Offseason Additions: Jake Garcia (2021 signee)
Offseason Departures: N’Kosi Perry (transferred), Tate Martell (transferred)
After three straight seasons of underwhelming QB play, D’Eriq King stepped right in as a grad transfer last season and changed the way business was done in the QB room for Miami. In 11 games, the former Houston Cougar racked up 27 total TD’s (23 passing, 4 rushing), 2,686 passing yards, 538 rushing yards, on 64.1% completions with just 5 INT’s in 2020. The dynamic performance put King squarely in the Heisman conversation for much of the 2020 season, while also making him both a Maxwell and Davey O’Brien Award semifinalist. National recognition for his on-field accomplishments aside, King’s greatest impact may have come off the field as a guy that took a no nonsense approach to game prep and kept his teammates focused each and every week.
This spring, though, the focus shifts from King to the battle behind him, as King will sit out camp while recovering from an ACL injury suffered in Miami’s final game of 2020, although he is expected to be back by fall camp. With experienced backup N’Kosi Perry in the transfer portal, the Hurricanes’ two returnees at QB have just 4 career passing attempts between them. Things were complicated even more today when head coach Manny Diaz announced that true freshman early enrollee Jake Garcia would be limited to start spring due to an injury suffered as a senior in his high school season.
Garcia was expected to mount a challenge to redshirt freshman Tyler Van Dyke, who has earned a ton of buzz behind the scenes as Miami’s potential “Quarterback of the Future”. Van Dyke enrolled early last spring and saw some number 2 reps throughout 2020, displaying a strong cannon and quick feet to go along with a well-built, 6’4”, college-ready frame. With a full year of experience in OC Rhett Lashlee’s system and to adjust to the speed of the college level, many around the program feel it will be that Van Dyke that will stake a strong claim to the backup job this spring.
While some of the short-term hype around Garcia was dampened with today’s injury news, his long-term prospects are some of the brightest we’ve seen at UM in quite some time. Considered a top 5 QB in the country and top 50 overall national recruit, Garcia made his bones in high school by being an extremely accurate passer (66.4% career completions). Garcia profiles as a very effortless thrower who has a natural and fluid release, can complete passes on the move with ease, and has demonstrated in the past that he has the skill to make most any throw on a route tree. While he doesn’t have the same arm strength or experience as Van Dyke, Garcia has shown the ability and confidence to immediately excel when thrown into the fire, as proven by leading his Grayson High team to a state title as a senior after transferring in mid-season; he will look to do much of the same early on at UM by challenging Van Dyke right off the bat, assuming he can quickly return to full health.
With all the attention on Van Dyke and Garcia, redshirt sophomore Peyton Matocha comes in as the veteran of the three-man group, and he will attempt to work his way into the mix this spring as well. This spring will be a big one for Matocha, as getting passed up by Garcia could officially relegate him to career backup at UM or to the portal.
Bottom Line
While the Hurricanes wait for King to heal up, this spring will be an amazing opportunity to get their young QB’s some extended work with the first team and get a better idea of what they have waiting in the wings for the future. Who will prove they can properly run Lashlee's offense to a tee? Van Dyke was already the favorite to end camp as the “starter”, and today’s Garcia injury news gives him an even bigger boost out of the gate. Until Garcia can progress beyond 7-on-7 work, expect reps with the ones to be split somewhat evenly between Van Dyke and Matocha to begin camp, with Van Dyke garnering more and more work as spring goes along. Still, you can’t count out Garcia and his upside as a serious threat to Van Dyke for the “QB of the Future” title once he’s fully healthy.
Offseason Departures: N’Kosi Perry (transferred), Tate Martell (transferred)
After three straight seasons of underwhelming QB play, D’Eriq King stepped right in as a grad transfer last season and changed the way business was done in the QB room for Miami. In 11 games, the former Houston Cougar racked up 27 total TD’s (23 passing, 4 rushing), 2,686 passing yards, 538 rushing yards, on 64.1% completions with just 5 INT’s in 2020. The dynamic performance put King squarely in the Heisman conversation for much of the 2020 season, while also making him both a Maxwell and Davey O’Brien Award semifinalist. National recognition for his on-field accomplishments aside, King’s greatest impact may have come off the field as a guy that took a no nonsense approach to game prep and kept his teammates focused each and every week.
This spring, though, the focus shifts from King to the battle behind him, as King will sit out camp while recovering from an ACL injury suffered in Miami’s final game of 2020, although he is expected to be back by fall camp. With experienced backup N’Kosi Perry in the transfer portal, the Hurricanes’ two returnees at QB have just 4 career passing attempts between them. Things were complicated even more today when head coach Manny Diaz announced that true freshman early enrollee Jake Garcia would be limited to start spring due to an injury suffered as a senior in his high school season.
Garcia was expected to mount a challenge to redshirt freshman Tyler Van Dyke, who has earned a ton of buzz behind the scenes as Miami’s potential “Quarterback of the Future”. Van Dyke enrolled early last spring and saw some number 2 reps throughout 2020, displaying a strong cannon and quick feet to go along with a well-built, 6’4”, college-ready frame. With a full year of experience in OC Rhett Lashlee’s system and to adjust to the speed of the college level, many around the program feel it will be that Van Dyke that will stake a strong claim to the backup job this spring.
While some of the short-term hype around Garcia was dampened with today’s injury news, his long-term prospects are some of the brightest we’ve seen at UM in quite some time. Considered a top 5 QB in the country and top 50 overall national recruit, Garcia made his bones in high school by being an extremely accurate passer (66.4% career completions). Garcia profiles as a very effortless thrower who has a natural and fluid release, can complete passes on the move with ease, and has demonstrated in the past that he has the skill to make most any throw on a route tree. While he doesn’t have the same arm strength or experience as Van Dyke, Garcia has shown the ability and confidence to immediately excel when thrown into the fire, as proven by leading his Grayson High team to a state title as a senior after transferring in mid-season; he will look to do much of the same early on at UM by challenging Van Dyke right off the bat, assuming he can quickly return to full health.
With all the attention on Van Dyke and Garcia, redshirt sophomore Peyton Matocha comes in as the veteran of the three-man group, and he will attempt to work his way into the mix this spring as well. This spring will be a big one for Matocha, as getting passed up by Garcia could officially relegate him to career backup at UM or to the portal.
Bottom Line
While the Hurricanes wait for King to heal up, this spring will be an amazing opportunity to get their young QB’s some extended work with the first team and get a better idea of what they have waiting in the wings for the future. Who will prove they can properly run Lashlee's offense to a tee? Van Dyke was already the favorite to end camp as the “starter”, and today’s Garcia injury news gives him an even bigger boost out of the gate. Until Garcia can progress beyond 7-on-7 work, expect reps with the ones to be split somewhat evenly between Van Dyke and Matocha to begin camp, with Van Dyke garnering more and more work as spring goes along. Still, you can’t count out Garcia and his upside as a serious threat to Van Dyke for the “QB of the Future” title once he’s fully healthy.
