What to know about some of portal players on UM’s radar, as Canes seek roster help

Miami Hurricanes notes and thoughts four days into the second portal window (which runs through April 30):

▪ Though his camp understandably doesn’t want to name a front-runner, it would be disappointing if UM doesn’t land Oregon State running back Damian Martinez, who appears to be the Canes’ top offensive target in the portal.

Martinez would give UM a sure-fire stud at running back, as Mark Fletcher Jr. continues his recovery from a serious foot injury in the Pinstripe Bowl.

Martinez is visiting Arizona, Kentucky and Mississippi State before taking his last visit to UM next weekend. His Arizona visit was this week. It’s unclear if this is merely a coincidence, but Jacory Croskey-Merritt (a standout transfer running back from New Mexico) flipped his transfer commitment from Arizona to Mississippi on Friday, per 247’s Matt Zenitz.

Canes running backs coach Matt Merritt visited Martinez at his Dallas home last weekend, and Mario Cristobal has made a full-court press.

Among running backs with at least 100 carries last season, Martinez was 25th in the country in per-carry average at 6.1.

He was fifth among all FBS backs in per-carry average among running backs who ran the ball at least 190 times. (Martinez ran 194 times.)

▪ The view here is that wide receiver isn’t the pressing need it seemed in February because of how impressive Jojo Trader and Ny Carr were as early enrollees this spring. Robby Washington also showed growth.

Xavier Restrepo and Jacolby George are a solid 1-2, presuming George doesn’t commit more mindless personal foul penalties.

That said, I can understand UM’s interest in Houston’s Sam Brown, who had 62 catches for 815 yards and three touchdowns last season. Brown played for now-UM and then-Cougars offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson in Houston in 2022.

Keep in mind that then-Cougars coach Dana Holgorsen suspended Brown for Houston’s 2022 bowl game for “immature behavior.”

But Brown blossomed last season, particularly in fighting for yards after the catch. Brown started his career at West Virginia.

“We knew when we recruited him he was going to be a really good player. I probably just didn’t do a very good job handling him,” West Virginia coach Neal Brown said last October before Houston and West Virginia met last October. “The room he came into probably didn’t help him, either. Sometimes a change of scenery works best, and it’s worked for him.

▪ Michigan State defensive tackle Simeon Barrow Jr. would be a big get if the Canes last lure him. 247 Sports and Canesport reported an ongoing pursuit.

The 6-3, 296-pounder would become an immediate starter and buoy a defensive tackle group that has several pretty good players but no dominator. If the season started today, Jared Harrison-Hunte likely would start at one spot, with CJ Clark (NC State transfer), Marley Cook (Middle Tennessee transfer) and Thomas Gore (who had a modest impact in his one year at UM) competing for the other spot.

Barrow had 36 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks in 12 games and 10 starts for the Spartans last season. He had 22 quarterback pressures and blocked two field goals.

▪ UM has been linked to a few portal cornerbacks this week, including Marshall’s Dyoni Hill, who played for UM defensive coordinator Lance Guidry and cornerbacks coach Chevis Jackson during their time there.

Per Pro Football Focus, Hill allowed a 93 passer rating in his coverage area last season – 32 completions in 57 attempts for 464 yards (14.5 average), three touchdowns and an interception.

Hill could provide depth, but it seems doubtful he would beat out Daryl Porter Jr. or Damari Brown to start if he joins UM. He told Canesport he’s setting up a visit to Miami.

247 Sports’ Gabe Urrutia reported “another name who is being seriously considered as an option for Miami” is FSU’s Greedy Vance Jr., who would be a good get if it materializes because that would allow Mishael Powell to move back from nickel corner to safety, where the Canes don’t have clear-cut starters. Vance is in the portal.

Powell often played safety on the Washington team that made it to the national championship game.

Vance allowed a sterling 49.8 passer rating in his coverage area for FSU last season — 11 completions in 27 targets for just 109 yards (9.9 yards per reception), an interception and a touchdown.

▪ In his seven-round mock draft, The Athletic’s Dane Brugler has safety Kamren Kinchens going in the third round (86th overall to Houston), defensive lineman Leonard Taylor III going in the fifth round (154) and center Matt Lee also going in Round 5 (174th).

“With his anchor and quickness, Lee is terrific value in the late fifth,” Brugler said.

Brugler has offensive lineman Javion Cohen going in the seventh round (243rd) and surprisingly, doesn’t have James Williams being drafted at all. Williams, a safety at UM, likely will be an NFL linebacker if he makes a team.