From Gattis to portal help to another potential 2023 freshman, UM has issues to resolve

UM addressed its need at cornerback this week by adding Iowa senior transfer Terry Roberts.

But the Canes still have several issues to work through in the months ahead.

Five of them:

▪ Resolving offensive coordinator Josh Gattis’ status and who will be calling plays.

Two officials in the athletic department at UM said there’s such mystery about Gattis’ situation that even they don’t know if he will remain on staff. Another UM official said he would be surprised if Gattis remains on the staff in 2023.

According to Canesport, Gattis is actively searching for another job. Two people conveyed that it’s their understanding that Gattis has been encouraged to do so but hasn’t been fired.

A bunch of players visited UM last weekend, and a coach of one of those players said he saw all the assistants except Gattis.

If UM fires Gattis, there would be a big buyout that the Canes ultimately might need to pay.

If he’s demoted — a possibility raised by Canesport — UM could use the position vacated by quarterback Frank Ponce’s move to Appalachian State to hire a play-caller. One source said a parting with Gattis is more likely than a demotion, but both are in play.

The situation needs to be resolved by the start of spring football in March.

Who Cristobal would turn to in such a scenario is unclear. Scott Frost, the former Nebraska coach, would be appealing, but he recently bought a home in the Phoenix area, and there’s no indication he’s looking to take an assistant’s job.

▪ Adding another safety, with the attention this week turning to Mississippi portal player Tysheem Johnson, who could back up James Williams and Kamren Kinchens and also play a pseudo linebacker/safety STAR role in nickel packages.

He’s expected to visit Miami on Tuesday; Wednesday is the deadline a player can enroll and be eligible for spring practice. Oregon is also in play for him.

Johnson had 78 tackles in 13 games last season. But he allowed a high passer rating in his coverage area last season: 126.6, with 24 completions in 29 targets for 257 yards and two TDs allowed.

Brian Balom and Markeith Williams are currently the backup safeties.

▪ Determine if any more prep players will be added to this 2023 class.

Per Canesport and 247, Chicago-based defensive tackle Jamel Howard Jr. will visit UM this weekend. He also is considering Michigan, Wisconsin, LSU and Illinois.

247 Sports rated him the 71st-best interior defensive linemen in the country.

UM added one defensive tackle in this class with Joshua Horton, and some believe defensive end Rueben Bain could end up at defensive tackle.

The Canes added two defensive tackles in the portal: Georgia State’s Thomas Gore and Purdue’s Branson Deen.

UM also continues to pursue five-star Class of 2023 multiposition prospect Nyckoles Harbor, but the Canes are an underdog.

▪ Find a receiver: A UM official reiterated this is a priority.

But if the Canes cannot land ex-Southern California Gary Bryant Jr. — who is taking his time making a decision after visiting UM, UCLA and Arizona — this could extend into the summer, with the hope that more quality receivers will enter the portal when a second window opens from May 1 to 15.

He told 247’s Greg Biggins on Tuesday: “I’ve heard from Georgia and Texas A&M still wants me to visit. I’m not sure if I’ll take any more visits though, we’ll see. Right now, the plan is to focus on the schools I visited, Miami, UCLA and Arizona and really break everything down.

“If I feel really good about a school, I could commit. If I’m still not sure, then I could take that last visit. I’m going back up to UCLA on Wednesday and I know coach Fisch is coming by for a home visit this week. I know coach Cristobal wants to come over too but we don’t have a date yet. I’m trying to be as detailed as I can be this time around and make the best choice for me.”

The expectation remains that UM will add at least one veteran receiver. Regardless, talented freshmen Robbie Washington (13 touchdowns last season) and Nathaniel Joseph will get a chance to earn immediate playing time.

▪ Find a fourth quarterback as depth behind Tyler Van Dyke, Jacurri Brown and Emory Williams.

It won’t be previous UM quarterback commitment Jaden Rashada, who is now looking at Pac-12 schools and potentially TCU after getting his release from Florida.

“That ship sailed,” tweeted UM NIL benefactor John Ruiz when asked if UM could pursue Rashada.

If UM doesn’t find a scholarship-worthy quarterback, it could take one as a preferred walk-on to essentially replace Missouri-bound Jake Garcia.