ICYMI: 5 bits of Canes news you may have missed

The 2020 season is officially over for your Miami Hurricanes but there’s been a lot of news in the past few days that will have a huge impact on next year. Here’s a quick recap of what’s happened.

Here's a little info on the newest Miami Hurricane and a little on what kind of impact he'll have on the team in 2021. @SixthRingCanes @5ReasonsSports https://t.co/qiVOJWUeq9

— Paul Austria (@paulaustria_) January 4, 2021

Miami adds grad transfer from Tennessee

Former Tennessee LB Deandre Johnson entered the transfer portal about a week ago after he got his undergrad degree and he announced a few days ago that he will be suiting up for the Canes for his final year of eligibility as a grad transfer. Johnson played 40 games for the Volunteers in 4 seasons with 9 starts. His 2020 season saw him be one of the biggest leaders on defense for Tennessee with 28 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles. Johnson is a former graduate of Miami Southridge High, where he was teammates with Miami wide receivers Mark Pope and Dee Wiggins. 

🗣 pic.twitter.com/A0owz1BXpk

— B. BOLD (@BubbBolden) January 5, 2021

Bubba Bolden announces he will return next season

One of the biggest anchors of the Miami defense in 2020, the former USC-transfer Bolden announced on Tuesday that he will be back for another season with the Canes. In his second season in Coral Gables, he led the team with 50 tackles, 6.5 TFL’s, with an interception and a forced fumble. Safety depth in 2021 will be incredible with 7 scholarship safeties including James Williams and Avantae Williams, and the Canes are also awaiting the decision of junior Gurvan Hall. 

IOweGodEveryThing…🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/QTzGhAE2VZ

— Camron Harris🇺🇸 (@polo_man_cam) January 1, 2021

Cam Harris will also return for his senior year

The Canes’ leading rusher in 2020, Harris announced that he will forego the draft for a bit and run it back with the team again in 2021. Harris ran for 643 yards on 126 carries with 10 TD’s, averaging 5.1 yards/carry. Running back depth would’ve been somewhat worrisome had he declared, as it would’ve left just four scholarship running backs on the roster, leaving Robert Burns as the only back with more than a year experience on campus.

Patrick Joyner enters transfer portal

Joyner has been with the team for 3 years and since he’s arrived on campus in 2018, coaches have switched him between defensive end and linebacker duties. He’s received very limited playing time in the past two seasons, recording only one tackle in 2020. So far, Joyner is the player from the Canes roster to enter the portal.

The defense is ready to roll‼️@CoachBanda tabbed as the Aggies Defensive Coordinator and Safeties Coach!

➡️ https://t.co/JoYjsp0i6o#AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/YabTHCoSgQ

— USU Football (@USUFootball) January 5, 2021

Safeties coach Ephraim Banda is leaving to take DC job at Utah State

One of Miami’s best recruiters and player developers is taking the next step in his career and is assuming full defensive coordinator duties at Utah State. Banda was the safeties coach at Miami for 5 seasons, first being hired by Mark Richt and getting retained by current head coach Manny Diaz, with Diaz also giving him co-DC duties. It is also rumored that Banda could take three of Miami’s assistant coaches with him to his next job: Demarcus Van Dyke (defensive quality control analyst at UM, will become cornerbacks coach at USU), Mike Zuckerman (Senior Quality Control Analyst/Defense), and Alex Devine (Assistant Director of Player of Development/Defense).

DL coach Todd Stroud will most likely not return

This is mostly rumored for the most part but it’s looking likely that due to “health reasons,” coach Stroud will not be on Miami’s staff next year. Stroud’s continued a good run of DL coaches for the Canes, as he’s played a big role in developing Greg Rousseau in 2019 as well as Jaelan Phillips and Quincy Roche in 2020. It is possible that Stroud could be retained in a much lesser role. 

Keep it locked with @PaulAustria_ and @SixthRingCanes on Twitter for the latest in Miami Hurricanes news and recruiting.

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