Following Tuesday’s practice, Miami Hurricanes coach Jonathan Patke spoke to the media via Zoom to discuss his move from outside LB/strikers coach to inside LB coach over the offseason, and what he’s seen from his group early on in spring ball.
“I’m excited to be with the inside backers, has been a joy to be in that room,” Patke said. “We have a great group of young men.”
One of Patke’s biggest tasks this spring will be figuring out an answer to Miami’s struggles at the inside linebacker position after last year’s starters BJ Jennings and Zach McCloud underperformed. With McCloud now at defensive end and Jennings battling to stay with the ones, Patke could end up starting a new duo at the second level of Miami’s defense in 2021.
“Right now, it’s a constant rotation,” Patke said. “We have BJ, (Corey) Flagg at MIKE, those guys are rotating. Tirek Austin-Cave is running with the MIKE’s as well - his athleticism shows up, just learning, understanding the defense, what we’re trying to accomplish.
“At WILL, we have older guys and young guys behind them. You have Waynmon Steed who has been here a while, knows the defense, exactly what to do. Then Avery Huff coming along at WILL. He’s made great strides this spring, is standing out in my mind. He has really picked it up mentally and is getting aligned right, understanding what his job is.”
True freshman early enrollee Deshawn Troutman is also looking to work his way into the mix at WILL as well and has shown flashes according to Patke.
“He tackles, is not scared, made a lot of plays,” Patke said of Troutman.
Another option at WILL is sophomore Sam Brooks, who Patke mentioned is still getting treatment on a toe injury suffered last year.
“We know Sam can play, have to get him healthy, running full speed again,” Patke said. “He will be in the mix.”
Patke also returns as Miami’s special teams coordinator, leading a unit that had the best punter/kicker duo in the nation last season but struggled mightily advancing the ball in the return game. That’s why a key focus of the spring is finding a reliable returner, and Patke says Tyrique Stevenson, Xavier Restrepo, Charleston Rambo, and Mike Harley are all in the running at punt returner.
“We’re trying to find that guy at punt return, especially with the issues we had with that last year,” Patke said. “We have to address that issue. I like Tyrique back there right now - he’s smooth, natural, has done it in the past. And Restrepo is a natural punt returner as well. But it’s a constant battle.”
On kickoff return?
“I like Tyrique back there, Harley has been good, has a natural feel for everything. Restrepo, Jaylan Knighton, Don Chaney - kickoff return is more of an offensive play,” Patke said. “We’re looking for an electric guy back there. We’re trying to roll as many guys as we can back there.”
Kicker Jose Borregales, who won the Lou Groza Award at UM last season, left the program over the offseason to enter the NFL Draft, leaving a big hole to fill at the position in 2021 for Miami. To replace Jose, Patke kept it in the family and recruited early enrollee Andres “Andy” Borregales to step into the starting kicking job beginning this spring, with former walk-on sophomore Camden Price providing competition for the true freshman.
“Andy coming in is such an experienced kicker to be an early enrollee, feels like he’s an older guy,” Patke said. “He’s been with his brother so long, has kicked for so many years doing camps. He’s kicked off the ground in high school, is really above his time. Now it’s getting used to our protection, the cadence, a new holder. It’s a good competition right now. Competition breeds the best in all of us. They’re taking reps with each other. The room is good, he fits right in. Just like his brother, natural competitors.”
“I’m excited to be with the inside backers, has been a joy to be in that room,” Patke said. “We have a great group of young men.”
One of Patke’s biggest tasks this spring will be figuring out an answer to Miami’s struggles at the inside linebacker position after last year’s starters BJ Jennings and Zach McCloud underperformed. With McCloud now at defensive end and Jennings battling to stay with the ones, Patke could end up starting a new duo at the second level of Miami’s defense in 2021.
“Right now, it’s a constant rotation,” Patke said. “We have BJ, (Corey) Flagg at MIKE, those guys are rotating. Tirek Austin-Cave is running with the MIKE’s as well - his athleticism shows up, just learning, understanding the defense, what we’re trying to accomplish.
“At WILL, we have older guys and young guys behind them. You have Waynmon Steed who has been here a while, knows the defense, exactly what to do. Then Avery Huff coming along at WILL. He’s made great strides this spring, is standing out in my mind. He has really picked it up mentally and is getting aligned right, understanding what his job is.”
True freshman early enrollee Deshawn Troutman is also looking to work his way into the mix at WILL as well and has shown flashes according to Patke.
“He tackles, is not scared, made a lot of plays,” Patke said of Troutman.
Another option at WILL is sophomore Sam Brooks, who Patke mentioned is still getting treatment on a toe injury suffered last year.
“We know Sam can play, have to get him healthy, running full speed again,” Patke said. “He will be in the mix.”
Patke also returns as Miami’s special teams coordinator, leading a unit that had the best punter/kicker duo in the nation last season but struggled mightily advancing the ball in the return game. That’s why a key focus of the spring is finding a reliable returner, and Patke says Tyrique Stevenson, Xavier Restrepo, Charleston Rambo, and Mike Harley are all in the running at punt returner.
“We’re trying to find that guy at punt return, especially with the issues we had with that last year,” Patke said. “We have to address that issue. I like Tyrique back there right now - he’s smooth, natural, has done it in the past. And Restrepo is a natural punt returner as well. But it’s a constant battle.”
On kickoff return?
“I like Tyrique back there, Harley has been good, has a natural feel for everything. Restrepo, Jaylan Knighton, Don Chaney - kickoff return is more of an offensive play,” Patke said. “We’re looking for an electric guy back there. We’re trying to roll as many guys as we can back there.”
Kicker Jose Borregales, who won the Lou Groza Award at UM last season, left the program over the offseason to enter the NFL Draft, leaving a big hole to fill at the position in 2021 for Miami. To replace Jose, Patke kept it in the family and recruited early enrollee Andres “Andy” Borregales to step into the starting kicking job beginning this spring, with former walk-on sophomore Camden Price providing competition for the true freshman.
“Andy coming in is such an experienced kicker to be an early enrollee, feels like he’s an older guy,” Patke said. “He’s been with his brother so long, has kicked for so many years doing camps. He’s kicked off the ground in high school, is really above his time. Now it’s getting used to our protection, the cadence, a new holder. It’s a good competition right now. Competition breeds the best in all of us. They’re taking reps with each other. The room is good, he fits right in. Just like his brother, natural competitors.”
