Cristobal assesses team progress after Saturday scrimmage

CanesInSight News

Apr 8, 2023 3 min read

Miami Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal was pleased with the team's overall progress during their Saturday morning scrimmage in Coral Gables. He highlighted some standout performances and shared insights on both defensive and offensive updates.

"Some big plays, explosive plays on both sides of the ball," Cristobal said. "Kam Kinchens continues to excel. He's not satisfied at all. The banner got hung up two days ago, and it's like he's performing like it was never there, and that's awesome to see. We're seeing that from a lot of veteran guys as well but overall, very solid progress from our entire football team, and we still have three days of practice."

On the defensive front, Cristobal acknowledged that the team had been dealing with injuries during spring ball but was impressed with the players' performances in the scrimmage. "A guy like Chantz Williams showed up big, Nyjalik Kelly and Rueben Bain showed up big, Jake Lichtenstein, Thomas Gore showed up, Ahmad Moten and had some really good moments," he noted. "Our linebackers played at a high level they all did today. And then in the secondary on the back end, they did a great job being aggressive, getting hands on receivers and they made it difficult for the offense to get the ball out and they put them in difficult down and distance situations."

Offensively, Cristobal mentioned a few standout players, including Jacurri Brown, Isaiah Horton, Xavier Restrepo, and Don Chaney. However, he did point out some inconsistencies, especially with the wide receivers. "As a wide receiver group, the receivers were inconsistent today outside, we had some opportunities and we did not come up with them. Later in the scrimmage, we did, but early on we couldn't get the thing going," Cristobal explained.

Regarding second-year quarterback Jacurri Brown, Cristobal commented on his potential and progress. "Well, this suits his style a little bit more because it's just from a progression standpoint, from a learning standpoint, and then having a quarterback coach in the room – it just it all makes sense and he has progressed. Guy's won a lot of ball games. He's played in a lot of big games, and he knows how to play football. All we've got to do is make sure that him and all the quarterbacks are systematic that they're playing within the system, but without being a robot."

Cristobal also touched on the state of the ‘Canes roster, indicating that Miami will be active in the transfer portal in the coming weeks. "We have to do what it requires. That's always been the blueprint to success at the stops that we have had; you've got to build and develop to a point where you have legitimate winning and championship depth at every position. We have certainly gained a lot of ground towards that we still have to gain more so at every position."

Miami's coach did express satisfaction with the offensive line's development. "We have certainly poured a lot into the offensive line body types and mentality, which was a monstrously glaring issue upon arrival and through the season, and it's something that we feel that we're getting a lot of ground towards getting better."

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Cribby

Apr 8, 2023

mcnaire2004 said:
So WRs are struggling. So just X and Young again. I honestly don't expect any other receiver to do anything this year outside of a few low competition games.

I wouldn’t say struggling , it’s consistency

Damiencane86

Apr 8, 2023

Cribby said:
We need two wr’s from the portal

How we looking for that D2 receiver ?

Canesq

Apr 8, 2023

Cribby said:
I wouldn’t say struggling , it’s consistency

Innis would’ve walked in as a starter but chose to ride the bench at OSU SMH.

Home Slice

Apr 8, 2023

mcnaire2004 said:
So WRs are struggling. So just X and Young again. I honestly don't expect any other receiver to do anything this year outside of a few low competition games.

Gotta hope some of these young bucks are ready this fall, and somehow we strike gold in the portal

RVACane

Apr 8, 2023

Home Slice said:
Straight out of his post practice interview @Hoyacane1620 posted. Thanks

No one’s faster than Hoya News Network.

RVACane

Apr 8, 2023

Cribby said:
We need two wr’s from the portal

I’m guessing we’ll need a lot of $ for that

Cribby

Apr 8, 2023

Damiencane86 said:
How we looking for that D2 receiver ?

UM and Pit is last I heard.

Home Slice

Apr 8, 2023

RVACane said:
No one’s faster than Hoya News Network.

Truth

Cribby

Apr 8, 2023

RVACane said:
I’m guessing we’ll need a lot of $ for that

I wouldn’t think so , especially with the D2 kid

RVACane

Apr 8, 2023

Cribby said:
I wouldn’t think so , especially with the D2 kid

No Harrell then?

Cribby

Apr 8, 2023

RVACane said:
No Harrell then?

I wouldn’t say no yet. He’s an option but the ankle has questions.

freeman84

Apr 8, 2023

Any good news on a CB @Cribby

da truth

Apr 8, 2023

Cribby said:
We need two wr 1s from the portal

FIFY

Empirical Cane

Apr 8, 2023

Cribby said:
Adding 5-6 guys in the portal will separate us being a 5-6 win team and 8-9 win team. Depth is scary and a few positions need a starter added. Imo we’ll bevery aggressive after spring.

are there 5-6 quality takes to be had??

are you hearing of anyone departing now that spring is wrapping up??

Apr 8, 2023

Cribby said:
I wouldn’t say no yet. He’s an option but the ankle has questions.

Can we expect some big names to start entering the portal in the next few weeks?

Mackmiller974

Apr 8, 2023

So as it stands this is what a possible starting unit could look like before spring

QB Tyler Van Dyke
RB Don Chaney
WR Colbie Young
WR Jacolby George
WR Xavier Restrepo
TE Cam McCormick
LT Jalen Rivers
LG Javion Cohen
C Matt Lee
RG Anez Cooper
RT Francis Mauigoa
Swing Zion Nelson

Edge Nyjalik Kelly
DT Leonard Taylor
DT Jared Harrison Hunte
Edge Akheem Mesidor
Swing Jahfari Harvey
LB Fransisco Mauigoa
LB Wesley Bissainthe
CB Davonte Brown
CB Daryl Porter Jr
Nickel Teccory Couch
FS Kam Kinchens
SS James Williams

Where do we need to make upgrades at?

Last edited: Apr 8, 2023

Scorpioncane

Apr 8, 2023

CanesInSight News said:
Miami Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal was pleased with the team's overall progress during their Saturday morning scrimmage in Coral Gables. He highlighted some standout performances and shared insights on both defensive and offensive updates.

"Some big plays, explosive plays on both sides of the ball," Cristobal said. "Kam Kinchens continues to excel. He's not satisfied at all. The banner got hung up two days ago, and it's like he's performing like it was never there, and that's awesome to see. We're seeing that from a lot of veteran guys as well but overall, very solid progress from our entire football team, and we still have three days of practice."

On the defensive front, Cristobal acknowledged that the team had been dealing with injuries during spring ball but was impressed with the players' performances in the scrimmage. "A guy like Chantz Williams showed up big, Nyjalik Kelly and Rueben Bain showed up big, Jake Lichtenstein, Thomas Gore showed up, Ahmad Moten and had some really good moments," he noted. "Our linebackers played at a high level they all did today. And then in the secondary on the back end, they did a great job being aggressive, getting hands on receivers and they made it difficult for the offense to get the ball out and they put them in difficult down and distance situations."

Offensively, Cristobal mentioned a few standout players, including Jacurri Brown, Isaiah Horton, Xavier Restrepo, and Don Chaney. However, he did point out some inconsistencies, especially with the wide receivers. "As a wide receiver group, the receivers were inconsistent today outside, we had some opportunities and we did not come up with them. Later in the scrimmage, we did, but early on we couldn't get the thing going," Cristobal explained.

Regarding second-year quarterback Jacurri Brown, Cristobal commented on his potential and progress. "Well, this suits his style a little bit more because it's just from a progression standpoint, from a learning standpoint, and then having a quarterback coach in the room – it just it all makes sense and he has progressed. Guy's won a lot of ball games. He's played in a lot of big games, and he knows how to play football. All we've got to do is make sure that him and all the quarterbacks are systematic that they're playing within the system, but without being a robot."

Cristobal also touched on the state of the Canes roster, indicating that Miami will be active in the transfer portal in the coming weeks. "We have to do what it requires. That's always been the blueprint to success at the stops that we have had; you've got to build and develop to a point where you have legitimate winning and championship depth at every position. We have certainly gained a lot of ground towards that we still have to gain more so at every position."

Miami's coach did express satisfaction with the offensive line's development. "We have certainly poured a lot into the offensive line body types and mentality, which was a monstrously glaring issue upon arrival and through the season, and it's something that we feel that we're getting a lot of ground towards getting better."

Tank Grill said:
So as it stands this is what a possible starting unit could look like before spring

QB Tyler Van Dyke
RB Don Chaney
WR Colbie Young
WR Jacolby George
WR Xavier Restrepo
TE Cam McCormick
LT Jalen Rivers
LG Javion Cohen
C Matt Lee
RG Anez Cooper
RT Francis Mauigoa
Swing Zion Nelson

Edge Nyjalik Kelly
DT Leonard Taylor
DT Jared Harrison Hunte
Edge Akheem Mesidor
Swing Jahfari Harvey
LB Fransisco Mauigoa
LB Wesley Bissainthe
CB Davonte Brown
CB Daryl Porter Jr
Nickel Teccory Couch
FS Kam Kinchens
SS James Williams

Where do we need to make upgrades at?

Maybe cornerback but only 1

grover

Apr 8, 2023

Cribby said:
We need two wr’s from the portal

It has been obvious for over a year. A true #1 and a speed demon who can blow the top off the coverage to force guys outside the box and lengthen the seams.

Get those two kids (do Ruiz and Co have those deep pockets?) and then we’re talking business with the O.

p.s. Still think we need an OT or two, as well.

grover

Apr 8, 2023

Home Slice said:
I've been underneath a rock. What's Ladson doing?

What he did at Clemson.

Tru C

Apr 8, 2023

The LAST position I would think Miami would struggle is receiver. Perhaps it is ignorance but in Florida, I feel like all the kids are born ready to play receiver and then slowly get molded into another position depending on how much they eat lol.....In other words, you are in MIAMI FLORIDA. Why the F can't we get some dogs out there!? lol

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Cristobal assesses team progress after Saturday scrimmage

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