Since he came in during the spring semester, freshman RB Lorenzo Lingard was immediately the #3 back in Miami’s rotation. However, after struggling with pass protection in the first fall scrimmage on Saturday, he was moved down to 5th on the depth chart behind Trayone Gray and Robert Burns.
“Yeah, I need to work on [pass protection],” Lingard said. “It’s just a matter of picking up the right guy that I’m supposed to have and pretty much just whatever the line don’t pick up.”
What else do the coaches tell him he needs to do to move back up the depth chart?
“Just be consistent,” Lingard said. “I have great plays here and there, but I have to do things like that more often.”
Although Lingard said it helped him mentally to graduate from high school early and enroll in Miami in for spring ball, it has been a whirlwind the last few weeks in comparison.
“It did help, but things picked up a lot since fall camp and first game of the season prep,” Lingard said. “I’ve picked up a lot since I’ve been here, but now it’s just a matter of being consistent.”
Speaking of things he’s picked up at Miami, Lingard says he’s learned plenty from working behind UM’s #1 and #2 tailbacks in Travis Homer and DeeJay Dallas.
“Patience from Travis and reading the hole and DeeJay has great footwork,” Lingard said. “I try to take pieces from the whole when I watch them and put two and two together.”
At 6’0” 202 pounds, Lingard ran the fastest timed 40 in team testing over the off-season with a 4.27 40 yard dash. That size-speed combination is absolutely elite at any level, but Lingard tries to keep himself grounded so he can focus on ironing out the rest of his game.
“I don’t rub it in anybody’s face, I’m pretty humble about it,” Lingard said on being the fastest man on the team. “I’d say [my speed] really comes in handy catching the ball in space or on a go-route.”
The Hurricanes’ offensive line has been a problem spot in the past few years, especially in terms of run blocking, but the coaches have reported progress these first few weeks of fall camp.
“Coach (Stacy) Searels has done a great job with the guys,” Lingard said on the OL. “They have tiny cracks here and there, but I take advantage when I get a window and get what I can. They’re working hard and coming along.”
When asked who the hardest hitter on the defense has been so far at UM, Lingard didn’t hesitate to answer.
“Shaq Quarterman… Let’s just say I’ve been hit.”
Any predictions on week 1 vs. LSU?
“Man, it’s going to be a blowout, we going to win. The LSU moms are going to be packing their bags early and telling their sons ‘It’s okay, Johnny’, all that stuff.”
“Yeah, I need to work on [pass protection],” Lingard said. “It’s just a matter of picking up the right guy that I’m supposed to have and pretty much just whatever the line don’t pick up.”
What else do the coaches tell him he needs to do to move back up the depth chart?
“Just be consistent,” Lingard said. “I have great plays here and there, but I have to do things like that more often.”
Although Lingard said it helped him mentally to graduate from high school early and enroll in Miami in for spring ball, it has been a whirlwind the last few weeks in comparison.
“It did help, but things picked up a lot since fall camp and first game of the season prep,” Lingard said. “I’ve picked up a lot since I’ve been here, but now it’s just a matter of being consistent.”
Speaking of things he’s picked up at Miami, Lingard says he’s learned plenty from working behind UM’s #1 and #2 tailbacks in Travis Homer and DeeJay Dallas.
“Patience from Travis and reading the hole and DeeJay has great footwork,” Lingard said. “I try to take pieces from the whole when I watch them and put two and two together.”
At 6’0” 202 pounds, Lingard ran the fastest timed 40 in team testing over the off-season with a 4.27 40 yard dash. That size-speed combination is absolutely elite at any level, but Lingard tries to keep himself grounded so he can focus on ironing out the rest of his game.
“I don’t rub it in anybody’s face, I’m pretty humble about it,” Lingard said on being the fastest man on the team. “I’d say [my speed] really comes in handy catching the ball in space or on a go-route.”
The Hurricanes’ offensive line has been a problem spot in the past few years, especially in terms of run blocking, but the coaches have reported progress these first few weeks of fall camp.
“Coach (Stacy) Searels has done a great job with the guys,” Lingard said on the OL. “They have tiny cracks here and there, but I take advantage when I get a window and get what I can. They’re working hard and coming along.”
When asked who the hardest hitter on the defense has been so far at UM, Lingard didn’t hesitate to answer.
“Shaq Quarterman… Let’s just say I’ve been hit.”
Any predictions on week 1 vs. LSU?
“Man, it’s going to be a blowout, we going to win. The LSU moms are going to be packing their bags early and telling their sons ‘It’s okay, Johnny’, all that stuff.”
