Not long after naming Malik Rosier his starter heading into fall camp, UM head coach Mark Richt confirmed to the press at the ACC Media Day Kickoff in Charlotte that true freshman QB Jarren Williams will likely see time in 2018 due to the new redshirt rule that allows freshmen to play in four games and retain the right to redshirt.
“Just imagine if this rule was in place a year ago,’’ Richt told the Miami Herald and other Media Day press. “Could have played ‘N’Kosi (Perry), could have played (Cade) Weldon, up to four games, and who knows what we would have found out?"
Going into his his 3rd year as Miami's head coach, Richt made clear that Williams will see the field in games where the outcome has been determined, which means his likely debut will come against Savannah State on Sept. 8th, barring a surprise blowout in the opener against LSU on Sept. 2.
“Now those guys are redshirted and it doesn’t really affect them, but it could affect Jarren Williams, being a true freshman— and really all of our true freshmen. I’d love to play them all, at one time or another, if possible. Sometimes the quarterback position could be the hardest one to just throw a guy in there for a few plays. But he’s got a much greater shot of playing this year because of the new rule... And I’m not saying he’s going to redshirt. He may play, period."
Richt also says it's likely most, if not all, freshmen from UM's heralded 2018 recruiting class will be playing this season, whereas last season they may have sat to retain eligibility.
“But I think it’s an awesome rule in general. And my goal is for me to play just about everybody we can play, because we know it’s not going to count against their eligibility.
“Just imagine if this rule was in place a year ago,’’ Richt told the Miami Herald and other Media Day press. “Could have played ‘N’Kosi (Perry), could have played (Cade) Weldon, up to four games, and who knows what we would have found out?"
Going into his his 3rd year as Miami's head coach, Richt made clear that Williams will see the field in games where the outcome has been determined, which means his likely debut will come against Savannah State on Sept. 8th, barring a surprise blowout in the opener against LSU on Sept. 2.
“Now those guys are redshirted and it doesn’t really affect them, but it could affect Jarren Williams, being a true freshman— and really all of our true freshmen. I’d love to play them all, at one time or another, if possible. Sometimes the quarterback position could be the hardest one to just throw a guy in there for a few plays. But he’s got a much greater shot of playing this year because of the new rule... And I’m not saying he’s going to redshirt. He may play, period."
Richt also says it's likely most, if not all, freshmen from UM's heralded 2018 recruiting class will be playing this season, whereas last season they may have sat to retain eligibility.
“But I think it’s an awesome rule in general. And my goal is for me to play just about everybody we can play, because we know it’s not going to count against their eligibility.
