Miami will be missing several key players for their game against Florida A&M, according to Marilyn Payne of the ACC Network. Defensive lineman Rueben Bain, cornerback Damari Brown, and offensive linemen Jalen Rivers and Ryan Rodriguez are all out. Bain and Brown also missed most of the season opener against Florida.
Elijah Alston, Tyler Baron, and Akheem Mesidor are expected to step in for Bain, while true freshman O.J. Frederique and Dyoni Hill will handle cornerback duties alongside starter Darryl Porter Jr. Markel Bell will replace Rivers at left tackle, with Matthew McCoy and Samson Okunlola rotating at right guard. These injuries give reserves and backups a chance to gain valuable playing time against an FCS opponent.
Offensive line coach Alex Mirabal has confidence in his reserves, although Bell’s holding penalty negated a Miami touchdown, and McCoy was flagged for a false start in the previous game. Bain and Brown are expected to miss a few weeks, but there’s no word on how long Rivers and Rodriguez will be out. With Ball State up next, Miami seems positioned to manage the injuries for their early non-conference games, ending with a matchup at South Florida on September 21.
No. 12 Miami hosts Florida A&M in Cam Ward’s Hard Rock Stadium debut.
No reigning ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year tonight, Rueben Bain Jr. out with a soft tissue lower body injury. Same for CB Damari Brown.
New: no LT Jalen Rivers. 6’8” Markel Bell starting in Rivers’ place. pic.twitter.com/k062C36y0P
— Marilyn Payne (@marilyn_payne) September 7, 2024
When Mario Cristobal and his staff took over in December 2021, they prioritized strengthening both the defensive and offensive lines in recruiting. The additions of transfers Elijah Alston and Tyler Baron, along with junior college recruit Markel Bell, have significantly bolstered Miami’s depth for the 2024 season. Alston and Baron were particularly dominant against Florida with Rueben Bain sidelined.
Frederique and Hill are expected to gain valuable experience at cornerback, while Bell, McCoy, and Okunlola will also see increased snaps, helping further their development. Miami comfortably handled Florida A&M, leading 25-3 late in the second quarter when this report was published. Cristobal and his staff have excelled in building depth across the Miami roster.
