After taking the bye week to evaluate more of his starting QB’s progress throughout the season, OC/QB coach Dan Enos has come away with the impression that while Jarren Williams has mastered some of the simpler concepts within the offense, there’s still another level he can reach to become an advanced student of the game.
“We’ve discussed it with him - some of our plays within our offense there’s multiple options, RPO stuff in particular, and he’s gotten through phase 1,” Enos said. “We haven’t gotten to phase 2 or 3 yet, there were a couple of opportunities last (game) that we missed, didn’t make the right decision… For a young player, those are reps, that’s experience. We can get to phase 2, phase 3. There are still some times he’s very sure what he’ll do on the front side of the concept, but we may have an alert throw on the other side. Sometimes we don’t confirm, miss it.
“There’s some next level stuff where he can have the entire offense working for him… but I do think one of the biggest improvements he’s made is his drops, pocket posture, bringing his hips through on his throws. And we were commenting just this morning watching him function in the pocket is like night and day from where we were in the spring and even during camp. He’s making a lot of strides. It’s exciting.”
In the past 2 contests, N’Kosi Perry has only seen one drive of action after starting the previous 3 games; is there ever any talk of him wanting to transfer?
“I don’t mention or talk to these guys right now anything about that,” Enos said. “They’re here and I’m going to coach them, assume they’re going to be here for the long-term. I think N’Kosi in particular has handled himself as a true professional this year. He didn’t win the job, continued to come to work every day, got his opportunity, helped us win some games, played injured, showed toughness, courage.
“After the season there’ll have to be conversations had with the team - we hope they all decide to stay because I think they all have value, can help us win.”
Enos also mentioned Mike Harley as someone he’s seen improvement from in 2019; the junior has already set career marks in receptions (34), yards (447), and TD’s (3) with three games still left to play.
“He wasn’t consistent with hand placement (earlier this year),” Enos said of Harley. “He’s been much more consistent catching the ball and his athleticism is starting to show.”
The offensive line has made huge strides throughout the season after starting out giving up 10 sacks to UF in the opener; by comparison, UM has only given up 8 total sacks in their past 4 games alone.
“It will be a position of strength in the future,” Enos said of the OL. “Butch (Barry) has really done a tremendous job, that group as a whole has bought into what he’s doing. They’re understanding the run schemes, the protections… They’re a talented group, really are. As I look at them across the board, all five, and throw in John Campbell and Kai (Herbert), they are long, have good feet, good balance, they can run, they can bend.”
Both Campbell and Herbert have been guys off the bench that Miami has trusted enough to give backup reps to, and are players that Enos feels comfortable starting if the situation called for it.
On Campbell: “John is very versatile, gets reps every day at tackle and guard for us. He can play either tackle or guard, really like his development and how he’s continuing to play.”
On Herbert: “Kai is improving, doing a really good job, will continue to develop… Kai is a guy we think has a very bright future.”
Enos mentioned he installed a package for QB Tate Martell for Miami’s last game vs. Louisville, but he did not think it was necessary showing on tape with the game getting so out of hand early on.
"He's had a little bit of a roller coaster situation about positions, the last couple of weeks has practiced really hard," Enos said. "We'll always have some things in there we can do with him. It'll be how the flow of the game goes."
**DC Blake Baker took some time to discuss issues regarding the personnel on his unit, beginning with DE Scott Patchan’s potential 6th year of eligibility.
“We’d love to have him back,” Baker said of Patchan. “He’s a big, strong guy, does a great job against the run, a nice array of pass rush moves.”
Could Patchan see more time at DT when looking to next season?
“He’ll probably stay on the outside, maybe third down you can put him inside,” Baker said.
DT Jon Ford got nicked up in the Louisville game, but Baker showed no concern about his availability for this week vs. FIU.
“He got a little bit banged up, nothing too serious,” Baker said of Ford.
LB Patrick Joyner saw his first action of the season in the 4th quarter of the Louisville game coming off a leg injury suffered over the offseason.
“I thought all things considered he did a pretty good job out there,” Baker said of Joyner. “Coming off an injury, really all spring had worked mostly at defensive end for us… I thought he did a pretty good job in there.”
DE Gregory Rousseau is pushing for the nation’s lead in sacks, as he is currently 2 off the lead with 12 sacks, but Baker said it’s not something the team generally speaks about.
“It’s not been discussed, I think Greg wants it that way,” Baker said. “You put added pressure - the more you talk about it, they don’t come. We don’t bring it up to him. And he’s such a humble, hard-working guy, it’s not going to change that approach.
“That’s a realistic goal to set for himself. That’s a goal he should have for himself. But from a game plan standpoint - we try to find mismatches with our defensive line vs. their protection, try to put them in the most favorable positions every Saturday. We’ll continue to do that.”
CB Al Blades essentially began the season as Miami’s #3 corner backing up DJ Ivey, but has risen into the starting lineup the past 3 weeks thanks in part to his work ethic according to Baker.
“The number one most impressive trait is his persistence,” Baker said of Blades. “He’s battled from last spring to this fall. He works hard. He wants to be great, is becoming a much more physical player, is really improving in every aspect of his game. The most impressive is the mental side. It’s hard to be a corner.”
“We’ve discussed it with him - some of our plays within our offense there’s multiple options, RPO stuff in particular, and he’s gotten through phase 1,” Enos said. “We haven’t gotten to phase 2 or 3 yet, there were a couple of opportunities last (game) that we missed, didn’t make the right decision… For a young player, those are reps, that’s experience. We can get to phase 2, phase 3. There are still some times he’s very sure what he’ll do on the front side of the concept, but we may have an alert throw on the other side. Sometimes we don’t confirm, miss it.
“There’s some next level stuff where he can have the entire offense working for him… but I do think one of the biggest improvements he’s made is his drops, pocket posture, bringing his hips through on his throws. And we were commenting just this morning watching him function in the pocket is like night and day from where we were in the spring and even during camp. He’s making a lot of strides. It’s exciting.”
In the past 2 contests, N’Kosi Perry has only seen one drive of action after starting the previous 3 games; is there ever any talk of him wanting to transfer?
“I don’t mention or talk to these guys right now anything about that,” Enos said. “They’re here and I’m going to coach them, assume they’re going to be here for the long-term. I think N’Kosi in particular has handled himself as a true professional this year. He didn’t win the job, continued to come to work every day, got his opportunity, helped us win some games, played injured, showed toughness, courage.
“After the season there’ll have to be conversations had with the team - we hope they all decide to stay because I think they all have value, can help us win.”
Enos also mentioned Mike Harley as someone he’s seen improvement from in 2019; the junior has already set career marks in receptions (34), yards (447), and TD’s (3) with three games still left to play.
“He wasn’t consistent with hand placement (earlier this year),” Enos said of Harley. “He’s been much more consistent catching the ball and his athleticism is starting to show.”
The offensive line has made huge strides throughout the season after starting out giving up 10 sacks to UF in the opener; by comparison, UM has only given up 8 total sacks in their past 4 games alone.
“It will be a position of strength in the future,” Enos said of the OL. “Butch (Barry) has really done a tremendous job, that group as a whole has bought into what he’s doing. They’re understanding the run schemes, the protections… They’re a talented group, really are. As I look at them across the board, all five, and throw in John Campbell and Kai (Herbert), they are long, have good feet, good balance, they can run, they can bend.”
Both Campbell and Herbert have been guys off the bench that Miami has trusted enough to give backup reps to, and are players that Enos feels comfortable starting if the situation called for it.
On Campbell: “John is very versatile, gets reps every day at tackle and guard for us. He can play either tackle or guard, really like his development and how he’s continuing to play.”
On Herbert: “Kai is improving, doing a really good job, will continue to develop… Kai is a guy we think has a very bright future.”
Enos mentioned he installed a package for QB Tate Martell for Miami’s last game vs. Louisville, but he did not think it was necessary showing on tape with the game getting so out of hand early on.
"He's had a little bit of a roller coaster situation about positions, the last couple of weeks has practiced really hard," Enos said. "We'll always have some things in there we can do with him. It'll be how the flow of the game goes."
**DC Blake Baker took some time to discuss issues regarding the personnel on his unit, beginning with DE Scott Patchan’s potential 6th year of eligibility.
“We’d love to have him back,” Baker said of Patchan. “He’s a big, strong guy, does a great job against the run, a nice array of pass rush moves.”
Could Patchan see more time at DT when looking to next season?
“He’ll probably stay on the outside, maybe third down you can put him inside,” Baker said.
DT Jon Ford got nicked up in the Louisville game, but Baker showed no concern about his availability for this week vs. FIU.
“He got a little bit banged up, nothing too serious,” Baker said of Ford.
LB Patrick Joyner saw his first action of the season in the 4th quarter of the Louisville game coming off a leg injury suffered over the offseason.
“I thought all things considered he did a pretty good job out there,” Baker said of Joyner. “Coming off an injury, really all spring had worked mostly at defensive end for us… I thought he did a pretty good job in there.”
DE Gregory Rousseau is pushing for the nation’s lead in sacks, as he is currently 2 off the lead with 12 sacks, but Baker said it’s not something the team generally speaks about.
“It’s not been discussed, I think Greg wants it that way,” Baker said. “You put added pressure - the more you talk about it, they don’t come. We don’t bring it up to him. And he’s such a humble, hard-working guy, it’s not going to change that approach.
“That’s a realistic goal to set for himself. That’s a goal he should have for himself. But from a game plan standpoint - we try to find mismatches with our defensive line vs. their protection, try to put them in the most favorable positions every Saturday. We’ll continue to do that.”
CB Al Blades essentially began the season as Miami’s #3 corner backing up DJ Ivey, but has risen into the starting lineup the past 3 weeks thanks in part to his work ethic according to Baker.
“The number one most impressive trait is his persistence,” Baker said of Blades. “He’s battled from last spring to this fall. He works hard. He wants to be great, is becoming a much more physical player, is really improving in every aspect of his game. The most impressive is the mental side. It’s hard to be a corner.”
