Miami tight end Cam McCormick announced on Thursday that he will be making history by returning for a ninth season of college football in 2024. This decision comes after he finished the current season tied with Northern Illinois’ Kyle Pugh for the longest college football tenure in FBS history. McCormick, originally part of the 2016 recruiting class, will stand alone at the top of this list next year.
McCormick’s journey began at Oregon under the coaching of Mark Helfrich, where he spent seven years but faced challenges due to injuries in four consecutive seasons (2018-2021). He did not play at all in 2019 or 2020. Despite the setbacks, he appeared in a total of 23 games for the Ducks, equivalent to approximately two seasons’ worth of games. McCormick redshirted in 2016, and the 2020 pandemic season did not count toward NCAA eligibility.
While his traditional eligibility ended after the 2022 season, the NCAA granted McCormick two medical hardship seasons. Following this, he transferred to Miami and reunited with his former Oregon coach, Mario Cristobal. In his first year with the Hurricanes, McCormick played in all 13 games, making eight receptions for a total of 62 yards. He was recognized with the 2022 Capital One Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award for his resilience in overcoming injuries. Throughout his journey, the prospect of a ninth season lingered in the background.
Reflecting on the potential ninth year, McCormick shared with reporters before the 2023 campaign, “I think about [the ninth year] and I know I have it, but I want to go out this year and showcase my abilities and hopefully I can make it to the next level this year. If not, I know I have [the ninth year] if I need to use it.”
McCormick’s career timeline:
2016 – Redshirt
2017 – Redshirt freshman
2018 – Season ending injury
2019 – Missed entire season due to injury
2020 – COVID year of extra eligibility
2021 – Season ending injury
2022 – Senior, played in 13 games
2023 – Granted year of eligibility, transfers to Miami
2024 – Granted year of eligibility
A one-of-a-kind journey
Several of Cam McCormick’s peers from the 2016 recruiting class have already embarked on successful NFL careers, with players such as Rashan Gary of the Green Bay Packers, Jalen Hurts of the Philadelphia Eagles, and Nick Bosa of the San Francisco 49ers enjoying multiple seasons in the league.
McCormick’s collegiate journey has witnessed the transitions of coaching staffs at both the University of Miami and the University of Oregon. During his time at Oregon, he played under four different coaches: Mark Helfrich (2016), Willie Taggart (2017), Mario Cristobal (2018-21), and Dan Lanning (2022). Similarly, Miami has undergone coaching changes, with McCormick experiencing three different head coaches during his tenure. When he started at Oregon, the Hurricanes were under Mark Richt, followed by Manny Diaz (2019-2021), who was later succeeded by Cristobal.
Beyond his on-field accomplishments, McCormick’s off-field achievements are noteworthy. He is currently enrolled in Miami’s post-baccalaureate program. During his time at Oregon, he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Communication, as well as a Master’s degree in Advertising and Brand Responsibility. McCormick also completed various internships, including positions with Fidelity, the University of Oregon Police Department, and Courts for Kids. The latter opportunity took him overseas to Africa, where he served as a cultural ambassador.
McCormick’s unique journey is unlikely to be replicated anytime soon, if ever. Throughout his challenges, his love for football, being part of a team, and an unwavering passion for the game have remained constant. In a 2023 interview with 247Sports, McCormick expressed, “I love football and I love being a part of a team… The injuries make it tough, but there is going to be light on the other side.”
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