D$ and I bring you the exclusive inside scoop on UM's 2021 spring practice thus far, including tons of juicy tidbits regarding early standouts, position-by-position analysis, and the big picture of how the roster is setting up heading into the 2021 season.
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Great writeup. Chaney emerging as the RB leader is not surprising. But it will be interesting to see how Harris and Knighton react.
On the line, love the Donaldson talk. Hope he keeps working on S&C. Feeley has to make him his top priority. I just can't see J Williams getting beat out by Campbell or Scaife. Maybe more of a rotation, but he's King's personal bodyguard, and was stout last season where OG was our biggest issue. I hope coaches focus on developing Rivers and move Clark to backup Center to prep him for next year. Love hearing that McLaughlin is developing. I liked his projection, so nice to see he's coming along.
On the line, love the Donaldson talk. Hope he keeps working on S&C. Feeley has to make him his top priority. I just can't see J Williams getting beat out by Campbell or Scaife. Maybe more of a rotation, but he's King's personal bodyguard, and was stout last season where OG was our biggest issue. I hope coaches focus on developing Rivers and move Clark to backup Center to prep him for next year. Love hearing that McLaughlin is developing. I liked his projection, so nice to see he's coming along.
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Bump.
Been a ghost on here and hardly check Miami stuff anymore but let me listen to this though
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Tf happened?
Overall good podcast. For those who can't listen:
QB: Really a TVD audition with Garcia being limited with a lingering HS injury, TVD is more of a playmaker, can improvise, is slowly and steadily improving every day, people are excited about him.
RB: Shocked if Chaney is not RB1, dude is a hoss, physical talents are starting to emerge as game is slowing down for him. Harris and Knighton can obviously do some things but Chaney has really taken his game next level, looks as advertised, future NFL player.
WR: Harley is safe in slot, Rambo likely takes Pope's spot, and Smith is leader right now for #3 spot. Early in spring but those are the top 3 guys, all are legit 4.4 guys. Battling for 4th is likely X, making plays, surprising people athletically. Pope is Pope, he will get burn but Rambo came in for a reason, Wiggins and Payton battling some injuries, really not in picture right now. Redding good size/speed, needs work of fluidity, footwork, route tree but it a solid player. Incoming frosh also have a chance to impress.
TE: With mallory out and arroyo limited, good solid reps for Mam who will play a lot as his skillset is different from the other guys. He can catch and run, but not like mallory, more of an inline player who will carve a role. Hodges looks more in shape, can give solid reps but Mallory clearly TE1 then some question marks based on Arroyo's limited spring.
OL: Zion LT, Gaynor C, and Donaldson at RG are likely starters and safe. Donaldson is in shape and looks good and will hopefully continue that trajectory through summer. Scaife kicked to RT battling Williams and Campbell. Williams obviously 7 year guy, think he has the lead but they may want more of a people mover for run support so battle is closer than expected with Scaife and Campbell. LG is clark and Rivers, Clark lost some bad weight, looks more in shape, D$ wants Rivers taking that spot, thinks he is ready. Said Issiah Walker is actually getting reps at G which surprised him but may just be plugging him around playing with the lineup. Herbert/Hillery JAGS, but Mcluaghlin is impressing people. Came in bigger and stronger than expected, is showing some real potential, still not ready but looks better than advertised and people are pleased with him thus far. D$ had him at bottom of tier 1 in his class breakdown and if he could re-do it would but him higher after seein him in Spring.
DE: Harvey is the next big guy up, wont be Phillips or Roche but more of a blend of the 2. high motor, looks fast, strong, Deandre Johnson is likely other starter at DE, both will produce but unlikely to replicate last years DE. The third guy emerging is Chantz, he is 6'5 260 now, (I was surprised not to hear about Cam, is he hurt?) Has all the physical tools, but needs more tools in his box, needs honing in technique and moves, still a little stiff. McCloud, people shouldnt judge him at LB for DE. Best case he is a trent harris, he may be on the field on important downs but rotational player, physically tested, and his biggest issue at LB was instincts and thinking too much, at DE he can simply attack and we should see improvement.
DT: Nesta out. Ford has been doing some nice things. he has the size needed but he needs a lot of work if he wants to play next level. He will be serviceable but not all world. JHH is showing flashes, Roberts may need another year, still a little light, frame can still add a lot of weight for playing DT but is a guy coaches are excited about. Holley was sick last year, lost a lot of weight, seems to be light, hope Simpson can get something out of him. Miller is doing some nice things, another big body like Ford, rarely gets moved.
LB: Biggest concern on the team, lack of talent and development. Flagg is clear cut starter and no one else is really close which is scary because Flagg is good, but not an all world player where there should be that type of separation. Brooks dealing with toe and knee injuries still, Steed seems to have lost a step from his multiple serious injuries, Cave is still learning, not there. Said light is flickering, might not be on but is close, for Huff. Has the range needed for that spot. Jennings, dealing with some injuries and just not very good. Likely portal pickup need after Spring.
Striker: Gil is doing his thing, Keontra has had a great spring, D$ wants him to move to LB, too good to not have on the field and Chase Smith is emerging and exciting everyone with his length and speed, thinks Harrel could move to striker to give us a solid 3 letting Keontra go to LB to help infuse talent in that room.
CB: Stevenson might be best player on the D. Absolute Stud. Big, physical, fast, has been returning punts, may need to shed some weight, likely 210 range right now, want to make sure he stays slim in CB shape but clear cut #1 which allows others to go more natural. Said Couch picking up where he left off, looks confident, may be even better once Blades and Ivey (both out/injured) come back so he can move to natural spot of slot as he is still on the smaller size. Dunson getting some reps but likely Stevenson CB1/Couch slot and Blades/Ivey battling last spot.
S: Bubba and Hall starters. Carter will get reps, D$ obviously hopes it will be more blitzing and sub packages. Tae will likely be on the field in the longer 3rd downs with his range, really coming along nicely.
Overall, front 7 of D is likely the weaker positions this year, S/CB may be the strength of the team.
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Depth on offensive lineman! Anything from Chris Washington?
I don’t think it’s a seniority deal. Jarrid Williams is 30 years old and he’s in a true battle. And there’s still time for that position to open up if Clark gets beat out at G.
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LB: Biggest concern on the team, lack of talent and development. Flagg is clear cut starter and no one else is really close which is scary because Flagg is good, but not an all world player where there should be that type of separation. Brooks dealing with toe and knee injuries still, Steed seems to have lost a step from his multiple serious injuries, Cave is still learning, not there. Said light is flickering, might not be on but is close, for Huff. Has the range needed for that spot. Jennings, dealing with some injuries and just not very good. Likely portal pickup need after Spring.
And to think LBs was Manny's group, he is the worst recruiter on the staff
Yeah. Lots of misses. 2016 is when we had Shaq/Pinck and McCloud. Overall weak class that really set us back. From that class, the following never played, or played very little: Bruce, Allison, Mullins, Haskins, Cedrick Wright, Dayall Harris, tre Johnson, Tyreic Martin, Jeff James, Michael Irvin.
Played well but had career cut short by injury: Richards, Malek Young,
Solid contributor: Finley, Shaq, Joe Jackson, Travis Homer, Pat Bethel, McCloud, Pinck.
The trio of LB started in 2017. I get 2017 maybe not needing a ton of LB, we got Jennings (low3*), Steed (low 3*) wilder (mid 3*)
2018 we needed to hit but instead: ZERO LB (some may argue Pat Joyner but he was listed at DE). This hurt us.
2019: Brooks and Huff. Decent class based on projection but have not developed properly.
2020: Flagg, Cave.
Zero top 200 LB since 2017. One top 300 guy in Huff. Thats it.
Knew DLine and LB the would be areas of issue.
not surprised in the least. Happens when you lose and don’t reload
not surprised in the least. Happens when you lose and don’t reload
Super bummed about Brooks being hurt. I’m scared he ends up similar to steed. Just can’t regain the athleticism after the injuries. But I’ll give him time. Covid year allows him to have this year and then two more so I won’t write him off.
Keontra to linebacker just makes too much sense to me but whatever.
Keontra to linebacker just makes too much sense to me but whatever.
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Blame Manny
Agree that Restrepo is more explosive than people think and has some downfield ability with his ability to track the ball on wheel routes, for example. He's like a more athletic Adam Humphries. But Brashard Smith is even better so that will be an interesting battle for playing time.
Don't agree with Hall, Gaynor and Rambo being treated as lock starters.
Don't agree with Hall, Gaynor and Rambo being treated as lock starters.
There are many doing Canes related podcast or YouTube videos, but no one brings better content, analysis, insight, and is more connected with the program than DMoney. Thx and keep up the great work.
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Awesome awesome stuff
Sounds like the offense is really starting to come together. Especially the OL. Love to hear it
Sucks that King got injured cause this offense could’ve really kept the momentum going that they built towards the end of last year with improvements if he was healthy this spring
Sounds like the offense is really starting to come together. Especially the OL. Love to hear it
Sucks that King got injured cause this offense could’ve really kept the momentum going that they built towards the end of last year with improvements if he was healthy this spring
Defense sounds a little suspect especially in that front 7
Would love to see Keontra moved to WLB
what’s up with Cam Williams? He looked good in flashes last year. Thought he’d be prepped for a big leap this year
Would love to see Keontra moved to WLB
what’s up with Cam Williams? He looked good in flashes last year. Thought he’d be prepped for a big leap this year
I think with Nesta out, JHH is getting matched up with Donaldson. Donaldson is winning, and with Deandre out the edges don’t have the experience and strength, so the OL is winning more of the battles.
Get Deandre and Nesta back DL changes a lot.
Deandre
Nesta
JHH
Harvey
Get Deandre and Nesta back DL changes a lot.
Deandre
Nesta
JHH
Harvey
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Appreciate the insight, D. Manny has really done a good job leveraging the transfer portal to improve our roster, but his inability or unwillingness to address our glaring deficiencies at LB after Shaq and Pinckney left is frustrating.
