Miami’s Cam McCormick (’Grandpa’), nation’s only ninth-year college player, talks return

The nation’s only ninth-year college football player met the Miami Hurricanes media Tuesday.

So did the only Miami true freshman to be interviewed this spring.

Both are tight ends (among other positions for the “youngster”). But the juxtaposition of Cam McCormick, who, coincidentally, celebrated his 26th birthday Tuesday, and multitalented 19-year-old Elija Lofton at the interview lectern just minutes apart, was not lost on anyone.

“Cam is like grandpa,’’ only half-joked second-year UM tight end Riley Williams, who also spoke Tuesday. He called redshirt junior starting tight end Elijah Arroyo “the dad’’ and himself “the middle child.’’ And then there’s “little’’ Elija.

“We’re showing him the ropes,’’ Williams said of the 6-2, 240-pound true freshman Lofton, out of national power Las Vegas Bishop Gorman. “We’re expecting to get a lot of touches this year.’’

That would be beneficial for the Canes, whose tight ends during last year’s disappointing 7-6 season combined for just 17 catches for 141 yards and one touchdown.

McCormick, a 6-5, 260-pound ninth-year redshirt senior from Bend, Oregon, transferred from coach Mario Cristobal’s former Oregon in January 2023. He already has his undergraduate and masters degrees, and because of multiple debilitating injuries, coupled with the COVID year, he was eligible to return for one last football fling.

Asked about why he returned, McCormick said his relationship with his fellow players and coaches made it an easy decision. “I wanted to leave here on my terms,’’ said McCormick, who is a guru of sorts for the younger players. He said he is intent on “building the guys around me and having those guys be excited for each other’s successes, because there are going to be a lot successes in this room.’’

McCormick, whose past injuries include repeated surgeries for a broken ankle, torn Achilles tendon and torn ACL, had eight catches for 62 yards last season, with no touchdowns.

‘Definitely cool’

“I wouldn’t really say it’s weird,’’ McCormick said of returning for a ninth season. “Obviously I’ve had some unfortunate circumstances and I’ve been blessed to be able to play this long. It’s definitely cool. I don’t know if another person will ever get to that point.’’

McCormick said his role will be whatever coaches want it to be.

With the apparent increased level of talent among the tight ends, and a finally healthy Arroyo, McCormick’s playing time will likely be diminished. But his role as a mentor seems invaluable.

Williams said he’s learned “everything’’ from McCormick, including “the ability to read coverages, to tell what a defender’s going to do by his leverage on the field.’’

“He’s really smart,’’ Lofton said, adding “blocking routes, reading defenses, alignments and stuff like that’’ as valuable McCormick contributions.

‘Be great’

Lofton grew up in Las Vegas. He emulates former Miami tight end star Brevin Jordan, who also played at Bishop Gorman, is close with the freshman and now plays with the NFL’s Houston Texans. “He’s like a big brother to me,’’ said Lofton, who wear’s Jordan’s former UM jersey No. 9. “I’m always texting him, getting advice and stuff. He told me to, ‘Go be great.’ He told me to stay disciplined, stay locked in, be humble, make plays and ball out.’’

That, he is used to doing — and not just at tight end.

Besides repeatedly making exceptional plays this spring during media viewing — one-handed, acrobatic grabs are the norm — Lofton is being used as a running back and in the slot.

Last season at Gorman, Lofton had 29 catches for 594 yards, 10 touchdowns and a two-point conversions. He also had 17 carries for 76 yards, nine touchdowns and another two-point conversion. Add a thrown touchdown pass and one sack, and you’ve got one versatile young man.

When Lofton, who was compared Tuesday to San Francisco 49er star Deebo Samuel, was told Tuesday he isn’t the biggest or fastest player on the field, but is ‘’balling out,’’ he said what goes through his mind is “play fast, play physical, just ball.’’

“Height, speed, don’t mean nothing. It’s just what’s in your heart. You can do anything you want in life. I just go out there, have fun and make plays.’’

He credited his mother, Shannon Carter, who “helps companies with their financial books,’’ with helping him “be the best man I can be on and off the field.’’

“I just came here to play ball and get on the field,’’ Lofton said, so if any coach needs me to do something, I’m just going to do it full speed. It’s football. You gotta be comfortable anywhere. You gotta line up and just play ball.’’

One up

Lofton has yet to play a game as a Miami Hurricane, but he has bragging rights over several teammates, including star defensive end Rueben Bain, linebacker Wesley Bissainthe and freshman defensive lineman Armondo Blount. Perennially nationally ranked Bishop Gorman beat their former Central High twice in huge games.

Last September 2, Central’s 26-game winning streak was snapped by Bishop Gorman. Lofton scored three touchdowns that game, including the winning touchdown from 1-yard out with 24 seconds left. He also caught the 32-yard pass that set up the winning touchdown.

“That was one of my favorite high school games,’’ Lofton told the Miami Herald. “It’s a blessing to have those guys on my team now and not be against them anymore.’’