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After Thursday’s drills, Miami Hurricanes offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee took some time to discuss the progress of his offense this spring, beginning with the young quarterbacks in Tyler Van Dyke, Jake Garcia, and Peyton Matocha.
“They’ve all progressed well, and you’d hope that because they’re all getting more reps than they’ve ever gotten,” Lashlee said. “Van Dyke may be the most experienced one we have. He’s improved a lot more from where he was last year. And he should be more comfortable. Matocha is getting more reps than he’s ever gotten and done some really nice things. And then you’ve got Jake Garcia, he’s really supposed to still be in high school, going to prom. For a freshman, he showed great poise and calmness, done really well.
“They make a lot mistakes, that’s what spring ball is for, but done a good job of not repeating mistakes, which is promising. Hopefully tomorrow night they take that next step. At the end of the day, are we moving the offense or not is the biggest deal. They’ve all gotten better and should because they’re getting more reps than they’ve ever gotten.”
Lashlee also gave an update on the recovery of QB D’Eriq King, although he noted King’s status is mostly the same as it was at the beginning of spring.
“I don’t think a whole lot has changed from what coach (Manny) Diaz and myself have said,” Lashlee said. “He’s doing excellent, is doing what we thought he’d do as far as exceeding expectations. He’s in a really good place mentally, physically. Our team is doing a really good job medically, in the rehab process. We feel really good about where he is. There’s no point rushing anything.”
The Hurricanes are looking to use this spring to develop some WR depth behind returning leading receiver Mike Harley, and Lashlee said the group has impressed at times in camp.
“I’m not going to highlight one, it’s not fair to anybody and not accurate,” Lashlee said of the receivers. “All of them are doing some good things, have areas to improve on. I do like a guy like Harley’s leadership. He’s trying to be a leader for us. You look at a guy like Xavier (Restrepo) who just gives you everything he has, lays it on the line. He plays so hard the ball finds him. I feel really good about (Charleston) Rambo and (Dee) Wiggins and Keyshawn (Smith) and even (Mark) Pope and all those guys. They’re all doing some really good things.
“It’s a process, we’re a work in progress. We’re on the right track, but there’s a lot of work to be done.”
Miami has rolled with a three RB approach this spring, as Don Chaney, Cam Harris, and Jaylan Knighton have all seen reps with the first team, although Lashlee says he would prefer to settle on one primary back for the 2021 season.
“It’s just my philosophy in general (to have a primary RB),” Lashlee said. “The running back has got to get in a rhythm, you have to have some consistency. That doesn’t mean all three won’t be important and maybe young guys (too). It’s an easy headline `There’s one.’ That’s not the case. Others can have a role.
“At the end of the day, in a game situation, it’s not a must (to have a primary RB) - there may be a game next year nobody has 20 carries. You want to let guys get in a rhythm - another guy may have a different role but he comes in and is fresh. A guy on third down. The competition has been great. We feel blessed to have three guys we think can all earn that starting spot and if something happens to whoever earns that starting spot, those guys can hop up and we wouldn’t miss a beat.”
While the Canes broke off more than a few big runs in 2020, there were also too many runs that went for zero or negative yardage, and Lashlee would like to see UM be more consistent running the ball on a play-by-play basis moving forward.
“Last year wasn’t as consistent as we needed (in the run game),” Lashlee said. “That’s a point of emphasis, trying to be more consistent running the football.”
The Canes are banged up at tight end this spring, as presumed starter Will Mallory is out with a shoulder injury, while Dominic Mammarelli and Elijah Arroyo have missed time as well, and Lashlee was asked if that has held back the run game at all.
“We’re thin there (at TE), but it hasn’t held back our progress trying to run the football,” Lashlee said. “Michael Parrott is a tight end/fullback, does a nice job, we have Will Huggins, have some bodies and they’re doing a nice job. They might not be your typical tight end bodies, but those guys are doing a good job.”
Miami’s second spring scrimmage will take place Friday (4/9) night, and Lashlee gave his take on what he’ll be looking for from his unit.
“Just go out and play,” Lashlee said. “Practices have been really competitive. Our defense is playing with a great edge, flying around, a lot of give and take. That’s what makes you better. You just want to see how guys handle being in the stadium, if they act any different. We want to be physical, fast, continue to execute. We’re not overwhelming them with a ton of scheme, just execute good football plays.”
“They’ve all progressed well, and you’d hope that because they’re all getting more reps than they’ve ever gotten,” Lashlee said. “Van Dyke may be the most experienced one we have. He’s improved a lot more from where he was last year. And he should be more comfortable. Matocha is getting more reps than he’s ever gotten and done some really nice things. And then you’ve got Jake Garcia, he’s really supposed to still be in high school, going to prom. For a freshman, he showed great poise and calmness, done really well.
“They make a lot mistakes, that’s what spring ball is for, but done a good job of not repeating mistakes, which is promising. Hopefully tomorrow night they take that next step. At the end of the day, are we moving the offense or not is the biggest deal. They’ve all gotten better and should because they’re getting more reps than they’ve ever gotten.”
Lashlee also gave an update on the recovery of QB D’Eriq King, although he noted King’s status is mostly the same as it was at the beginning of spring.
“I don’t think a whole lot has changed from what coach (Manny) Diaz and myself have said,” Lashlee said. “He’s doing excellent, is doing what we thought he’d do as far as exceeding expectations. He’s in a really good place mentally, physically. Our team is doing a really good job medically, in the rehab process. We feel really good about where he is. There’s no point rushing anything.”
The Hurricanes are looking to use this spring to develop some WR depth behind returning leading receiver Mike Harley, and Lashlee said the group has impressed at times in camp.
“I’m not going to highlight one, it’s not fair to anybody and not accurate,” Lashlee said of the receivers. “All of them are doing some good things, have areas to improve on. I do like a guy like Harley’s leadership. He’s trying to be a leader for us. You look at a guy like Xavier (Restrepo) who just gives you everything he has, lays it on the line. He plays so hard the ball finds him. I feel really good about (Charleston) Rambo and (Dee) Wiggins and Keyshawn (Smith) and even (Mark) Pope and all those guys. They’re all doing some really good things.
“It’s a process, we’re a work in progress. We’re on the right track, but there’s a lot of work to be done.”
Miami has rolled with a three RB approach this spring, as Don Chaney, Cam Harris, and Jaylan Knighton have all seen reps with the first team, although Lashlee says he would prefer to settle on one primary back for the 2021 season.
“It’s just my philosophy in general (to have a primary RB),” Lashlee said. “The running back has got to get in a rhythm, you have to have some consistency. That doesn’t mean all three won’t be important and maybe young guys (too). It’s an easy headline `There’s one.’ That’s not the case. Others can have a role.
“At the end of the day, in a game situation, it’s not a must (to have a primary RB) - there may be a game next year nobody has 20 carries. You want to let guys get in a rhythm - another guy may have a different role but he comes in and is fresh. A guy on third down. The competition has been great. We feel blessed to have three guys we think can all earn that starting spot and if something happens to whoever earns that starting spot, those guys can hop up and we wouldn’t miss a beat.”
While the Canes broke off more than a few big runs in 2020, there were also too many runs that went for zero or negative yardage, and Lashlee would like to see UM be more consistent running the ball on a play-by-play basis moving forward.
“Last year wasn’t as consistent as we needed (in the run game),” Lashlee said. “That’s a point of emphasis, trying to be more consistent running the football.”
The Canes are banged up at tight end this spring, as presumed starter Will Mallory is out with a shoulder injury, while Dominic Mammarelli and Elijah Arroyo have missed time as well, and Lashlee was asked if that has held back the run game at all.
“We’re thin there (at TE), but it hasn’t held back our progress trying to run the football,” Lashlee said. “Michael Parrott is a tight end/fullback, does a nice job, we have Will Huggins, have some bodies and they’re doing a nice job. They might not be your typical tight end bodies, but those guys are doing a good job.”
Miami’s second spring scrimmage will take place Friday (4/9) night, and Lashlee gave his take on what he’ll be looking for from his unit.
“Just go out and play,” Lashlee said. “Practices have been really competitive. Our defense is playing with a great edge, flying around, a lot of give and take. That’s what makes you better. You just want to see how guys handle being in the stadium, if they act any different. We want to be physical, fast, continue to execute. We’re not overwhelming them with a ton of scheme, just execute good football plays.”
