Every college football season brings new opportunities for players to step up and earn bigger roles.
This article looks to highlight some of the up-and-coming Hurricanes that are expected to thrive in 2025 after flashing some potential in 2024.
College football is a developmental sport and 2025 will be a time for the next wave of UM playmakers to establish themselves.
Read on for a look at rotational players in 2024 who flashed potential to build upon in 2025.
RB JORDAN LYLE VS. WAKE FOREST
Snaps: 15
Lyle is the type of explosive athlete who can change the scoreboard on any given play and he made a significant impact late in a blowout victory over Wake Forest, totaling 115 rushing yards and one touchdown. Lyle scored from 18 yards out and late in the game exploded for a 61-yard run. In the game against Wake Forest, Lyle showed impressive power and contact balance, averaging 13.29 yards per carry after contact. Four of his seven rushing attempts went for at least ten yard gains.
Lyle will benefit from a full offseason in the Miami strength and conditioning program. He arrived at Miami as a summer enrollee freshman and so this full year of training at the college level is only going to help him get bigger, faster, and stronger. Lyle is poised to be one of Miami’s top weapons in 2025.
WR JOJO TRADER VS. IOWA STATE
Snaps: 46
Trader received more than 20 offensive snaps in just one game during the 2024 season and in that performance against Iowa State he flashed his playmaking ability while catching three passes for 61 yards and one touchdown. In that game, Trader caught all three of his targets, including a deep shot that went 40 yards for a touchdown in which he forced a missed tackle as he found the end-zone. Trader is going to have an opportunity to earn significantly more playing time this offseason. The second year receiver brings plenty of natural talent and playmaking ability to the field. If he can improve his strength in the weight room this offseason, Trader has star potential.
TE ELIJA LOFTON VS. BALL STATE
Snaps: 24
Lofton earned 24 snaps during a blowout victory over Ball State and flashed his ability to generate explosive plays in the passing game while catching two passes for 51 yards and a touchdown, which went for 40 yards on a wheel route. In the game, Lofton showed the ability to line up in the slot and also perform as an inline tight end. Lofton has a unique skill set and will be a bigger weapon for the Hurricanes in 2025. Lofton earned an 86.8 offensive grade from PFF in the game. Look for Lofton to see his snap count increase and his production to also take a big step forward in 2025 with more opportunities.
OL MARKEL BELL VS. VIRGINIA TECH
Snaps: 74
The Hokies featured talented pass rushers in 2024 and this game against Virginia Tech represented the first start for Bell against a Power Four opponent. In the game, Bell allowed only two pressures and did not allow a sack. His two pressures was less than every other starting offensive lineman for the Hurricanes that day. Bell also received a 60.1 run blocking grade from PFF in the game, which was his second highest grade against a Power Four opponent in that phase.
This game was the second most snaps Bell received in a single game during the 2024 season and it was the his third best graded performance against a Power Four opponent. Bell flashes big time potential. The next step for him in 2025 is to raise the consistency level and minimize the critical mistakes.
DT AHMAD MOTEN VS. WAKE FOREST
Snaps: 16
Moten made a big impact in a small sample size against Wake Forest. Moten only played 16 snaps against the Demon Deacons because he was forced to sit out the first half of the game due to a targeting penalty that was called in the second half at Georgia Tech. Moten finished the game with two pressures and a sack while earning a 73.2 tackling grade and a 69.8 run defense grade.
Moten will look to earn more playing time in 2025 and one area he needs to improve this offseason is with his tackling consistency. Moten finished the year with a missed tackle percentage of 21.1 percent and earned a tackling grade of less than 30.0 from PFF in four different games.
Moten can be a highly disruptive player and he flashed that ability against Wake Forest.
DB ZAQUAN PATTERSON VS. DUKE
Snaps: 16
As a true freshman in 2024, Patterson consistently showed he can be a sure tackler who brings an ability to strike and deliver knock-back with his physicality. In the game against Duke, Patterson also showed he could be solid in coverage. Patterson earned a PFF coverage grade of 82.2 against the Blue Devils while receiving a 79.6 tackling grade as well. Patterson was graded with three ‘STOPS’ which is a metric that measures tackles that represent a failure for the offense. Kiko Mauigoa finished that game with four ‘STOPS’ and played 62 total snaps. In coverage, Patterson allowed one reception for two yards, which was caught two yards past the line of scrimmage.
Patterson needs to take a step forward with his confidence in coverage this offseason. If Patterson can improve his eye discipline when in coverage, he can be a strong contributor in the secondary.
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