Miami (Ohio) has handful of Kentucky natives on roster

Under former Notre Dame offensive coordinator Chuck Martin, Miami (Ohio) has leaned into midwestern states when it comes to roster building. The RedHawks have a roster littered with players from Indiana, Illinois, and Ohio.

The MAC East program also goes south and dabbles in Kentucky with high school recruiting.

On Saturday at Kroger Field, Miami (Ohio) will take the field for the Week 1 kickoff with six Kentucky natives on the roster. Each could play a significant role for a RedHawks team that is expected to compete for a conference title.

KSR has the rundown.

— Eli Blakey: The redshirt freshman defensive back out of Louisville (Ky.) DuPont Manual played in three games as a rookie for Miami (Ohio) last fall preserving his redshirt. A two-way player in high school, the 204-pound safety is competing for a starting spot in year two.

— Jack Coldiron: A redshirt junior out of Covington (Ky.) Catholic, Coldiron enters the season as a starter at tight end after playing in 15 games over the last two seasons. The tight end hauled in 16 catches for 293 yards last fall.

— Joseph Humphreys: The Owensboro (Ky.) Daviess County quarterback turned into one of the best high school players in the state last year when he threw for 3,940 yards and accounted for 65 total touchdowns. Brett Gabbert is the clear guy for Miami (Ohio) at quarterback, but Humphreys could be next in line.

— Ben Jackson: A swing tackle for the Miami (Ohio) offense, Jackson has played in 16 games over his first three seasons on campus. The Winchester (Ky.) George Rogers Clark product will be a quality depth piece for offensive coordinator Eric Koehler.

— Mason Moore: The younger son of Kentucky legend Marty Moore is entering his true freshman season at Miami (Ohio). The Lexington (Ky.) Christian Academy product is playing defensive back in the MAC after starring on both sides of the ball for the Eagles.

— Sam Vaughan: A redshirt junior out of Lexington (Ky.) Catholic, Vaughan started all 13 games for Miami (Ohio) at offensive tackle. The 6-foot-7 lineman is one of four returning starters on the offensive line for an experienced RedHawks offense.