We’ve covered the running backs, quarterbacks and WR’s (links at the bottom of the article). Now though, let’s turn our attention to the trenches! Previewing the Miami Offensive Line and Tight Ends!
Tight Ends:
The Tight End room is extremely unproven this season and of the groups we’ve covered so far, they have the most questions coming into the year. Ross comes into Oxford and is immediately going to be the favorite to log the most snaps.
Christian Ross
Ross, a Midland City, Alabama native started his career at Memphis. He transferred into Oxford this offseason and will immediately look to take over the tight end room. He’s 6’4″, 225lbs. At Memphis he had 18 receptions for 174 yards and a TD last year. He averaged 9.7 yards per catch. He did not see action in 2023 (Redshirt) or 2024.
Eric Karner
Karner is an Itasca, Illinois native who spent his first year at A&M where he did not see action. He transferred to Oxford and appeared in 2 games last year.
Trey Zvonar
Trey comes from Frankfort, Illinois. He graduated from Lincoln Way East High School where he had 25 catches for 275 yards and 3 TD’s. He redshirted last year.
Brayden Boeing
Brayden is a local product, graduating from Elder in Cincinnati. He redshirted last year, but served as the long snapper last season in the Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl. He had 1 TD his senior year and missed the majority of the season hurt.
Brendan Loftus
Brendan is a Glenview, Illinois native who redshirted last year. He had 17 catches for 318 yards and 5 TD’s.
Noam Butbul
Noam is a Calabasas, California native and graduated from Notre Dame High School. He was first team all-league his senior year. He redshirted last season.
Offensive Line:
LT
Eric Smith is a 6’6″ tackle who started all 14 games last season, earning third team all-MAC honors. He’s among the experience coming back into Oxford this season who will look to keep the rushing game a strength.
Brian Beidatsch is a highly regarded 6’4″, 285lb tackle who spent 4 years at Duquesne. He was one of the best offensive linemen in the FCS last year, earning first team all-conference his junior and senior years.
Lucas Barnes is a 6’8″, 304lb tackle who graduated from Plymouth High School where he was all-region. He redshirted last year.
Jonathan Stangl is a 6’8″ tackle from Canton, Ohio. He was first team all-Ohio in his junior year, and second-team All-Ohio in 2023. He redshirted last season.
LG
Evan Malcore is a 6’6″, 305lb guard who transferred in from Northern Illinois this offseason. He was third team all-MAC in 2024 and 2025. Evan has been a consistent starter, starting 31 games in a row and 32 out of 33 games over his 3 years. He was a 2025 team captain.
Greg Smith Jr. is a Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania native who was the Newcomer of the year on Miami’s offense in 2024. He redshirted his 2023 season and appeared in every game last year.
Devontae Armstrong is a redshirt sophomore who transferred in from Ohio State. He’s a 6’5″, 314lb guard who was highly rated coming out of high school, however, was unable to break into the elite offensive line at OSU.
C
Kris Manu started every game last season for the RedHawks in his sophomore campaign. He is a 6’1″, 300lb center who will help hold together the offensive line throughout the year.
Mitchell Butler comes back this season after playing 10 games (starting 1) for the Redhawks last year. He’s a 6’4″, 290 center.
RG
Brandon Lawhorn Moore is a 6’6″, 311lb guard who played 7 games last season. He is a redshirt senior and brings a wealth of experience to the right side of the OL.
Jacob Schorsch is 6’5″, 300lbs. He played in 13 games last season and started the final 7. He’s a RS Sophomore. The Elder grad will look to continue developing behind an experienced group.
Shaun Shahu is a 6’7″, 305lb guard from Livonia, Michigan. He comes into the program from Saginaw Valley College where he was 2nd team all-conference last year and played 15 career games.
RT
Andrew Lowry is an Ontario native who has spent 3 years in Oxford. He redshirted his freshman year and has seen an increasing year-over-year role with the RedHawks, playing in 8 games last year. He is 6’8″ and 310lbs.
Ayden Annarino is a 6’3″, 298lb tackle from Pickerington, Ohio. He’s a RS-Freshman and earned all-district and all-conference honors his senior year.