After Saturday’s practice, Miami Hurricanes offensive coordinator and QB coach Rhett Lashlee addressed some team issues throughout the first week of fall camp, including how Houston grad transfer QB D’Eriq King is responding to his offensive system.
“He can certainly make all the throws, he’s a very good passer,” Lashlee said of King. “He’s been solid. He’s getting very comfortable with what we’re doing. You never know until you get in games what guys will be like, but he’s been steady.”
Behind King, N’Kosi Perry, Tate Martell, and Tyler Van Dyke are competing for the backup QB role, a spot Lashlee said was “wide open” at the moment.
“N’Kosi, Tate, Tyler Van Dyke - those guys have split the majority of those number two reps,” Lashlee said. “Tomorrow will be one of their big job interviews for that. It’s the first time to see how they handle a real game situation.
“At the end of the day, the greatest measure of a quarterback is, do they put the ball in the end zone, put up points? I couldn’t tell you who has the edge - two older guys who have been here, a younger guy.”
With Miami holding their first fall scrimmage tonight, Lashlee will be able to get a better handle on how his unit is progressing within his scheme.
“To me, it’s just a great opportunity after a week of work to see how guys are,” Lashlee said. “Practice is one thing, even when we do some scrimmage type things in practice. When there’s down and distance, officials, time on the clock, it’s a little more of a game-like situation. I’m excited to see how our guys respond, who knows what to do, plays extremely hard, is physical.
“It’ll be good for us as coaches to get a lot of information on our guys. We’ll try to play fast, do the things we’ve done, see how our guys respond and where we are about three-and-a-half weeks out before our first game.”
Lashlee will also use the scrimmage to establish more concrete roles for the offensive linemen going forward; Miami has been mixing and matching on the OL going back to spring ball.
“We’ll put them where we think they fit best,” Lashlee said. “We have a pretty good idea. I’ve been pleased with their progress.”
Does Lashlee feel disadvantaged compared to other teams at all in having a shortened window (one week of spring) to integrate a new offensive system at Miami?
“Every day we’re coming to work trying to get better, it’s a major process,” Lashlee said. “New staff, new offense on our side of the ball. We’re just trying to get on the same page - to play hard, fast, be a physical team, know what to do.
“I like the camaraderie of our team on offense. They’re buying into what coaches are asking them to do. They’re fully committed, now it’s a process.”
Freshman RB Don Chaney was injured in the spring and sat out during UM’s week of drills, but he is now fully healthy according to Lashlee.
“He looks really good, looks healthy,” Lashlee said of Chaney. “For a young guy, he’s picking things up really well. Really excited about his first week so far.”
Junior TE Brevin Jordan is also coming back from a foot injury suffered at the end of last season, and Lashlee said he is looking good so far in fall camp.
“Our doctors have done a great job getting him back,” Lashlee said of Jordan. “He’s been cleared for a while now, has been working out with the team over the summer. We’ve not held anything back, he’s gone out and practiced. He’s done really well, has held up nicely. It’s really important to him that he can stay healthy, stay on the field this year.”
Lashlee has also liked what he’s seen out of backup tight end Will Mallory and has seen an improvement in his blocking especially.
“Will has developed into a really good all-around player,” Lashlee said of Mallory. “We like versatile tight ends, it helps with our tempo. Will is a big, long, rangy guy who can catch the football, a good blocker. He’s a consistent guy, savvy guy, is very important to our offense and I really expect him to have a solid season for us.”
**Canes defensive coordinator Blake Baker is adjusting to a lot this fall – star DE Gregory Rousseau opted out of the 2020 season, UM lost their entire starting LB/striker corps over the offseason, and the secondary took a hit with Trajan Bandy leaving school to go pro early. Still, Baker is confident that his unit will be able to step up to replace those losses, and he is excited to see who emerges beginning with tonight’s first scrimmage.
“The big thing being very early in camp, a week into it, but not really having a live scrimmage (yet), we’re still very much a work in progress - but at the same time I’m really encouraged by this unit,” Baker said. “We’ve been emphasizing running to the football and hitting when we get there. We’ll clean up the mistakes as camp goes on, but these guys are looking to compete. There’s a lot of competition. Every position almost is up for grabs. There’s a hunger among this group.”
While there will be some changes to how scrimmages are run in terms of off the field safety measures, Baker says things on the field will play out exactly the same as they always have during past scrimmages.
“There’ll be some differences with social distance and spacing and having chairs on the sideline instead of benches to make sure we follow the guidelines,” Baker said. “In between the lines, it’ll be the same. We’ll put the ball down and play. I’m just really excited. It’s been a long time. This is what these guys trained this whole offseason to do.”
What will Baker be looking for out of his defense tonight?
“This will be the first time for the young guys that we’ve never seen tackle,” Baker said. “I’m excited to see how well we tackle in the first scrimmage and just their effort, to be relentless to the football.”
At defensive tackle, Baker said the Canes have mainly relied on Jon Ford, Nesta Silvera, and Jordan Miller as their main three DT’s, with redshirt freshmen Jared Harrison-Hunte, Jalar Holley, and Jason Blissett pushing behind them to earn a spot in the rotation.
“Every day it feels like someone else is stepping up,” Baker said. “But nobody at that position has locked down a starting role.”
As UM looks to establish depth at LB, Baker mentioned that redshirt juniors Bradley Jennings and Waynmon Steed have returned from injuries that kept them out all of 2019 and have looked healthy thus far in camp.
“They both look great,” Baker said. “Those two guys are playing their tails off, have been in this system a long time, have really matured from a mentality standpoint. I think they're going to surprise some people this year."
In the secondary, Baker praised sophomore corners Christian Williams and Te’Cory Couch for having strong camps and putting pressure on juniors Al Blades and DJ Ivey.
“I’m encouraged, I really am, by the athleticism of the younger guys and how the older guys are competing,” Baker said. "But [the scrimmage] will answer a lot of questions.”
Baker also touched on the progress of redshirt junior safety Bubba Bolden, who missed the season half of last season and spring ball with a broken ankle.
“He is 100% healthy and is definitely more comfortable,” Baker said. “You can see him growing more confident every day.”
“He can certainly make all the throws, he’s a very good passer,” Lashlee said of King. “He’s been solid. He’s getting very comfortable with what we’re doing. You never know until you get in games what guys will be like, but he’s been steady.”
Behind King, N’Kosi Perry, Tate Martell, and Tyler Van Dyke are competing for the backup QB role, a spot Lashlee said was “wide open” at the moment.
“N’Kosi, Tate, Tyler Van Dyke - those guys have split the majority of those number two reps,” Lashlee said. “Tomorrow will be one of their big job interviews for that. It’s the first time to see how they handle a real game situation.
“At the end of the day, the greatest measure of a quarterback is, do they put the ball in the end zone, put up points? I couldn’t tell you who has the edge - two older guys who have been here, a younger guy.”
With Miami holding their first fall scrimmage tonight, Lashlee will be able to get a better handle on how his unit is progressing within his scheme.
“To me, it’s just a great opportunity after a week of work to see how guys are,” Lashlee said. “Practice is one thing, even when we do some scrimmage type things in practice. When there’s down and distance, officials, time on the clock, it’s a little more of a game-like situation. I’m excited to see how our guys respond, who knows what to do, plays extremely hard, is physical.
“It’ll be good for us as coaches to get a lot of information on our guys. We’ll try to play fast, do the things we’ve done, see how our guys respond and where we are about three-and-a-half weeks out before our first game.”
Lashlee will also use the scrimmage to establish more concrete roles for the offensive linemen going forward; Miami has been mixing and matching on the OL going back to spring ball.
“We’ll put them where we think they fit best,” Lashlee said. “We have a pretty good idea. I’ve been pleased with their progress.”
Does Lashlee feel disadvantaged compared to other teams at all in having a shortened window (one week of spring) to integrate a new offensive system at Miami?
“Every day we’re coming to work trying to get better, it’s a major process,” Lashlee said. “New staff, new offense on our side of the ball. We’re just trying to get on the same page - to play hard, fast, be a physical team, know what to do.
“I like the camaraderie of our team on offense. They’re buying into what coaches are asking them to do. They’re fully committed, now it’s a process.”
Freshman RB Don Chaney was injured in the spring and sat out during UM’s week of drills, but he is now fully healthy according to Lashlee.
“He looks really good, looks healthy,” Lashlee said of Chaney. “For a young guy, he’s picking things up really well. Really excited about his first week so far.”
Junior TE Brevin Jordan is also coming back from a foot injury suffered at the end of last season, and Lashlee said he is looking good so far in fall camp.
“Our doctors have done a great job getting him back,” Lashlee said of Jordan. “He’s been cleared for a while now, has been working out with the team over the summer. We’ve not held anything back, he’s gone out and practiced. He’s done really well, has held up nicely. It’s really important to him that he can stay healthy, stay on the field this year.”
Lashlee has also liked what he’s seen out of backup tight end Will Mallory and has seen an improvement in his blocking especially.
“Will has developed into a really good all-around player,” Lashlee said of Mallory. “We like versatile tight ends, it helps with our tempo. Will is a big, long, rangy guy who can catch the football, a good blocker. He’s a consistent guy, savvy guy, is very important to our offense and I really expect him to have a solid season for us.”
**Canes defensive coordinator Blake Baker is adjusting to a lot this fall – star DE Gregory Rousseau opted out of the 2020 season, UM lost their entire starting LB/striker corps over the offseason, and the secondary took a hit with Trajan Bandy leaving school to go pro early. Still, Baker is confident that his unit will be able to step up to replace those losses, and he is excited to see who emerges beginning with tonight’s first scrimmage.
“The big thing being very early in camp, a week into it, but not really having a live scrimmage (yet), we’re still very much a work in progress - but at the same time I’m really encouraged by this unit,” Baker said. “We’ve been emphasizing running to the football and hitting when we get there. We’ll clean up the mistakes as camp goes on, but these guys are looking to compete. There’s a lot of competition. Every position almost is up for grabs. There’s a hunger among this group.”
While there will be some changes to how scrimmages are run in terms of off the field safety measures, Baker says things on the field will play out exactly the same as they always have during past scrimmages.
“There’ll be some differences with social distance and spacing and having chairs on the sideline instead of benches to make sure we follow the guidelines,” Baker said. “In between the lines, it’ll be the same. We’ll put the ball down and play. I’m just really excited. It’s been a long time. This is what these guys trained this whole offseason to do.”
What will Baker be looking for out of his defense tonight?
“This will be the first time for the young guys that we’ve never seen tackle,” Baker said. “I’m excited to see how well we tackle in the first scrimmage and just their effort, to be relentless to the football.”
At defensive tackle, Baker said the Canes have mainly relied on Jon Ford, Nesta Silvera, and Jordan Miller as their main three DT’s, with redshirt freshmen Jared Harrison-Hunte, Jalar Holley, and Jason Blissett pushing behind them to earn a spot in the rotation.
“Every day it feels like someone else is stepping up,” Baker said. “But nobody at that position has locked down a starting role.”
As UM looks to establish depth at LB, Baker mentioned that redshirt juniors Bradley Jennings and Waynmon Steed have returned from injuries that kept them out all of 2019 and have looked healthy thus far in camp.
“They both look great,” Baker said. “Those two guys are playing their tails off, have been in this system a long time, have really matured from a mentality standpoint. I think they're going to surprise some people this year."
In the secondary, Baker praised sophomore corners Christian Williams and Te’Cory Couch for having strong camps and putting pressure on juniors Al Blades and DJ Ivey.
“I’m encouraged, I really am, by the athleticism of the younger guys and how the older guys are competing,” Baker said. "But [the scrimmage] will answer a lot of questions.”
Baker also touched on the progress of redshirt junior safety Bubba Bolden, who missed the season half of last season and spring ball with a broken ankle.
“He is 100% healthy and is definitely more comfortable,” Baker said. “You can see him growing more confident every day.”
