The Miami Hurricanes will be without Jaylan Knighton and Larry Hodges for multiple weeks, including their opener against the top-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide on Saturday, after they suspended the two freshmen for undisclosed reasons.
Knighton, listed as the co-backup running back on the initial depth chart Monday, will miss four games. Hodges, a reserve tight end, will be out for two.
Knighton and Hodges join safety Avantae Williams as players suspended to start the year. Williams will miss the first six games of the season after he was arrested in July and dismissed from the team, then reinstated last month when charges were dropped.
Hodges was also arrested earlier this year on weapons and marijuana charges, and was suspended for the Hurricanes’ spring game in April following the March arrest. Miami-Dade County prosecutors also did not elect to pursue charges against the tight end.
No legal issues for Knighton were previously made public, but a source told the Miami Herald his suspension stems from a legal incident. He’s also the only suspended player listed on the two-deep depth chart.
Knighton started two games as a freshman in 2020 and is listed second on the depth chart — along with fellow running back Donald Chaney Jr. — behind Cam’Ron Harris. While running back Cam’Ron Harris won the starting job in the preseason, all three tailbacks could be counted on in 2021 after all started at various points last year.
Harris was the most consistent of the bunch and Chaney, at 5-foot-10 and 208 pounds, has the look of a future every-down back, but had shoulder surgery in the offseason. Knighton was dynamic as a receiver and has a chance to become the Hurricanes’ top third-down running back. In 2020, the halfback ran for 209 yards on 52 carries, and caught 11 passes for 135 yards, including a 75-yard touchdown catch.
With Knighton out, Harris and Chaney will handle most of the workload, although freshmen Thad Franklin and Cody Brown could also get some opportunities. Both running backs were four-star prospects in the 247Sports.com composite rankings for the Class of 2022.
Miami will, however, be with DJ Scaife Jr. despite his offseason arrest. The Hurricanes opted not to suspend the offensive lineman after he was arrested in July for carrying a concealed firearm without a permit. Charges were eventually dropped and Scaife now has a permit.
Scaife is listed as the starting right tackle on the depth chart, with star tackle Zion Nelson on the left side and offensive lineman Jarrid Williams as the backup left tackle. Nelson, however, missed significant a sizable chunk of fall camp, which means Williams could be counted on to play significant snaps off the bench Saturday.
Miami didn’t announce any new injuries Saturday. Offensive lineman John Campbell Jr., defensive end Thomas Davis and safety Brian Balom are all out for the season with undisclosed injuries, coach Manny Diaz said Monday.
