We got more of a look at the 2020 Miami Hurricanes today, as the media was allowed to take in a full practice, which lasted about an hour and a half. The team was again in helmets and shorts, so take everything with a grain of salt, but I was able to takeaway a more than a few tidbits from Tuesday’s session.
-The overarching difference from last year? The pace on offense, which was rapid and constant in between reps throughout the day. Coaches made it a point to get on players that walked off the field and might have disrupted the next play.
-I thought the star of the day was D’Eriq King, who took most of the first team reps at QB today. He was working all levels of the field, and in particular had impressive deep shots for TD’s in 11-on-11 work to Dee Wiggins, Mark Pope, and Keyshawn Smith. King even made his presence felt on the ground scrambling away from pressure multiple times to extend plays. On one play, he scrambled right, evaded a defender, and lobbed a rainbow just over a defenders head to Mark Pope on the sidelines for about 20 yards. The Canes have yet to officially name a starter at QB, but today could mark the beginning of King running away with the job.
-Another interesting takeaway at QB was that Tyler Van Dyke was the second QB to get on the field in 11-on-11 work, as the freshman led the second team offense over N’Kosi Perry. Of course, that could be a one day thing, but it is something to take note of for sure. Van Dyke wasn’t nearly as impressive as King but had a few nice throws as well, and also showed he had some wheels to scramble and get out of the pocket if necessary. Perry was 3rd up; he had a great throw on a deep out to Mike Harley at one point. 4th was Tate Martell and 5th was Peyton Matocha; neither stood out much today, with Martell throwing a bad pick to Keontra Smith on one play.
-The offensive line wasn’t opening many holes on the ground, so the running back group didn’t have much room to run. Robert Burns took the first snaps in 11-on-11, but Cam Harris probably had the most impressive run of the day, busting up the gut behind DJ Scaife for a good 20-25 yard pickup.
-The story of the day at receiver were the freshmen, each of whom made multiple plays. The biggest day went to Keyshawn Smith though, as the Californian got behind the defense multiple times in 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 play. He also whipped Al Blades pretty bad in 1-on-1’s. Dazalin Worsham showed skills as a smooth route runner, and Xavier Restrepo was a dynamo in the slot, in particular taking a swing screen and making a few people miss for a nice gain. Ultimately, these guys certainly have the ability to play early.
-Not to be left out, the starting receivers made a ton of plays too. Dee Wiggins toasted Christian Williams deep for a TD, and both Mike Harley and Mark Pope worked the middle of the field all day. Tight end Will Mallory got into the action as well, and he created huge separation from Amari Carter on a crossing route for a TD. This certainly has the look of a very receiver-friendly offense in the early going.
-The offensive line experienced a ton of rotation early in the day, but by the end of the day, the offense began multiple sessions in the same way, so I’m pretty confident in saying this was the line Miami likes as of Day 2 of spring. First team from left to right was Campbell-Traore-Gaynor-Scaife-Nelson/Herbert; Nelson and Herbert were still switching back and forth at right tackle regularly by the end of practice. Overall, the line wasn’t great in run blocking, but was a little better in pass protection, and that was aided by the scrambling ability of King.
-On the DL, Jaelan Phillips, with the second team, sacked N’Kosi Perry in 11-on-11. Jordan Miller also blew up a fullback dive in the backfield, while Jon Ford shot a gap to force a King throwaway. Greg Rousseau continues to look like a force, as he dismantled a screen play from the get-go as well.
-Keontra Smith began his transition to striker from safety, mostly working on the second team behind Gilbert Frierson. By the end of practice, though, Smith was even getting first team reps, and he had the aforementioned interception of Martell, jumping an underneath route. Strong day for the sophomore. Zach McCloud looked stout in the middle as well and had a strong PBU on King, stepping in front of a slant and rising up high to bat away the ball.
-Christian Williams got introduced to the first unit at corner today by Dee Wiggins, who promptly took him deep for a TD on the first play of 7-on-7. I thought Williams recovered nicely after that though and had an above average day at corner, even picking off a pass later in the day. Amari Carter in particular looked to be a step quicker from last year and was a bit better in space than usual today, breaking up a pass intended for Mallory at one point.
-On special teams, Keyshawn Smith, Cam Harris, Mark Pope, and Jaylan Knighton were rotating at kick returner to start, and Xavier Restrepo got some looks as well later on.
Injury Update
-TE Brevin Jordan showed up at the end of practice in a boot on his left foot. S Bubba Bolden (ankle) dressed but continues to do work off to the side; he also seemed to be taking mental reps and watching on in the middle of the field with the coaches giving him the calls at one point as well. Freshman LB Corey Flagg was walking around gingerly with a brace on his left knee. OL Navaughn Donaldson was moving a bit better with only a sleeve on his left knee.
Notable 1-on-1‘s
-DJ Ivey stuck with Pope
-Christian Williams stuck with Wiggins deep
-Keyshawn Smith beat Blades
-Couch beat Payton
-Keontra Smith beat Larry Hodges
-Dominic Mammarelli beat Keshawn Washington
-Harley beat Gurvan Hall
1st Team Offense
QB: D’Eriq King
RB: Robert Burns
WR: Dee Wiggins
WR: Mark Pope
Slot: Mike Harley
TE: Will Mallory
LT: John Campbell
LG: Ousman Traore
C: Corey Gaynor
RG: DJ Scaife
RT: Kai-Leon Herbert/Zion Nelson
2nd Team Offense
QB: Tyler Van Dyke
RB: Cam Harris
WR: Jeremiah Payton
WR: Dazalin Worsham
Slot: Marshall Few
TE: Larry Hodges
LT: Zalon’tae Hillery
LG: Jalen Rivers
C: Jakai Clark
RG: Cleveland Reed
RT: Kai-Leon Herbert/Zion Nelson
First Team Defense
DE: Gregory Rousseau
DT: Jalar Holley
DT: Nesta Silvera
DE: Quincy Roche
WILL: Ryan Ragone
MIKE: Zach McCloud
STRK: Gilbert Frierson
CB: Christian Williams
CB: DJ Ivey
S: Gurvan Hall
S: Amari Carter
2nd Team Defense
DE: Jaelan Phillips
DT: Jon Ford
DT: Jared Harrison-Hunte
DE: Jahfari Harvey
WILL: Avery Huff
MIKE: Patrick Joyner
STRK: Keontra Smith
CB: Te’Cory Couch
CB: Al Blades
S: Keshawn Washington
S: Andrew Barnes
