Lofton of the Hurricanes is aware that “it’s time for me to step up” now that important players from the previous season are gone.

Elija Lofton did a little bit of everything as a freshman for the Miami Hurricanes. While formally listed as a tight end, Lofton was a Swiss Army Knife of sorts for Miami. He was used in line. He split out wide as a receiver. He took snaps in the backfield.

And while Lofton will most likely be used in a more traditional sense as a tight end this season following the departures of Elijah Arroyo (NFL Draft), Cam McCormick (exhausted eligibility) and Riley Williams (transfer portal), Lofton still values his versatility and plans to use it to his full advantage. “Wherever they need me to play — running back, tight end, receiver — I’m gonna do it for them,” Lofton said. “Wherever they need me to go, I’m gonna do it and do my best at it.” He showcased that last season in spurts. Lofton caught nine passes for 150 yards and a touchdown as a freshman. He also had two carries for 30 yards and another touchdown. This season he’ll have many more chances to show how much of a playmaker he can be. Each of the Hurricanes’ top five pass catchers from last season are gone — Arroyo plus wide receivers Xavier Restrepo, Jacolby George, Isaiah Horton and Sam Brown. In fact, Lofton’s 150 receiving yards are the most by any returning UM player from an offense that led the country in yards per game (537.2), yards per play (7.57) and points per game (43.9).

Now that the older guys left, it’s time for me to step up,” Lofton said. “Before they left last year, I was a sponge. I soaked up everything they taught me. … I learned from everybody. From Arroyo, he learned how to be a better route runner. From McCormick, he learned how to be a better blocker. From Restrepo and George, he learned how to be a better receiver. From running backs Mark Fletcher and Damien Martinez, he learned how to succeed in the backfield. “Just play physical and believe in yourself,” Lofton said. “Just go out there and do you. Just ball out.

Lofton will now lead a younger tight end room that also includes true freshmen Brock Schott and Luka Gilbert, both four-star prospects, as well as transfers Alex Bauman (Tulane) and Jack Nickel (UAB). While Lofton is the big name, expect multiple players from the room to contribute throughout the season. “Lofton obviously played a significant amount last year and made plays in games,” offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson said. “His role will continue increasing, probably more so of the role Elijah played, more snaps in the game. We did add some guys that are really talented, so they’ve just got to keep repping and keep learning. That room … will be one where people will play. We’re not going to sit there and just play one guy. You saw that last year. Elijah probably could have had 65 catches if we didn’t, but it got spread around a little bit. I like that. I like spreading the ball around and getting guys touches. It also helps keeping kids right and so a lot of that matters.”