Elijah Arroyo is positioned as a top-100 draft pick, and could possibly go off the board as early as the 2nd round bringing Miami back into the minds of fans as TE U.
The Miami Hurricanes 2024 season has come to a close and before we turn the page completely to Carson Beck and the 2025 season, let’s take a look at what the Tight End position provided Cam Ward and the Hurricanes offense in ‘24.
Four players saw playing time as tight ends for TE U. this season. Potential top-50 NFL Draft pick Elijah Arroyo, 9th year senior Cam McCormick, sophomore Riley Williams and freshman Elija Lofton.
Arroyo was named to the All-ACC second team offense per ACC.com and hit 21.8 MPH this season. Arroyo was also named a Reese’s Senior Bowl top performer this winter.
Elijah Arroyo
When I’m right, I’m really dang right! Here is what I had to say about Elijah Arroyo in my piece “Maybe he’s born with it,” prior to his freshman season at Miami:
I chose three random recruits to break down their running form of. I am so impressed by Elijah Arroyo I’m scared to type this. He is one hell of a football player. Like, I’m not sure what determines a four star from a five star on these sites like 247 Sports, but what is he missing?!
Elijah Arroyo met those lofty praises, finally, after a pair of injury plagued seasons at Miami in the middle of his ‘Canes career. Arroyo came on strong in 12 games as a freshman averaging 17.2 yards per catch with one touchdown. He spent his pair of sophomore seasons injured, before a breakout junior campaign.
This season, Arroyo caught 35 balls for 590 yards and seven touchdowns on 16.9 yards per catch. Arroyo was an able blocker that could dominate at times.
Some more notes from my viewing of Arroyo’s high school film:
He’s blocking a dude on his tape all the way into the back wall through the bench. He’s sprinting like a track star. He’s on kick return pancaking TWO GUYS on one clip, he shows that he knows how to catch a damn football by getting his chest and eyes back, and high pointing the thing.
I hope I’m not jinxing this young fella but I sent his tape to a college and a high school assistant and we just talked about how awesome this kid is for 10 minutes.
Oh — And Arroyo threw a touchdown pass on “Texas to Texas” to Cam Ward for my favorite play design of the season.
Cam Ward … receiving touchdown!!?
ESPN x @CanesFootball pic.twitter.com/aGuCkJzdBD
— ACC Football (@ACCFootball) October 27, 2024
Cam McCormick
Cam McCormick, the 9th year senior transfer from Oregon, caught six catches for 42 yards (seven YPC) with three touchdowns in his final season of college football. McCormick’s freshman season in 2017 was his most dynamic, but he did tie his personal single season record for touchdown receptions (2022).
McCormick served mostly as a lead blocker in multiple TE sets for the Shannon Dawson offense and was an improved blocker in ‘24. Add that to being a more effective pass catcher in the red zone and his value increased this season.
Riley Williams
Riley Williams was a blue chip prospect out of IMG Academy that had spurts but never really saw the light come all the way on. Williams caught seven balls for 115 yards (16.4 ypc) but was once again held without a TD. Williams never scored in orange and green and has since transferred to the Oregon State Beavers for the ‘25 season.
Williams may have failed to find pay dirt, he did however, catch an extremely clutch first down against Virginia Tech. Miami was trailing 34-31 late in the fourth quarter when Cam Ward broke through two sack attempts to flip Williams the ball. Williams then scampered up the sideline breaking his own tackle attempts before going out inside the five yard line.
Elija Lofton
True freshman Elija Lofton played in 13 games for Miami as mostly a special teams ace. Lofton picked up a key first down against Iowa State on a fake punt everyone but the Cyclones saw coming that kept Miami in contention in the Pop-Tarts Bowl.
In ‘24, Lofton caught nine passes for 150 yards with one touchdown. Lofton also rushed for 30 yards on two carries. The former four-star out of Bishop Gorman in Las Vegas has a bright future ahead in orange and green.
The Wrap
The future of the position room lies with Elija Lofton and his ability to play running back, fullback, and tight end like an h-back of old. He’s a Swiss army knife like Frank Wycheck from the early days of the Music City Miracle Tennessee Titans.
If the guy can throw a few passes he can truly be a one-of-a-kind player in Shannon Dawson’s offense in 2025. He’ll be joined by a bevy of new faces and will be relied upon to be a young leader for Miami next season.