The Gators are set to host No.19 Miami inside the Swamp on Saturday. Gator Country provides you with five Hurricanes to watch vs Florida.
Senior QB Cam Ward #1
Miami addressed their need at quarterback in the transfer portal with Cam Ward, who tossed for 6,963 passing yards and 48 touchdowns in two seasons prior with Washington State. The 6’3, 223-pound dual threat quarterback also rushed for 13 touchdowns while completing 65.5% of his passes in two seasons with the Cougars.
The key for the Gators’ defense will be applying pressure. Ward holds a PFF grade of 57.0 under pressure compared to Mertz’s 78.9 grade. Ward completed just 44.7% of his passes for four touchdowns and two interceptions on 114 pass attempts under pressure. While Ward does have the ability to extend plays using his legs, he’s not very decisive in his decision making when facing pressure, which results in a high number of sacks. The senior quarterback has been sacked 79 times in the last two seasons and has fumbled 46 times in his college career, including 14 last season.
“Don’t let him get loose, try to keep him in the pocket, let him make tough decisions, let him throw it to tight windows, and make sure we cover well in the back end so that’s our plan,” junior linebacker Shemar James said on their plan for stopping Ward.
Senior WR Xaiver Restrepo #7
5th year senior Xaiver Restrepo will be a wide receiver to watch on Saturday. It took four years for Restrepo to break out in college, but he did in 2023, recording team highs in both receptions (85) and yards (1,092), while hauling in six receiving touchdowns.
Restrepo does the majority of the work between the numbers and has the ability to beat you at all three levels of the defense. Restrepo graded as one of the best route-runners in college football in 2023, ranking 15th in the FBS, according to Pro Football Focus.
“They’re going to give him the ball,” senior cornerback Jason Marshall said on Restrepo. “It’s a matter of going out there and executing and eliminating that.”
Restrepo will serve as Miami’s starting slot receiver.
Junior RB Damien Martinez #6
Miami added Oregon State transfer running back Damien Martinez to the roster this offseason and he’s expected to start for the Canes. The 6’0, 232-pound back was selected to the All-Pac 12 First Team in his freshman and sophomore seasons, racking up 2,167 yards on 355 attempts while totaling 16 rushing touchdowns. As a freshman, Martinez strung together six consecutive 100-yard games and ranked 4th nationally among all freshman in rushing yards.
While Martinez is not a burner by any means, he’s a bigger bodied back that’s tough to bring down and forces plenty of missed tackles.
Sophomore DL Rueben Bain Jr. #4
Rueben Bain put together a highly productive freshman campaign, totaling 44 tackles, 7.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles in 2023. Bain was particularly great at applying pressure, posting a pressure grade of 89.3, the 27th highest in college football last year, according to Pro Football Focus. Bain’s ‘win rate’ of 28.6% on true pass sets is considered elite.
“I think he’s just really unique. Loose-hipped, twitchy power. He’s instinctive,” Billy Napier said on Bain. “I think he played as a rookie; he was physically ready. Comes from a great program there at Central. Had a good fundamental base. He was able to get there midyear and be a factor as a freshman.”
Florida will have to neutralize Bain Jr. coming off the edge if they want to maximize their chances at winning on Saturday.
Senior LB Francisco Mauigoa #1
Francisco Mauigoa is back for his senior season after establishing himself as one of Miami’s better defensive players a year ago.
The 6’3, 230-pound linebacker was all over the field last year for the Canes, totaling a team high 82 tackles, 7.5 sacks, 18 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, and an interception, earning Second Team All-ACC in 2023. Mauigoa is an instinctive player that has above average explosiveness and excels in run defense.
“Their linebackers are really solid,” senior quarterback Graham Mertz said on Mauigoa. “Everything kind of runs through the linebacker. He’s a great player.”
Mauigoa allowed 19 catches for 186 yards on 33 targets in coverage, a reception percentage of 57.6.