Mario Cristobal Reveals RB Mark Fletcher’s Status Before Week One Matchup With Florida

Running back Mark Fletcher has been ahead of schedule with his recovery since injuring his foot in the Pinstripe Bowl last December.

Fletcher emerged during the 2023 season as Miami’s top running back. As a true freshman, he rushed for 512 yards and 5 touchdowns on 5 yards per carry. Fletcher and transfer Damien Martinez are a pair of powerful tailbacks. Fletcher stats 6-2, 225 lbs while Martinez is listed at 6-0 and 235. Martinez rushed for 1,185 yards and 9 touchdowns on 6.1 yards per carry last year at Oregon State. Together at The U, they could provide Miami with one of the top tailback duos in America.

The lingering offseason questions about Fletcher’s health were answered on Monday morning.

Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal appeared on The Joe Rose Show on 560 WQAM. When asked about Fletcher’s recovery, Cristobal confidently stated that the sophomore running back is, “all the way back and ready to play.”

Fletcher has been a full participant throughout fall training camp after missing spring football. Miami has a deep running back room that will also feature redshirt sophomore Ajay Allen, redshirt freshman Chris Johnson Jr, and true freshmen Jordan Lyle and Chris Wheatley-Humphrey. Cristobal told Rose that all of Miami’s backs have been doing well in pass protection. Being able to block competently is non-negotiable when it comes to freshman running backs being able to get on the field early.

Ahead of Miami’s opener with the Gators, Cristobal said he is beyond excited to watch the trenches up front. “It’s going to be a muddy, bloody battle,” he said.

Rose asked Cristobal if he’s heard the concerns from the media about Miami’s defensive backfield. Outside of senior cornerback Daryl Porter Jr and senior safety Mishael Powell, the group is relatively young and inexperienced. Sophomore cornerback Damari Brown, junior Jadais Richard, redshirt freshman Robert Stafford and redshirt sophomore safeties Markeith Williams and Jaden Harris are likely to increase their roles this year. Cristobal responded by saying, “I hope the media keeps writing (negative stuf) and gets our guys juiced up.”