The giant, the 5-star, the quarterback and more. Miami coach dishes on them all

One of the friendliest, most energetic and respected college football assistants gifted the local media Tuesday with his fast-talking perspective on the University of Miami’s bodyguards for new star quarterback Cam Ward.

As expected and has been the case at Miami for years, O-line coach Alex Mirabal (also likely the smallest O-line coach at 5-4) explained that players are cross-training to be competent at all five positions — despite going through an uncharacteristic 2023 season using the same five starters all 12 games.

Mirabal, the lone position coach who came with head coach Mario Cristobal from Oregon to his home of Miami, said right now he has “maybe eight or nine’’ linemen whom the Canes can “trust to play in a game against another opponent.”

“When guys show up every game and play,’’ Mirabal said of his veterans from last season, including left tackle Jalen Rivers, right guard Anez Cooper and freshman All-American right tackle Francis Mauigoa, “it’s not because they’re lucky, it’s because they’re tough. Trust me, all five of those guys at some point of the season were injured, were hurt, were beat up.’’

Former center Matt Lee is being replaced by ambidextrous Indiana transfer Zach Carpenter. Left guard Javion Cohen is being replaced, for now, by a rotating cast that includes former five-star freshman Samson Okunlola, now a redshirt freshman freshly recovered from a meniscus knee injury; Matthew McCoy (now playing right tackle while sophomore Mauigoa recovers from double-shoulder surgery); and Cristobal’s nephew Lou Cristobal.

Who’s stepping up? According to Mirabal, 6-4, 338-pound junior Cooper and 6-5, 330-pound fifth-year redshirt junior Rivers.

Mirabal praised “the transformation” of Cooper “since he came on campus three years ago with his hair down over his eyes. He wasn’t confident speaking to people’’ and now is “a leader.”

“He’s transformed his physique from almost a 400-pound man to a 338-pound man. His confidence, his leadership, and with Javo and Matt going to the next level, other guys get to grow.

“Sometimes it’s hard to grow in the shade. When you cut the shrubbery out, here comes the sun, and other guys can grow.”

Mirabal said NFL prospect Rivers is the “steady’’ lineman — “the quiet guy, the one no one ever talks about, the one everybody wants to move to different positions. But he’s always there.’’ That is, unless Rivers practices at another position to help “the other guys grow.’’

On Tuesday, Rivers “slid into left guard’’ to give 6-8, 330-pound Holmes Community College transfer Markel Bell a chance to practice at tackle.

Big Bell

Asked about Bell, who draws eyes because of his massiveness, Mirabal said: “Big Bell. He’s really, really big; He’s really, really good; and he’s going to be really, really good for the Canes.”

Bell is “almost 6-9,’’ Mirabal said, noting that he previously played basketball. “But he can bend his knees and move his feet. The “best thing” about Bell, the coach said, “is he’s tough and a great listener. He’s gotten tremendously better. He’s got good feet, great length. It’s not that he’s tall, it’s that he’s got really long arms. He’s another one of those kids, like Samson, who is on the verge of earning our program’s trust to play.”

Okunlola, listed as 6-6, 330 pounds and out of Thayer Academy in Brockton, Massachusetts, was one of the nation’s most coveted recruits, along with Mauigoa, last season.

He played in three games before getting hurt, and the desire to get healthy “drove him,’’ Mirabal said. “Best guy I’ve ever been around in my 18 years of college [in his] rehabilitation. He’s like a kid at Christmas because he’s able to play football again. Today he took reps at left tackle, left guard and right tackle.’’

Is Okunlola close to being one of the starting five?

“He’s close to being one of the guys we trust.

More, from Mirabal:

▪ On Washington State quarterback transfer Cam Ward, considered one of the biggest portal gets for any team: “Phenomenal. Our program today, we are more physical, we’re tougher and we have a chip on our shoulders because that’s who our quarterback is. Our quarterback is tough, he’s physical and he has a chip on his shoulder and the rest of the program feeds off it.”

Mirabal said Ward taking out all 18 offensive linemen to an all-you-can-eat steak dinner “won those jokers.’’

“They love Cam, the defense loves Cam. I love him because I love what he’s about. He’s an honorary O-lineman. He’s got that edge to him and because of that those guys are going to fight for him. He doesn’t get flustered. He’s been under the fire. He’s been fantastic.”

▪ On whether coaches will use this season as a “developmental year’’ for Bell.

“We don’t believe in developmental years here, because there’s never a guarantee. We’re going to win, and it’s important for us to win now. There’s no, ‘Save him for a year, two years.’ Football has its own plan. He might have to play tomorrow.

“I’m hired to make sure that if Markell Bell has to play, that first game he’s ready to go.... We’re going to push the envelope with him. Every year is not going to be like last year, where those five can ride for 12 games. we’ve got to make sure those guys are ready.”