CaneSport’s Inside the Lines: Miami Hurricanes running back Jordan Lyle has lofty goals and expectations for his time at The U

Watch Miami practices this fall, and it’s pretty obvious there’s a lot of talent all over the field. And the running backs room is no exception. It starts with star transfer Damien Martinez, followed by last year’s starter coming off injury, sophomore Mark Fletcher. Fletcher and younger backs are battling to be the No. 2 and 3 guys into games … considering Fletcher is coming off injury and is being worked back in slowly.

So don’t sleep on Miami true freshman back Jordan Lyle getting some significant reps in Year 1. He’s looked agile and fast in practices, with that mixture of speed and power that Mario Cristobal covets.

“It’s going great.” Martinez told CaneSport of his adjustment to college. “I’m glad I’m learning from coach (Matt) Meritt, from the other running backs around me.”

INSIDE THE LINES SERIES: C Zach Carpenter … QB Emory Williams … WR Jacolby George … OL Francis Mauigoa … DT Ahmad Moten … OL Samson Okunlola … OL Matthew McCoy

Lyle says he welcomes the competition, and he isn’t setting his goals at simply playing. He takes a more cerebral approach.

“My goals for my first season – learn and compete.” he says. “As long as I learn and compete I feel I’ll be able to see the field and show my talents.”

He’s cognizant of all the talent around him and says he “loves competition.”

“Coming into Miami – I was like `Man, it’s a lot of competition here,’” Lyle said. “It makes you smile. I get amped up, ready to go.”

He says playing at Ft. Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas High helped prepare him, as that high level program is run almost like it’s a college program.

“I had guys like (Colorado/ Oregon State RB) Anthony Hankerson, great guys I was able to learn from,” Lyle said. “Also learning from (my coaches in high school). I’m glad I took my talents to St. Thomas and now I’m here at The U. I’m learning from coach Merritt now and coach Cristobal day by day.

“Coming in from a program like St. Thomas Aquinas, it’s real similar so I kind of got adjusted pretty fast. I’m not a fish out of water.”

Lyle also spoke about all the talent this team has on offense.

“I mean, shoot, when you look at (QB) Cam Ward, he’s a real field general,” Lyle said. “He knows what he’s doing, how he’s supposed to do it. He’s helping out the running backs room as well in the passing game. The offensive line is phenomenal – big, strong, fast. And even with the receivers catching balls, not dropping much. The running backs are running hard. We’re looking real good, are putting the pieces together.”

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