Mario Cristobal details how Henry Parrish is 'different' this season
The Miami Hurricanes are looking to improve in their second season under head coach Mario Cristobal. One of the players who Cristobal is going to rely upon in 2023 is running back Henry Parrish.
Parrish came to the Hurricanes at the same time as Cristobal, joining the Hurricanes as a transfer from Ole Miss. In 2022, Parrish then put up the best numbers of his career in 10 games. Now, Cristobal thinks that Parrish is a different back this season.
“Man, he’s different right now,” Mario Cristobal said. “I felt like last year he just kind of bogged down, got nicked up, got banged up.”
Parrish dealt with some injuries last season but still managed to play in 10 games, rushing for 616 yards and four touchdowns. Now, Mario Cristobal says he’s much better and running behind a better offensive line too.
“You know, we were a little bit deficient up front. We were lacking the body types you need to push people back and it showed up in his play. I think it affected him. I think that guy’s determined to have a great season and have a great team. I thought what really stood out to me, first of all, he’s running, he’s getting in and out of his stuff and getting downhill and being able to bounce stuff like I haven’t seen him do. I mean, this is what we recruited. This is what we wanted,” Cristobal said.
“And then you see the other stuff too, where one of his teammates will score a touchdown and he’ll be the first one screaming across the field. Good culture stuff, which, again, we’ve got to build that up every single day. That’s certainly not the snap of the finger stuff. That’s stuff you’ve got to work at. So, Henry — and the other part, he’s catching the ball really well.”
As Mario Cristobal pointed out, the offensive line didn’t live up to expectations in 2022. However, he’s looked to address that in the transfer portal. Matt Lee is coming in from UCF, where he was an All-AAC center. Then, Javion Cohen is making his way over from Alabama.
It’s a new look offensive line that has impressed Henry Parrish.
“Oh, man, those big guys are moving,” Parrish said. “We’re way bigger and way faster. Everybody is thinking big guys move slow, but our big guys up front move really well. We’re progressing, taking it day by day.”
Mario Cristobal says the roster will look significantly different after the transfer portal
Miami isn’t done building its roster for the 2023 season. Mario Cristobal confirmed that much. Following the Hurricanes’ spring game, Cristobal explained that Miami’s roster is going to look significantly different once it’s done using the transfer portal.
“We’re very fortunate to have coached and played for some really great coaches. It’s a blueprint that has stood the test of time and we’re sticking to it,” Cristobal told Pete Thamel. “To make that blueprint work, we still have to enhance the talent on our roster.”