OXFORD, Ohio—D'Shawntae Jones is used to scoring touchdowns for Miami Football.
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Last year, the bruising 5-10, 248-pound running back found the end zone seven times as a redshirt freshman to lead the Red and White in rushing scores.
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And while more of the same is expected this fall (as Jones' multiple touchdown runs at practice today illustrated), it might look just a little bit different.
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A quick glance at the Miami roster shows that not only is Jones wearing a new jersey number in 2026 (No. 9 instead of No. 14), but the number listed for his weight has changed significantly as well. The Cleveland native has reshaped his body and is now listed at 225 pounds.
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"He took the challenge this offseason," said running backs coach Chris Hudson. "He's still got that power, but he's way more explosive than he was last year. So that's going to be the next thing for him – to be able to 'hit his head on the goalpost' from 30 yards out, not five."
"I'm feeling good – way faster than I was last year, and way stronger and more powerful," Jones agreed.
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"I just want to be the best person I can be for the team, playing my role and being a leader. I'm the only returning guy in the room, so just being a leader, helping people out with different things, and being available for any position on the field on offense...
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"I've still got the same stuff," he smiled as he recalled his dash to the end zone in the final team period of practice today. "And I can get even better."
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Miami is scheduled to practice again on Wednesday morning, August 19 in Oxford.
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Nelson RUN, RODNEY, RUN: The RedHawks' ground game will also benefit from the addition of Rodney Nelson, a transfer from Monmouth who piled up 1,802 yards and 18 touchdowns on the ground a season ago at the FCS level, including three 200-yard games. Nelson was named the CAA Offensive Player of the Year in 2025 for his efforts.
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"He brings versatility...and a speed aspect that we did not have last year," Hudson said. "He has really good feel in the run game: Between the tackles, he's really good, and outside the tackles, he's really good. A good all-around kind of running back, and then he can help us in the pass game as well."
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Nelson said Miami's culture and 'Cradle of Coaches' reputation were significant draws for him as he looked for his next stop: "Just the winning culture and championship mindset," he explained.
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"I'm trying to bring my talents here, get put to use the right way, be whatever I can be for the team, and hopefully help them win a championship."
SCOREBOARD-WATCHING: While this may come as no surprise to frequent RedHawk Insider readers, Miami may need to find a way to extend the height on its kicking net behind the uprights with Kellan McLaughlin on duty. McLaughlin drilled back-to-back extra points so far over the net in the south end zone that both kicks clanged off the scoreboard in nearly the same spot.
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Huggins PLAY(S) OF THE DAY: In the first team period of the day, Scoop Smith got open for a 70-yard touchdown pass from Thomas Gotkowski, coming all the way across the field to make the catch near the left sideline and score. Credit to the offensive line blocking up front for buying the time needed for the play to develop. Later in practice, it was David McComb's turn to throw a long touchdown pass, as he hit Maleek Huggins on a deep route down the right sideline for a score.
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 BAI, BAI, BAI: While the offense had a number of big plays this morning, the defense had a highlight too, forcing a turnover during one of the team periods. Redshirt junior Bai Jobe came out of the pile with the ball for a fumble recovery.
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 ABCs: Cade Yacamelli, redshirt senior running back, jersey no. 20 Get to know a player on the 2026 Miami Football team in their own words.
Attributes and Adjectives: What are three words that describe you as a player or a person?
"I'd say tough, physical, and relentless."
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YacamelliBackground Bio: What brought you to Miami? How did you get here?
"I played [against Miami] last year [for Wisconsin]. That was one of my better games of the year. As soon as I hit the portal, Martin knew of me from that game. He called me up when the portal opened. Based off what he told me, and he saw my vision - it was kind of a no-brainer."
 Compare/Contrast: Who do you try and model your game after? "I guess you could say a handful of guys, because I do a mixture of running back, fullback, tight end. I like to think maybe Kyle Juszczyk a little bit –
 a guy like that. Maybe hard runners too, downhill physical runners as well." And what sets you apart from other people at your position?
"I'd say just my versatility. I feel like I'm kind of like the queen on the chessboard. I can run routes. I can catch the ball. I can block. I can run the football. I can do anything but play quarterback!"
 Drive and Desire: Why do you play the game? What drives you to excel?
"I think about this sport every single day, almost too much to where it's unhealthy probably! So I'd say that's probably my why - I'm just so obsessed with it. To the point where it just keeps me up at night, but at the same time, it fuels me for the rest of the day."
 External Evaluation: Scouting report from a Miami coach or teammate.
"Cade's got everything. He's so versatile. He can pass block. He's fast. He's strong. He can catch out of the backfield. He's very smart, too." -D'Shawntae Jones
 Fun Facts: Share one or two interesting things about you that the average fan (or maybe even people on your team) might not know.
"I guess it's kind of gross, but on Easter, I love to eat hard-boiled eggs with peanut butter. I know that's weird, but it's kind of my weird snack that I really enjoy. (How did that start?!?) I think my dad was making eggs one morning when I was a little kid, and I just really liked peanut butter. I was like, 'Why not? I love it!'"
 Golf Group: If you could assemble your dream foursome for a day at the golf course (anyone in the world past or present), who would you choose and why?
"Honestly, I'm gonna pick the summer crew, the guys that have been here: Evan Malcore, David McComb, and Braylon Isom."
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 EYEBALL EMOJI:Damarion Witten drew oohs and aahs from the offensive sideline when he took a quick pass from Caleb Heavner near the line of scrimmage, lowered his shoulder, and ran through a defender to gain a chunk of extra yards.
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Hudson's drill forces Miami RBs to find the 'hole' and reactINSIDE SLANT: During one individual drill this morning, Hudson's group of running backs took turns practicing footwork, dancing forward and backward around three pads on the ground before bursting forward to hit the 'hole.' In this case, the hole was a red chute in front of them that Hudson would quickly relocate at the last second as each player made his final cut. The players not only had to concentrate on keeping their pads low to dash underneath the top of the chute, but also focus on ball security by holding a tennis ball inside their arm.Â
"We use the tennis ball under the armpit to keep the ball high and tight so they have to squeeze a little bit," Hudson explained. "So when they're moving and making lateral and vertical movements and cuts, the ball does not separate from their body.
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"And then I'm moving the chute because when we play football, as running backs know, holes move, right? So you've got to react to it...they need to react to where the hole's going to be and not necessarily where it is, because it might not be exactly there in the game."
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 KICKOFF WITH THE COMMUNITY: Mark your calendars for this Saturday, Aug. 22 at 10 a.m. and check out Miami Football's annual 'Kickoff With the Community' event at Yager Stadium. The event is free and open to the public, with practice scheduled to start at approximately 11:10 a.m. More details are available here.
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 For more inside coverage of Miami Athletics, bookmark RedHawk Insider. Miss a fall camp report? Catch up with our daily MiamiRedHawks.com notebooks: Aug. 13 | Aug. 12 |  Aug. 11 | Aug. 8 | Aug. 6 | Aug. 5
 Season tickets and single-game tickets for the 2026 Miami Football season are on sale now! Call (513) 529-4295 for more information.
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