13 Miami Hurricanes players were eliminated by Virginia Tech

An hour before kick-off, the No. 9 Miami Hurricanes soccer program announced 13 players were “unavailable” for Saturday’s game against Virginia Tech. During the 2020 season, Miami adopted a policy of posting an “Unavailability Report” one hour before kick-off. Miami announced the following players would be eliminated from Virginia Tech: DT Jason Blissett, Jr., OIL John Campbell, Jr., OIL Jakai Clark, DT Jared Harrison-Hunte, FROM Jahfari Harvey, TO Larry Hodges, DT Holley’s way, LB Zach McCloud, OIL Cleveland Reed, Jr., OIL Jalen rivers, OIL Issiah Walker Jr., DB Keshawn Washington, and FROM Chantz Williams.

The offensive line will do without two starting offensive linemen in Campbell and Clark along with the Reed and Rivers reserves. Ousman Traore was out for the NC State game and is now back on the line-up. Traore started the season opener against UAB. Walker has been unavailable all season as he waits for his waiver to be played by the NCAA.

There is potential for this veteran Navaughn Donaldson, who has started over 30 games in his career, is making his season debut at Virginia Tech.

Miami will also do without an important defensive player in Harrison-Hunte, who leads the team in sacks and starts the weak linebacker Zach McCloud. Harvey is a defensive rotation ending that is also overlooked from a depth standpoint.

If Harrison-Hunte goes out, it means more snapshots for the older Jon Ford. McCloud’s absence means a bigger role for the second Sam Brooks.

The positive news with this report is the return of Brevin Jordan, the most talented player in Miami.

Jordan was kept out of three games – Pittsburgh, Virginia and NC State – and has received a total of 18 receptions for 243 yards and three touchdowns in four games that year.

With Jordan back in the fold, Miami’s attack is now at full strength for the first time since the Clemson game.

Miami missed 11 players in NC State last week and UM had no eight players in their last game against Virginia.

The following players have signed off for the 2020 season or have been eliminated for the season due to an injury:

· FROM Greg Rousseau (Optical output)

· OL Kai-Leon Herbert (Optical output)

· OL Zalon’tae Hillery (Optical output)

· QB Tate Martell (Optical output)

· DB Avantae Williams (End of season illness)

Rousseau, who projects as the first-round NFL draft pick, has pulled out of the 2020 season ahead of the fall camp due to COVID-19 concerns.

Williams is out of the season because of “chronic and ongoing medical problems” discovered this summer. Williams is currently participating in UM practices without contact.

Herbert and Hillery decided to end the 2020 season about a week before the season opener against UAB. Since they are not available this season, the Hurricanes have listed Chris Washington as an absolute newcomer on the official depth map.

Martell pulled out of the 2020 season ahead of the Louisville game.

Despite lacking 11 players, Miami (6-1, 5-1) took a 44-41 win at NC State last week.

Virginia Tech (4-3, 4-2) lost 38-35 to Liberty last week.

At the time of this writing, Miami is considered an underdog with 1.5 points according to the William Hill Sportsbook.