid player who can be a serviceable backup in the NFL. His best role would be as a rotational defensive end in even fronts.

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GRADE: 6.5 (Potential Role Player — 4th Round)

OVERALL RANK: 168

POSITION RANK: EDGE19

PRO COMPARISON: Dawuane Smoot

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Written by B/R NFL Scout Matt Holder

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Prospect workout numbers, measurables (40-yard dash, hand size, etc.) and 2024 statistics will be added at a later date.

Carson Beck's first game with his new team should be a good one.

Beck, who transferred from Georgia to Miami shortly after the Bulldogs lost to Notre Dame in the CFP quarterfinal, will square off against the Fighting Irish in his first game with the Hurricanes.

Miami announced Thursday that the game will be held on Sunday, Aug. 31, at 7:30 p.m. ET. The Canes will host the Fighting Irish at Hard Rock Stadium, and the contest will air on ABC.

A rivalry renewed

Our Week 1 matchup against Notre Dame is scheduled for Sunday, August 31st at 7:30 p.m. on ABC 🙌

🎟️: https://t.co/wqGJeLYju1 pic.twitter.com/AG8BlRyrbW

— Miami Hurricanes Football (@CanesFootball) January 23, 2025

Beck spent four seasons at Georgia and two years as the starter, but opted for a change of scenery this offseason. The potential Heisman candidate reportedly received a massive offer to join the Hurricanes, as CBSSports.com's John Talty and Chris Hummer reported Beck is expected to make $4 million in NIL money with Miami.

In his final season with the Bulldogs, Beck threw for 3,485 yards, 28 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. While those are solid numbers, he didn't pan out the way many expected him to in his second year under center, and his season was cut short due to an elbow injury in the SEC championship game against Texas.

In 2024, Miami landed one of the top quarterbacks out of the portal in Cam Ward and turned him into a Heisman finalist and potentially a top draft pick. The Hurricanes will look to have the same success with Beck in 2025.

Despite an outstanding year from Ward, Miami is coming off a mostly disappointing season. The Hurricanes started the year 9-0, but faced late-season upsets against Georgia Tech and Syracuse, leading to absences from the ACC championship and the College Football Playoff.

Still, Miami is trending in the right direction under Mario Cristobal and it will get the chance to set the tone for its season with a big win over Notre Dame.

The Fighting Irish are still recovering from their heartbreaking loss against Ohio State in the CFP title game, but Marcus Freeman's squad should come back stronger and make the Week 1 matchup between Notre Dame and Miami one to watch.

Former Wisconsin defensive back Xavier Lucas left the school for Miami on Wednesday, according to Yahoo Sports' Ross Dellenger.

Lucas signed a revenue-sharing contract with the Badgers, as they previously refused to enter him into the portal despite requesting a transfer (via Dellenger).

He made the move by withdrawing from classes at Wisconsin and enrolling academically at Miami, presumably bypassing NCAA transfer rules by not formally signing with the Hurricanes.

Per Dellenger, Lucas' attorney had planned to file suit against both the NCAA and Wisconsin over antitrust claims related to the situation and accused Wisconsin of blatantly violating NCAA rules by not inserting the defensive back's name into the portal.

Dellenger reported Saturday that Wisconsin plans to pursue legal action against Miami, accusing the school of tampering with Lucas.

In a statement, Wisconsin suggests that it will pursue legal recourse related to DB Xavier Lucas, who signed a rev-share deal with UW and then left for Miami.

UW says it has "credible information indicating" that Miami tampered with him.

A landmark case in college sports. https://t.co/lponlrzvfF pic.twitter.com/ZBjxy5U53N

— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) January 18, 2025

The Big Ten also released a statement in support of Wisconsin:

As expected, the Big Ten has now released a statement strongly supporting Wisconsin’s actions over DB Xavier Lucas and the revenue-share contract that he signed before deciding to transfer to Miami.

Friday’s @YahooSports story with details - https://t.co/SJg2MVpN4r pic.twitter.com/Cu60RdnD2O

— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) January 19, 2025

Schools have 48 hours to enter a player's name into the portal after receiving notice of their intent to transfer, and the player cannot enter their own name (via Nick Schultz of On3.com).

Lucas appeared in 12 games with the Badgers during the 2024 season, recording 18 tackles, two tackles for loss, two passes defensed and one interception.

He was a 4-star prospect who ranked as the No. 35 safety in the 2024 recruiting class, per 247Sports' composite rankings.

Lucas detailed Wisconsin's refusal to enter his name into the portal in a Dec. 27 post on social media.

https://twitter.com/XavierL_25/status/1872697059146645986

The NCAA provided a statement addressing the situation, explaining that athletes aren't prohibited from unenrolling at their current schools and enrolling at new ones.

"NCAA rules do not prevent a student-athlete from unenrolling from an institution, enrolling at a new institution and competing immediately," the statement said, via Dellenger.

After signing a revenue-sharing agreement with Wisconsin, Lucas will be suiting up for a Miami team that's coming off a 10-3 season under head coach Mario Cristobal in 2024.

Miami head coach Mario Cristobal is not happy that some believed quarterback Cam Ward quit during the team's 42-41 loss to Iowa State in the Pop-Tarts Bowl.

In fact, he called such a notion "bulls--t" on Monday, per Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press.

Cristobal also explained the team went into the contest with a predetermined plan to play Ward at the start but not have him finish, adding it is "a false narrative" to believe he quit on his teammates.

The Hurricanes jumped out to a 31-28 halftime lead in a back-and-forth game with Ward under center as he went 12-of-19 for 190 yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions. However, the offense managed just one touchdown in the second half with Emory Williams going 5-of-14 for 26 yards, zero touchdowns and one interception.

Iowa State scored the go-ahead touchdown in the final minute, and Miami's final drive ended with Williams' interception.

The Hurricanes surely would have put themselves in better position to win if Ward played the entire game, but they also had to think about his future. The risk-reward analysis for the Pop-Tarts Bowl likely wasn't worth risking an injury, but he still played for some of the game in a time when many top draft prospects opt out of non-playoff bowl games entirely.

That future will include him being selected early in the 2025 NFL draft, as B/R's NFL Scouting Department ranked him as the sixth-best overall player and best quarterback in its latest big board of prospects.

It also projected him as the No. 2 overall pick in its latest mock draft, underscoring that his talent and potential will surely override any concerns NFL teams may have with him not playing down the stretch of the Pop-Tarts Bowl.

Miami boosters are paying a pretty penny to have former Georgia quarterback Carson Beck suit up for the Hurricanes next season.

CBSSports.com's John Talty and Chris Hummer reported Beck is expected to make $4 million in NIL money, which "is still less than an initial asking price industry sources believe would have shattered the highest paid NIL deal in college football history."

The Athletic's Bruce Feldman and Manny Navarro, however, cited multiple sources who said "the number he's set to receive from Miami channels is closer to a little over $3 million, roughly double the $1.6 million Heisman Trophy finalist Cam Ward earned through Miami's collective."

Dan Everett, Beck's agent, declined to confirm any NIL specifics tied to his client's transfer to Miami.

"Miami is a terrific market and we are pumped for Carson to become a Cane!" Everett said to Talty and Hummer. "As one of the premier faces of college football NIL, we expect his brand portfolio to continue expanding with premium and national brands. Carson will prioritize teammate inclusive partnerships that include charitable components."

Prior to the start of the 2024 season, Beck appeared to be a lock to declare for the 2025 NFL draft, and the odds still seemed pretty good even as his performance fell short of expectations. He was the No. 37 overall player on Bleacher Report's most recent big board.

But the UCL injury Beck suffered in the SEC title game may have caused him to reverse course after having first signaled his intention to leave college behind.

Matt Zenitz of CBSSports.com spoke with multiple sources who suggested the experienced QB "wasn't a lock to go in the first three rounds even before the UCL injury." Perhaps Beck and his reps got even more critical feedback after he was sidelined.

Before the advent of the NIL era, Beck probably would've risked it even if his draft stock was perceived to be slipping. When he can make $4 million from one season at Miami, spurning the NFL was a pretty easy call.

Per Spotrac, the No. 18 overall pick in the 2025 draft will average just under $4.1 million annually from his rookie contract, and that's likely well ahead of where Beck would've been picked. If he had dropped to the second round, the highest average salary he could've earned was $2.7 million.

Strictly for the 2025 season, the 23-year-old will probably get more at Miami than he would've in the pros, and he's creating the opportunity to significantly increase his future earnings. Maybe he can reassert himself as one of the top passers on the board in 2026, which is exactly what Cam Ward did with his brief time on the Hurricanes ahead of this year's draft.

Miami fans will have to wait a while to see quarterback Carson Beck on a football field, but the Hurricanes' newest transfer is already making his impact felt in the content game.

Beck and girlfriend Hanna Cavinder, a guard on Miami's basketball team, celebrated his arrival in South Florida in a video she posted to TikTok:

Looks like Carson Beck has arrived in the 305 pic.twitter.com/J2koi1ZQ5F

— CaneSport Miami Hurricanes (@CaneSport) January 10, 2025

Take a look at the top assists from @CavinderHanna so far this season! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/BALKcuU70X

— Hurricanes Women’s Basketball (@CanesWBB) January 10, 2025

Having spent the last four years at Georgia, Beck was eligible to enter the 2025 NFL draft, and he was generally expected to test the pro waters. He was the No. 37 overall prospect on Bleacher Report's 2025 big board that was posted on Jan. 2.

Instead, the experienced signal-caller will suit up for Miami next season.

In addition to the fact his girlfriend is already a student there, CBS Sports' John Talty and Chris Hummer reported Beck is expected to collect $4 million in total NIL money with the transfer.

For some perspective, Caleb Williams has a $795,000 base salary from his rookie deal with the Chicago Bears. As the No. 1 overall pick in 2024, he also received a $25.5 million signing bonus.

The payouts dropped precipitously as you get further down the first round. Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr., who was picked 23rd overall, got a $7.5 million signing bonus.

Getting $4 million to play another year of college ball and potentially improving your draft stock in the process could be a shrewd decision.

Beck had a somewhat underwhelming final year at Georgia. In 13 games, he threw for 3,485 yards, 28 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.

Cam Ward parlayed his one year with Miami into becoming one of the top QBs in the 2025 draft, so maybe Beck could be on a similar trajectory.

The Miami Hurricanes have found their replacement for quarterback Cam Ward.

Former Georgia quarterback Carson Beck announced on X that he had committed to Miami to continue his collegiate career.

Go Canes 🙌 pic.twitter.com/VPRLm3dKUH

— CB (@carsonbeck01) January 10, 2025

Former Georgia QB Carson Beck announces he has committed to Miami pic.twitter.com/jULVzXLjDn

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 10, 2025

Beck had declared for the 2025 NFL draft but instead entered the transfer portal on Thursday. One day later, he is heading to Miami to replace Ward, who will be in the 2025 draft.

Beck spent the past five seasons at Georgia, where he won two national championships and was a two-year starter. He assumed the role in the 2023 season and compiled an overall record of 23-3 as a starter.

His 2023 season was better than his 2024 one, but he remained an impact player for the Bulldogs. He threw for 3,485 yards with 28 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 2024.

He suffered a UCL injury in his elbow during the SEC Championship Game against Texas and missed the team's College Football Playoff quarterfinal loss to Notre Dame after undergoing surgery.

Miami went 10-3 after a sensational season from Ward in which he finished fourth in the race for the Heisman Trophy. Beck will hope to pick up where Ward left off and revitalize his draft stock for 2026.

Cam Ward's decision to only play the first half of Miami's 42-41 loss against Iowa State in this year's Pop-Tarts Bowl proved to be extremely controversial, at least from an outside perspective

The Hurricanes, however, knew what to expect going into the game. Bruce Feldman of The Athletic provided more insight into Ward's decision:

From talking to sources inside the Miami program, no one was surprised that Ward didn't finish the game. The Athletic learned that Ward agreed to start the game but there was no timeline in terms of how long he would play. A big part of the reason Ward played, according to those program sources, was because he knew that if he opted out, 10 other players would've opted out as well. But if he started the game, those others would start, too.

I've had conversations with multiple Miami coaches and staffers who have repeatedly gushed about Ward's leadership skills and competitiveness over the past year, and I doubt those sentiments have changed much. I know they haven't from a few of the people I have talked to since the Pop-Tarts Bowl.

Feldman added that the original expectation was that Ward would play a quarter, but after Miami fumbled the opening snap of the game and running back Damien Martinez scored on a 75-yard touchdown run on the second possession, circumstances changed and Ward decided to play the entire half.

The risk-reward ratio for Ward playing at all heavily skewed toward risk. Miami was playing in a meaningless bowl game after failing to reach the College Football Playoff, and Ward is widely considered one of the two best quarterback prospects in the 2025 NFL draft alongside Colorado's Shedeur Sanders.

In other words, he had very little to gain, but was risking the sort of major injury that could have negatively affected his draft stock. An NFL general manager told Feldman that he "didn't think much of it" when seeing Ward only played the first half, so the decision is unlikely to raise any red flags with NFL teams.

Frankly, the only thing that feels off about the situation was the messaging from Miami's end:

Mandel: Cam Ward plan was in place for weeks.

Q: Why didn’t Mario just say that? And why didn’t Ward do a post-game presser? Odd. https://t.co/alhr3U8J7u

— Joe Schad (@schadjoe) December 29, 2024

I asked Mario Cristobal about how he and Cam Ward came to the decision for Ward to play one half. Here is the full quote.

I don't believe Cam Ward has discussed why he opted to play in the bowl game. He has not been made available to local media since the Syracuse game. pic.twitter.com/lkKxwCZK5x

— Adam Lichtenstein (@ABLichtenstein) December 29, 2024

Unless there were promises made to the contrary, the criticism of Cam Ward for only playing a half is crazy.

And watching Shedeur Sanders take shots in the first half ...

We're seeing why guys in their position typically sit out if not in the playoff. It's that simple.

— Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton) December 29, 2024

I’ve been working all day, so I don’t know all the specifics but this Cam Ward dialogue seems silly. One play, one series, one half…don’t care. I would be shocked if any team moved him one spot because of it.

— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) December 29, 2024

And Ward gave Miami plenty to remember fondly this season, throwing for 4,313 yards, 39 touchdowns and seven interceptions while leading the Hurricanes to 10 wins. He was a Heisman Trophy finalist, and while the Hurricanes' failure to win an ACC title or reach the CFP was a major disappointment, it was still a huge improvement from the team's 7-6 record a year ago.

The outrage over Ward not finishing the Pop-Tarts Bowl feels like much adieu over nothing, in other words. Ward split the difference—he didn't completely bail on his team, but he limited his injury risk as well.