Miami Hurricanes return to the practice field this morning: What we'll be monitoring

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After a week off for spring break, the Miami Hurricanes football team returns to the practice field for spring practice No. 4 this morning, and this week will mark the first practice in full pads for the team. Stay tuned to CaneSport this morning as we’ll have your practice videos, news and notes from the practice field including depth chart updates, plus feedback from the team afterward.

As for some key areas we’ll be monitoring for you today and moving forward? Here you go:

5. DEPTH CHART NOTES

There are depth chart battles all over the place, and we’ll be monitoring some of the key ones as the spring continues. That includes LG where Luis Cristobal was the starter ahead of Samson Okunlola to begin Week 1 practices, 3^rd starting WR where Isaiah Horton was holding it down ahead of Mike Redding, RT where Matthew McCoy was with the ones ahead of Tommy Kinsler (with Francis Mauigoa out). DT saw Thomas Gore ahead of CJ Clark, so we’ll see if that continues, and at cornerback with Damari Brown returning we’ll see where Jadais Richard fits in. Both safety spots are also up for grabs. So there will be a lot going on and we’ll keep you updated.

4. THE RETURN OF BANGED UP PLAYERS

Mario Cristobal noted several players that would miss week 1 but be back at some point this spring: DL Akheem Mesidor, DL Armondo Blount, DL Cole McConathy, CB Damari Brown, S Brian Balom and TE Cam McCormick. So we are not just going to be looking for them this week, but also how the fit into the depth chart. We would assume Mesidor will work right in with the ones opposite Rueben Bain at DE, and Brown should factor in as a starting corner. He’ll join returning starter Daryl Porter, Jr. and nickel Mishael Powell. Cam McCormick started at tight end last year, but with Elijah Arroyo back we expect McCormick with the backups when he is back on the field. As for players out the entire spring? That’s a lengthy list: Nyjalik Kelly, Armondo Blount, Mark Fletcher, Ajay Allen, Zion Nelson, Frankie Tinilau, Francis Mauigoa, Francisco Mauigoa and Isaiah Thomas.

3. MIAMI QB CAM WARD’S OFFENSIVE PLAYMAKING

We saw Ward look great in week 1, but that was with shorts on and mainly in one-on-one and 7-on-7. It’s a lot different when the pads go on, so that will give a better sense of just how much Ward can really impact this offense that struggled with turnovers and red zone offense a year ago. So far he’s looked great in all aspects, and seeing that continue would be a huge positive. As an offshoot of that we’ll see just how well he understands the offense and if he and the receivers are truly on the same page.

2. THE BATTLE FOR MOST IMPROVED PLAYER

So far there are several candidates off a small sample size in week 1. We’d point to guys like TE Elijah Arroyo off injury, who looks great, or even RB Christopher Johnson (fast, explosive), LB Raul Aguirre (looks the part running with the ones in the middle with Francisco Mauigoa out) and LB Wesley Bissainthe (looks must faster and more explosive). Others have also flashed. So we’ll see who continues to step up and make plays beginning this morning.

1. GROWTH FROM WHAT WE’VE ALREADY SEEN

So far the team has only practiced in shorts, and you have to expect everyone to keep getting better this spring. To that point, here’s a catchup on what we’ve reported so far off Miami’s spring sessions:

SPRING PRACTICE NO. 3

Miami Hurricanes defensive coordinator Lance Guidry sees work to do but pleased with progress … praises growth of Bissainthe, Harris and others

News and notes from Miami Hurricanes’ third spring practice session

VIDEO: Miami Hurricanes at work in team’s third spring practice session

Miami Hurricanes DB Mishael Powell looking to make big immediate impact, calls Cam Ward “best quarterback in the country”

Oven mitts or not, Miami DB Jadais Richard making strides after losing weight and getting faster: “Big improvement for me”

Miami PK Andy Borregales: I want to join Jose as first brothers to win Lou Groza Award

SPRING PRACTICE NO. 2

Miami Hurricanes coach Mario Cristobal praises Cam Ward, QB room, sees progress being made with pads going on today at practice

Miami OC Shannon Dawson sees Cam Ward’s potential as bigtime playmaker, says QB’s fumbling issues of the past were “focus” issue

Miami Hurricanes WR Xavier Restrepo: Chemistry with QBs is on point, team bond much better this year

Miami Hurricanes OL Anez Cooper has reshaped his body, losing almost 20 pounds: “My pass set is way faster”