Not long after he locked his name into the NCAA transfer portal, Cade Yacamelli made a commitment to a new college football program, with little fanfare or attention.
Just the way he liked it.
The running back didn’t even post anything on social media when he verbally pledged to Miami (Ohio) on Jan. 5.
“I’m not really a big hype, look-at-me guy, you know?” the Penn-Trafford graduate said.
Yacamelli is headed to Miami after four years at Wisconsin. Instead of playing his grad season with the Badgers in the Big Ten, he tested the waters to see if a program could give him a better opportunity — more carries, more chances to display his athleticism with continuity.
“I want to go where I’m wanted,” he said previously after announcing his plans to leave Wisconsin.
Miami, which competes in the Mid-American Conference, finished 7-7 last season and fell to Western Michigan in the MAC championship game. The RedHawks then lost to Fresno State in the Arizona Bowl.
Yacamelli’s other top choices were Duke and Stanford. Both offered. He visited Duke.
Neither Pitt nor Penn State showed interest, while West Virginia offered after he’d committed to Miami.
“I chose (Miami) because I loved how I was going to be utilized in their offensive system compared to the other two,” Yacamelli said. “I want to be part of a winning team and showcase my talents.”
Miami has pro-style elements to its offense, using a variation of the spread, with the running game often opening the passing attack.
Yacamelli (6-foot, 215 pounds) earned a degree in business administration and management/human resources, which aided his decision to leave Madison. But he admitted to feeling underutilized, with no disrespect to coach Luke Fickell and his staff.
Yacamelli has rushed for 571 yards on 107 carries, averaging 5.3 yards per carry, in 32 career games.
He had a career-high 38 carries for 128 yards this season, missing three games with a concussion he suffered against Oregon on Oct. 25. He started that game for the Badgers, who finished 4-8.
He came back from an ankle injury the previous season. He tore ligaments during his first start, the ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa, Fla.
Yacamelli led Penn-Trafford to WPIAL and PIAA championships in 2021.