Q1: Miami is coming off a 7-6 season with a new head coach, offensive coordinator, and QB. How are you feeling about the team's offseason in general heading into the showdown against UF on Saturday?
I'm super excited to have Manny at the helm. He did everything right in the offseason in my eyes and rejuvenated the fan base. I think heading into this game if nothing else, Manny will have his guys prepared to play and playing with passion.
Q2: What are your expectations for Jarren Williams at QB this season?
Jarren will make people forget that he's a freshman. He will play with poise and show of the accuracy that everyone raves about. He'll take his lumps for sure when the Offensive line have their moments. But overall will be a major upgrade from what we had the last 2 years.
Q3: What do you see as the Canes' biggest strength?
Pass catchers. The weapons that we have on this offense are ready to show out. We know what guys like JT4 and Brevin can do, but now add KJ Osborn and Will Mallory and the sophomore trio of Pope, Hightower and Wiggins. I'm very excited about how explosive this offense can potentially be.
Q4: What do you see as the Canes' most glaring weakness?
Obvious answer here is O-Line but I'm actually gonna go DT. Pat Bethel has been just average his whole career. And Jon Ford we're hoping that he takes that next step, but we don't know. Behind them we have Nnoruka and a lot of young guys but it remains to be seen if we can create interior disruption which helps makes this defense what it is.
Q5: Who's your breakout player on Offense and why?
Will Mallory. A mismatch nightmare with his size and athleticism. I think the duo of Mallory/Jordan can be an even better version of Njoku/Herndon and that's saying a lot.
Q6: Who's your breakout player on Defense and why?
Gurvan Hall. He's everything you want in a safety. Range, physicality, instinctive and just has that Miami Hurricane attitude.
Q7: Who's your freshman of the year and why?
Zion Nelson. This kid has done nothing but impress everyone and exceed expectations since day 1. The fact that he worked so hard in the weight room in putting on 45+ pounds in the offseason to how he took control of that LT spot in the spring and never looked back. I think there's just something different about him. I say he makes the Freshman All-American team at the end of the season.
Q8: Who is the player Miami can least afford to lose this season?
Shaq Quarterman. The leader of the defense at a position where we are super thin. We can't afford to lose him or Pinkney or anyone else at LB for that matter. It's all hands on deck.
Q9: Aside from UF and FSU, which game will be key for Miami to win this season?
At Pitt. Miami plays it's entire season in either Florida or North Carolina. The only time we leave those two states is to go to Pitt. I know they lost their top two rushers and won the coastal by default last year, BUT they are technically the defending coastal champs and the saying goes "in order to be the champ, you must beat the champ". Plus road conference games are almost never a cake walk and then add to the fact that the following week is in Tallahassee, it kind of sets up to be a trap game.
Q10: Lastly, what's your prediction for the W/L record for Miami this season?
11 - 1. Call me a delusional fan but I think we beat both UF and FSU this year. I think we probably stumble somewhere against either UVA or Pitt but the schedule sets up for a really nice year. We give Clemson a competitive game in ACCCG and win the Orange Bowl.
