This spring, the Miami Hurricanes continue to work on installing new offensive coordinator Dan Enos’ offense, which he estimated was 50-60% complete after Tuesday’s practice. However, Enos is holding his quarterbacks to a high standard when running his scheme and says the group still has a long way to go to get to a championship level.
“Not near where we need to be, not near a championship level,” Enos said of his QB’s. “But making some strides in some areas. Not even close to where we need to be at this time. We have a long way to go.”
Despite that, Enos recognizes it’s still spring practice, and is not concerned about his QB group right now.
“It’s just part of the process. We’re in the middle of the process right now,” Enos said. “We have to continue to get better.”
Each of Miami’s three scholarship QB’s have been pretty equally sharing first team reps, and Enos gave his thoughts on what he’s seen from Tate Martell, Jarren Williams, and N’Kosi Perry so far.
On Martell: “Tate is much more comfortable with the terminology than he was earlier. He’s throwing the ball pretty effectively the last couple of days. And we’re really, really working with his eyes in the pocket, his eyes and his feet, posture. He drifts around on his drops a lot, there’s not a real distinct sense of timing in his drops. It’s something that’s new for him. He has to learn to transition with his feet and do it in team situations where I’m not with him telling him to do it every day.”
On Williams: “Jarren has come out here, made some terrific throws. And he’s had some situations where he’s had some mental lapses as well.”
On Perry: “On Saturday, he had his best day. N’Kosi had a great day, graded very high. I saw poise, a passer, a guy getting through his progressions. And today we have to watch the tape, he had a little bit of a step back today. These things are expected.”
**Getting the Miami Hurricanes offensive line to play at a high-level has proven to be a daunting task for the past few years. Enter new OL coach Butch Barry, who has eyes on fixing this long-maligned unit. Barry’s goal this spring is to find his top 5 linemen, regardless of past experience, and run with them.
“Everything we’re doing is to get the five best guys figured out,” Barry said. “Nothing is set in stone, it’s always a competition. Guys are playing all different spots right now.”
The lineman that seems to be getting the most buzz from players and coaches is sophomore DJ Scaife, who is moving from right to left tackle this spring.
“He moves his feet really well, really good athlete,” Barry said of Scaife. “He’s got enough length, there’s guys that play in the NFL that are 6-foot-4 that are playing tackle too. He can also play guard, is taking reps at guard in practice too.”
At center, Miami is trying to replace two-year starter Tyler Gauthier, and sophomore Corey Gaynor has been in the lead on the first team since spring started. Barry says he’s starting to see Gaynor take on more of a leadership role within the team, which is what many centers do for their line.
“He’s done a really good job,” Barry said of Gaynor. “He’s starting to become a leader for us, take ownership of what we want done. He tries to put his best foot forward, and really that’s all you can ask for.”
On what it will take to get this line to start performing to a championship level, Barry feels the key is making small improvements every week to give the player confidence and to keep them on track.
“Offensive linemen, they want to be coached, want to get better,” Barry said. “If you can get them better, they’ll try to do what you’re asking. They’ll keep getting better. I’m putting them in some difficult situations. That’s how you test them. They’re all doing well, but we definitely have to get better too. But I like the progression we’re on. We have to battle every day to get better, but we’ve done some nice things up to this point also.”
“Not near where we need to be, not near a championship level,” Enos said of his QB’s. “But making some strides in some areas. Not even close to where we need to be at this time. We have a long way to go.”
Despite that, Enos recognizes it’s still spring practice, and is not concerned about his QB group right now.
“It’s just part of the process. We’re in the middle of the process right now,” Enos said. “We have to continue to get better.”
Each of Miami’s three scholarship QB’s have been pretty equally sharing first team reps, and Enos gave his thoughts on what he’s seen from Tate Martell, Jarren Williams, and N’Kosi Perry so far.
On Martell: “Tate is much more comfortable with the terminology than he was earlier. He’s throwing the ball pretty effectively the last couple of days. And we’re really, really working with his eyes in the pocket, his eyes and his feet, posture. He drifts around on his drops a lot, there’s not a real distinct sense of timing in his drops. It’s something that’s new for him. He has to learn to transition with his feet and do it in team situations where I’m not with him telling him to do it every day.”
On Williams: “Jarren has come out here, made some terrific throws. And he’s had some situations where he’s had some mental lapses as well.”
On Perry: “On Saturday, he had his best day. N’Kosi had a great day, graded very high. I saw poise, a passer, a guy getting through his progressions. And today we have to watch the tape, he had a little bit of a step back today. These things are expected.”
**Getting the Miami Hurricanes offensive line to play at a high-level has proven to be a daunting task for the past few years. Enter new OL coach Butch Barry, who has eyes on fixing this long-maligned unit. Barry’s goal this spring is to find his top 5 linemen, regardless of past experience, and run with them.
“Everything we’re doing is to get the five best guys figured out,” Barry said. “Nothing is set in stone, it’s always a competition. Guys are playing all different spots right now.”
The lineman that seems to be getting the most buzz from players and coaches is sophomore DJ Scaife, who is moving from right to left tackle this spring.
“He moves his feet really well, really good athlete,” Barry said of Scaife. “He’s got enough length, there’s guys that play in the NFL that are 6-foot-4 that are playing tackle too. He can also play guard, is taking reps at guard in practice too.”
At center, Miami is trying to replace two-year starter Tyler Gauthier, and sophomore Corey Gaynor has been in the lead on the first team since spring started. Barry says he’s starting to see Gaynor take on more of a leadership role within the team, which is what many centers do for their line.
“He’s done a really good job,” Barry said of Gaynor. “He’s starting to become a leader for us, take ownership of what we want done. He tries to put his best foot forward, and really that’s all you can ask for.”
On what it will take to get this line to start performing to a championship level, Barry feels the key is making small improvements every week to give the player confidence and to keep them on track.
“Offensive linemen, they want to be coached, want to get better,” Barry said. “If you can get them better, they’ll try to do what you’re asking. They’ll keep getting better. I’m putting them in some difficult situations. That’s how you test them. They’re all doing well, but we definitely have to get better too. But I like the progression we’re on. We have to battle every day to get better, but we’ve done some nice things up to this point also.”
