Miami TE returning for ninth season of college football

Field Level Media|published: Thu 18th January, 14:09 2024

Sep 14, 2023; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Hurricanes tight end Cam McCormick (84) runs with the football against Bethune Cookman Wildcats cornerback Stephen Sparrow (27) during the first quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. credits: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

Miami tight end Cam McCormick is returning for an unprecedented ninth season of college football in 2024.

"Last ride," the 6-foot-5, 260-pound super-duper senior posted Thursday on social media.

A three-star prospect in the 2016 recruiting class from Bend, Ore., McCormick began his collegiate journey at Oregon before transferring to the Hurricanes in 2023 to reunite with former Ducks head coach Mario Cristobal.

McCormick missed most of the 2018, 2019 and 2020 seasons at Oregon with a broken ankle that required multiple surgeries, then sustained a season-ending Achilles injury in early 2021.

Multiple medical redshirts have extended a career that includes just 26 catches for 231 yards and four touchdowns in 36 games. McCormick caught eight passes for 62 yards in 13 games at Miami in 2023.

"Cam is an amazing young man of service, a great athlete, hard worker, and a natural-born leader," Cristobal said in a statement Thursday. "His return is a testament to his character and the values he brings to our team. We are excited to have him back for the upcoming season."

McCormick, who earned bachelor's and master's degrees at Oregon before transferring, petitioned the NCAA for another year of eligibility in September.

Playing a ninth season in 2024 will break the record for the longest FBS tenure that he currently shares with former Northern Illinois linebacker Kyle Pugh (2015-22), according to multiple reports.

—Field Level Media