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From the Herald...
### Coach Al Golden said “the majority” of the freshmen will play. “You can’t be afraid to play young people,” he said. Fact is, UM needs them after being depleted by graduation and early departures.Expect freshmen to be major contributors at cornerback (Tracy Howard and at least one other), running back (Duke Johnson), defensive line (at least two) and likely, receiver (assuming one or two of the five freshmen beats out Kendal Thompkins for a spot in the rotation alongside Allan Hurns, Phillip Dorsett and Rashawn Scott).
Several have looked great in summer drills. Howard has returned interceptions for touchdowns and “is everything everyone makes him out to be,” running back Eduardo Clements said. “The footwork, the breaking on the balls.”Predictably, players have been impressed by Johnson, especially his quickness and elusiveness. “Wow! He’s a playmaker,” Clements said. Receivers Malcolm Lewis and Robert Lockhart also look ready to make a serious push for playing time. “Those two have stood out,” fullback Maurice Hagens said. “Both catch the ball very crisply and have learned the offense well.”
Receivers coach George McDonald said Lewis “makes people miss and is probably the fastest” of the five new receivers. UM offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch said Lockhart, a polished route-runner, “can be an impact player pretty quickly.”Coaches are eager to see the three other new receivers: Herb Waters (“once he catches the ball, there’s going to be a lot of yards,” Fisch said) and D’Mauri Jones and Jontavious Carter (a pair of 6-3 athletes with "great ability to go up in the air and catch it,” McDonald said). And Deon Bush, who can play corner but has been working at safety, “has really impressed me,” Clements said. “Deon grasps everything quickly.”
### Players have noticed this is a particularly conscientious, mature group of freshmen. Both Golden and Hagens have used the words “very serious” to describe them. As Hagens said, “They don’t want to play around.” All business, in other words.
### Fisch is carving out a diverse package for Johnson to take advantage of his unique talents, both as a runner and receiver. “Every time he runs, there’s a certain level of excitement,” UM running backs coach Terry Richardson said. “You look at the balance, the change of direction, the vision, the multiple ways he broke tackles” at Miami Norland. “You don’t always have to line him up in the backfield. You’ve got to get him the ball in different ways.”
UM’s other tailback signee, Danny Dillard, probably won’t know for awhile if he will be cleared academically to enroll. Other than receiver Angelo Jean-Louis, every other recruit has been cleared academically and is enrolled, UM says.
### Because there's no experienced depth at defensive end beyond Anthony Chickillo, Shayon Green and former linebacker Kelvin Cain, at least one freshman must emerge among Jelani Hamilton (“a game changer,” according to linebackers coach Micheal Barrow), Tyriq McCord, Dwayne Hoilett and Jake O’Donnell, with linebacker Gabe Terry also factoring in as a speed rusher (ran the 100 meters in 10.9 seconds).Chickillo predicts McCord will help immediately: “He’s going be a contributor to us on third down.” With Chickillo and McCord, this staff is making strong inroads in the Tampa area.
### UM is optimistic at least one tackle will help immediately from among Earl Moore, Jacoby Briscoe and Dequan Ivery. “Ivery is going to be an incredible nose guard for us,” Golden said. “Same with Briscoe.”Defensive coordinator Mark D’Onofrio said “Moore will be ready to play. He’s really strong.”
### UM is hopeful Raphael Kirby, off an impressive spring, can make the type of immediate impact that Denzel Perryman did last year. “He’s going to be tremendous – explosive with a great change of direction,” Barrow said.UM is curious to see what it can extract from Perry, who was "a true under the radar kid," Barrow said. "He came from Nebraska to Palm Beach in August. Shane McDermott said, 'We have a guy at my school who's pretty good.'' Josh Witt and Jawand Blue (the former Virginia Tech oral commitment) will also get a look at linebacker.
### Among January arrivals, nobody drew higher praise than Norland offensive tackle Ereck Flowers. UM coaches believe that eventually, he’s going to be exceptional.
### Defensive backs coach Paul Williams believes four incoming cornerbacks will be in his top six. Howard, assuredly, will be one, and early arrival Ladarius Gunter was UM’s third-best corner this spring behind Brandon McGee and Thomas Finnie, Williams says. Larry Hope, Vernon Davis, Nate Dortch and possibly Bush will also compete here. While Bush could play either position, UM sees Rayshawn Jenkins as its one definite safety in this incoming class.
### UM has high hopes, eventually, for quarterback David Thompson, who will miss three to six months after shoulder surgery. "It was a huge shock to David and his family and coaches," said his father Ed, who said the tear likely occured during a practice for the Semper Fedelis All-American game.Thompson, as you know, will try to juggle football and baseball after he gets healthy. Only a limited number of UM athletes have been able to pull that off especially well (Jim Maler, Maurice Crum, among them) and none recently. “Obviously, it’s not the easiest thing to not practice in the spring,” Fisch said. “It will be a challenge. He is going to have the handle the learning curve of playing quarterback. He’s a good decision maker and I like a lot of things about him.
### Realistically, there will be serious challenges for UM this season after the departure of a dynamic running back, two solid receivers, an exceptional college linebacker (Sean Spence) and four key defensive linemen, among others. These freshman cannot be expected to lead this program back to where the Canes want to be in their FIRST year. But the hope, internally, is they will form the nucleus of a top-20 caliber team in a year or two, and lift UM in ways the top-rated Class of 2008 could not. Time will tell.
### One other UM note: In the wake of an InsideTheU.com report that senior Ray-Ray Armstrong has been suspended indefinitely for discussing interaction with a booster on Twitter, his father Albert said he was told his son “is definitely” going to be on the team this season. “And he’s not turning pro.” Besides, the deadline for next week’s NFL supplemental draft has passed. Albert Armstrong said his son has not mentioned the suspension to him, and UM isn't confirming or denying the report, with staff on strict orders not to discuss it. Seantrel Henderson also disputed Internet speculation, insisting he’s not suspended and not in trouble. Henderson reportedly arrived one day late to the start of the second summer session, which isn't exactly egregious.
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/spor...ate-dolphins-marlins-notes.html#storylink=cpy
### Coach Al Golden said “the majority” of the freshmen will play. “You can’t be afraid to play young people,” he said. Fact is, UM needs them after being depleted by graduation and early departures.Expect freshmen to be major contributors at cornerback (Tracy Howard and at least one other), running back (Duke Johnson), defensive line (at least two) and likely, receiver (assuming one or two of the five freshmen beats out Kendal Thompkins for a spot in the rotation alongside Allan Hurns, Phillip Dorsett and Rashawn Scott).
Several have looked great in summer drills. Howard has returned interceptions for touchdowns and “is everything everyone makes him out to be,” running back Eduardo Clements said. “The footwork, the breaking on the balls.”Predictably, players have been impressed by Johnson, especially his quickness and elusiveness. “Wow! He’s a playmaker,” Clements said. Receivers Malcolm Lewis and Robert Lockhart also look ready to make a serious push for playing time. “Those two have stood out,” fullback Maurice Hagens said. “Both catch the ball very crisply and have learned the offense well.”
Receivers coach George McDonald said Lewis “makes people miss and is probably the fastest” of the five new receivers. UM offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch said Lockhart, a polished route-runner, “can be an impact player pretty quickly.”Coaches are eager to see the three other new receivers: Herb Waters (“once he catches the ball, there’s going to be a lot of yards,” Fisch said) and D’Mauri Jones and Jontavious Carter (a pair of 6-3 athletes with "great ability to go up in the air and catch it,” McDonald said). And Deon Bush, who can play corner but has been working at safety, “has really impressed me,” Clements said. “Deon grasps everything quickly.”
### Players have noticed this is a particularly conscientious, mature group of freshmen. Both Golden and Hagens have used the words “very serious” to describe them. As Hagens said, “They don’t want to play around.” All business, in other words.
### Fisch is carving out a diverse package for Johnson to take advantage of his unique talents, both as a runner and receiver. “Every time he runs, there’s a certain level of excitement,” UM running backs coach Terry Richardson said. “You look at the balance, the change of direction, the vision, the multiple ways he broke tackles” at Miami Norland. “You don’t always have to line him up in the backfield. You’ve got to get him the ball in different ways.”
UM’s other tailback signee, Danny Dillard, probably won’t know for awhile if he will be cleared academically to enroll. Other than receiver Angelo Jean-Louis, every other recruit has been cleared academically and is enrolled, UM says.
### Because there's no experienced depth at defensive end beyond Anthony Chickillo, Shayon Green and former linebacker Kelvin Cain, at least one freshman must emerge among Jelani Hamilton (“a game changer,” according to linebackers coach Micheal Barrow), Tyriq McCord, Dwayne Hoilett and Jake O’Donnell, with linebacker Gabe Terry also factoring in as a speed rusher (ran the 100 meters in 10.9 seconds).Chickillo predicts McCord will help immediately: “He’s going be a contributor to us on third down.” With Chickillo and McCord, this staff is making strong inroads in the Tampa area.
### UM is optimistic at least one tackle will help immediately from among Earl Moore, Jacoby Briscoe and Dequan Ivery. “Ivery is going to be an incredible nose guard for us,” Golden said. “Same with Briscoe.”Defensive coordinator Mark D’Onofrio said “Moore will be ready to play. He’s really strong.”
### UM is hopeful Raphael Kirby, off an impressive spring, can make the type of immediate impact that Denzel Perryman did last year. “He’s going to be tremendous – explosive with a great change of direction,” Barrow said.UM is curious to see what it can extract from Perry, who was "a true under the radar kid," Barrow said. "He came from Nebraska to Palm Beach in August. Shane McDermott said, 'We have a guy at my school who's pretty good.'' Josh Witt and Jawand Blue (the former Virginia Tech oral commitment) will also get a look at linebacker.
### Among January arrivals, nobody drew higher praise than Norland offensive tackle Ereck Flowers. UM coaches believe that eventually, he’s going to be exceptional.
### Defensive backs coach Paul Williams believes four incoming cornerbacks will be in his top six. Howard, assuredly, will be one, and early arrival Ladarius Gunter was UM’s third-best corner this spring behind Brandon McGee and Thomas Finnie, Williams says. Larry Hope, Vernon Davis, Nate Dortch and possibly Bush will also compete here. While Bush could play either position, UM sees Rayshawn Jenkins as its one definite safety in this incoming class.
### UM has high hopes, eventually, for quarterback David Thompson, who will miss three to six months after shoulder surgery. "It was a huge shock to David and his family and coaches," said his father Ed, who said the tear likely occured during a practice for the Semper Fedelis All-American game.Thompson, as you know, will try to juggle football and baseball after he gets healthy. Only a limited number of UM athletes have been able to pull that off especially well (Jim Maler, Maurice Crum, among them) and none recently. “Obviously, it’s not the easiest thing to not practice in the spring,” Fisch said. “It will be a challenge. He is going to have the handle the learning curve of playing quarterback. He’s a good decision maker and I like a lot of things about him.
### Realistically, there will be serious challenges for UM this season after the departure of a dynamic running back, two solid receivers, an exceptional college linebacker (Sean Spence) and four key defensive linemen, among others. These freshman cannot be expected to lead this program back to where the Canes want to be in their FIRST year. But the hope, internally, is they will form the nucleus of a top-20 caliber team in a year or two, and lift UM in ways the top-rated Class of 2008 could not. Time will tell.
### One other UM note: In the wake of an InsideTheU.com report that senior Ray-Ray Armstrong has been suspended indefinitely for discussing interaction with a booster on Twitter, his father Albert said he was told his son “is definitely” going to be on the team this season. “And he’s not turning pro.” Besides, the deadline for next week’s NFL supplemental draft has passed. Albert Armstrong said his son has not mentioned the suspension to him, and UM isn't confirming or denying the report, with staff on strict orders not to discuss it. Seantrel Henderson also disputed Internet speculation, insisting he’s not suspended and not in trouble. Henderson reportedly arrived one day late to the start of the second summer session, which isn't exactly egregious.
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/spor...ate-dolphins-marlins-notes.html#storylink=cpy
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