Lorenzo

Lingard

Lingard (6'0/202) likely received his waiver because of a family issue, as his father requires dialysis for his kidneys after a cyst was discovered. The former five-star tailback appeared in six games for Miami as a freshman; rushing for 136 yards and two scores before a knee injury derailed his campaign. There are a lot of mouths to feed in the Gators’ backfield, but Lingard should compete for carries immediately.

Lingard (6'0/202) reportedly entered his name into the transfer portal at the end of December. It did not take him long to settle on his next collegiate home. The former five-star back rushed for 136 yards and two touchdowns as a true freshman in 2018 before his season was cut short by a knee injury six games into the campaign. His rehab stretched through the 2019 season, as he did not take a carry this past fall. Barring an eligibility waiver, Lingard will have to sit out in 2020 with Florida, not the worst thing in the world simply in that it will allow him further time removed from the initial knee injury. UCF and Ohio State were also gunning for Lingard’s transfer, to no avail.

Lingard (6'0/202) wasn’t listed on the depth chart ahead of the Hurricanes’ Walk-On’s Independence Bowl loss to Louisiana Tech, and that was the first sign that something was up. And it looks as if the sophomore has played his final down as a Hurricane, Lingard appeared in just two games this season and did not record any stats, as he spent much of the year rehabbing from a knee injury that ended his 2018 season after six games. Incoming freshmen Don Chaney Jr. and Jaylan Knighton were already expected to figure prominently in the Hurricanes’ plans next fall, and with Lingard and DeeJay Dallas (NFL) both moving on the path to immediate carries has cleared even more.

Interesting, here, as it had been thought that Lingard could see some work on Thursday with DeeJay Dallas out for Thursday’s contest. The former five-star recruit did not receive a carry during the regular season, as he continues to rehab from a knee surgery which he underwent midway through the 2018 campaign. He is expected to take a redshirt for the 2019 season. Cam’Ron Harris figures to see the bulk of carries against Louisiana Tech come kickoff, with Robert Burns backing up Harris.

Starting RB DeeJay Dallas will not play in the bowl game, which opens the door for younger talent on the roster to get a chance. Cam’Ron Harris is first in line after Dallas, but Lingard, a former five-star recruit in 2018, follows. Lingard (6'0/202) has hardly played this season due to a slow recovery from a knee injury he suffered at the end of last season. Playing in this game will not effect Lingard’s ability to redshirt as he has only appeared in two other games, so maybe he will finally get some chances to play in this bowl game.

“Lorenzo has actually come (yesterday) and spoken to me..While he’s medically cleared. He’s not right and he knows that,” Diaz said Monday. Lingard (6'0/202) was cleared to play ahead of Miami’s Sept. 21 win over Central Michigan, but he did not play in that game and did not see any action in Saturday’s home loss to Virginia Tech either. The sophomore running back appeared in just six games last season due to a knee injury, and the hope is that the time off will get him back to full strength.

Lingard (6'0/202) has been on the comeback trail from a knee injury which cut his 2018 season short after six games. He has sat out the first three games of the current campaign while making the final push in his rehab. Lingard will join DeeJay Dallas and Cam’Ron Harris in the backfield rotation moving forward, though it would not be a surprise if the Hurricanes eased him into action given his lengthy layoff from playing ball.

Lingard (6'0/202), whose 2018 season ended after six games due to a knee injury, has missed each of Miami’s first three games and wasn’t on the sideline for Saturday’s 63-0 romp. The sophomore running back “got banged up” during Wednesday’s practice according to Diaz, which ultimately ruled him out for Bethune-Cookman. It’s also worth noting that Diaz said that this injury is not related to the knee issue that sidelined Lingard for the second half of last season. Once healthy, Lingard gives Miami another option in the backfield behind starter DeeJay Dallas and Cam’Ron Harris.

With Miami HC Manny Diaz saying after Saturday’s win over Bethune-Cookman that he expects Lingard (6'0/202) to be available for Saturday’s game vs. Central Michigan, the sophomore absence is a bit concerning. That being said, the Hurricanes can be patient with Lingard given the presence of starter DeeJay Dallas and backup Cam’Ron Harris. if Lingard is unable to play Saturday, the Hurricanes have an open week before they host Virginia Tech October 5.

Lingard (6'0/202), who missed the final six games of the 2018 season due to a knee injury, did not appear in either of Miami’s first two games. The prevailing thought was that the sophomore would have the opportunity to shake off some rust this week with the Hurricanes facing an FCS opponent, but not only is Lingard not in uniform he isn’t even on the Miami sideline. Keep an eye on his story, as the speedy running back was a five-star recruit out of high school.