Hurricanes left tackle Jalen Rivers returning to Miami instead of entering draft
Hurricanes left tackle Jalen Rivers made the news official on Monday: He is returning to Miami for a fifth season.
The veteran lineman could have turned pro after having a strong 2023 season, but instead, he will continue to anchor the Hurricanes’ offensive line.
“I didn’t publicly make any announcement or anything, but I was planning to play in (the Pinstripe Bowl), and I do plan to come back for another year, too,” Rivers said. “I just didn’t publicly announce it. But talking with coach (Mario) Cristobal and coach (Alex) Mirabal, I see where this program is going, and it’s going in the right direction. And I’m glad to be a part of it.”
Rivers said he mulled the decision for a few weeks before ultimately deciding to return to the Hurricanes.
“I was thinking about it really for a while, a couple weeks at the end of the season,” Rivers said. “I just talked with my parents, the coaches, with other people, as well. Getting information, my feedback and what I’m projected (to go in the draft), depending on what the grade was or anything I just wanted to come back another year just to hone all my skills more and just get better. That was my biggest concern: Just am I fully ready? Do I think I could leave? Do I want to come back another year? I feel like it was best for me to come back.”
Rivers has been a versatile player on Miami’s offensive line. He was UM’s starting left guard in 2022 but swung out to left tackle this season. He started all 12 of the Hurricanes’ regular-season games. Rivers earned a 74.6 pass-blocking grade and a 69 run-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus.
The 6-foot-5, 325-pound tackle earned All-ACC second-team honors this season from the conference and the Associated Press.
With Rivers returning, the Hurricanes should have three of their five starters back for 2024: right guard Anez Cooper and right tackle Francis Mauigoa will also be back. Miami will need to replace left guard Javion Cohen and center Matt Lee, who are departing for the NFL.
“It’s huge,” offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson said. “Those guys played great this year. I’d like to keep as many of them back as we can. But it’s awesome, great kid, and obviously excited about the future with him.”
