Summer Additions: Peyton Matocha (2019 signee)
Summer Departures: None
For the first time in a long time there is a legitimate quarterback competition at the U. Three quarterbacks are jockeying for position and one thing is immediately certain, the three horse race will soon become two. Then there will be a photo finish at Camping World Stadium in Orlando as the Hurricanes are set to battle the University of Florida on August 24th.
N'Kosi Perry played in 11 games last year including six starts (4-2 as a starter). Although Perry came in rated as the sixth best quarterback at his position out of Vanguard High School in Ocala, Perry simply was not consistent enough.
Perry did lead the team in passing yards last year with 1,091 and threw 13 touchdowns vs. six interceptions. The highlight for Perry would have to be his orchestrated masterpiece when he conducted four touchdowns in a come from behind thriller vs Florida State. But crescendo turned calamitous a week later when he was pulled early in his first ever road start vs. Virginia. After Perry threw his second first half interception on an admittedly miscommunication to Mike Harley, Richt grabbed the hook. This quintessentially was a turning point for the remainder of the 2018 season.
Physically gifted and talented beyond measure on the field, Perry was at times maligned off of it. Suspended for the week opener vs. LSU, Perry was part of a quarterback room that saw all of its members suspended, minus one. There was also some rumblings behind the scenes that his acumen for film study and preparation were lacking.
Enter a new sheriff in town: "El Jefe" Manny Diaz who instituted a new order and voiced a declarative proclamation. There would now be a higher premium on the quarterback position. Shots fired and it looks like Perry seemed to have gotten the message. In an interview with the Sun Sentinel's Christy Chirinos, Perry was quoted:
“Like you said, it’s 24/7. Or like Coach Diaz said. It’s 24/7, 365 days of the year. You’re always working. You’re always a quarterback. Everyone is going to look at you as the quarterback. So you have to be on your Ps and Qs at all times. … I definitely learned from experience. I definitely learned [from last season] and I understand that it wasn’t acceptable for me and especially for my teammates. I feel like I disrespected them and I let them down. I don’t want to do that anymore.”
Perry you are absolutely correct. You shouldn't do that anymore. If Perry is going to be the guy and usher a second chapter in his University of Miami quarterbacking career, one thing is apparent: last year's version needs to stay there. Last year's version needs to be neatly, pristine and quietly folded, stored away in a drawer called “Forgotten” and never seen again. A N'Kosi Perry 2.0 needs to emerge.
Jarren Williams was a consensus four-star recruit who was highly coveted out of Gwinnett high school in Georgia. The peach state is undeniably the hot bed of quarterback talent these days and Williams bolstered the claim by spring boarding to a consensus top ten quarterback designation his senior year. A smooth and effortless deliver of the football, Williams is definitely a talented quarterback who deserves to have his name mentioned in this race.
Williams maintained his redshirt status because of the new efficient rules employed by the NCAA. Yet Williams still only saw very limited action in a blow out win vs FCS Savannah State. Williams is credited with only one completion and one rushing touchdown last season. The limited playing time could have led to some reported motivational issues as well. There was even a push up bet he had with then quarterback coach Jon Richt on whoever could get more in shape.
Williams would end the season amidst a cloud of transfer rumors and at a certain point, it seemed like a forgone conclusion that his Miami career would be enveloped by the portal. Williams will have to shed that stigma of potentially leaving and adorn the dogma of ten toes deep, regardless of outcome, if he is ever to be the starter here. My biggest concern is when the dust settles and if Williams is not the starter this year, does he stay and continue to battle for future opportunities here? I know what my gut tells me. He already flirted with her once.
Tate Martell is #TNM. Manny popularized the moniker. Let's also remember that while Diaz was re-branding Miami, he was simultaneously having an incendiary run within the portal and setting it completely ablaze. And Manny's prized gem removed from the Hades-esque depths of the portal inferno (also known as college's new appropriated free agency) was Martell.
Martell was brought in to invigorate the room and provide legitimate tertiary competition. This Netflix star, this IG model-dating swag magnet, never lost a single game in high school, going 43-0. But after a coaching change at that little school in Columbus, Martell was searching for a new home. What better home than the "NEW" Miami (Martell finished his OSU career 23-28 with 269 passing yards and 128 rushing yards).
If you want a quarterback that represents Manny Diaz, it's Tate. One invented a turnover chain, the other invented the twitter follow. They are both ostentatious and come in with heightened fanfare. The Cuban Jimmy Johnson and the Miami Baker Mayfield. If you think one of the other quarterbacks on Miami's roster identifies to the head coach closer, then why did Manny go in the portal for a quarterback in the first place?
There was nothing the other two quarterbacks on the roster last year represented that was #TNM. It was sub-par, uneven play without the hint of continual success or longevity. That is old hat. And even though Tate has that new car smell and very well could provide the spark this program so desperately needs, this isn't a popularity contest, it's a quarterback one.
2019 signee Peyton Matocha arrived over the summer, but he’s an almost certain redshirt candidate. His best case scenario will be to soak up all he can this season from Enos and his veteran teammates and put himself in a position to compete in 2020 and beyond.
Bottom Line
Although three quarterbacks are clearly in position to make claim for a starter, I will introduce a fourth one as the most important. And that of course is quarterback coach and former Michigan State quarterback Dan Enos. His ability to "Coach ‘em up" and tailor make this offense to whoever the quarterback might be is the most important factor for this race moving forward.
This partnership between Enos and starter needs to be harmoniously joined in an effortless matrimony. This can no longer be a situation where a rigid-based offense neuters Miami's skill. This can no longer be a situation where a quarterback limits his offensive coordinator by clear and apparent limitations or immaturity off the field. Miami has been plagued by one or the other for years now. And if this is truly "The New Miami" it needs to try something new. The old Miami doesn't work anymore.
