By Matt Porter
CORAL GABLES — The Hurricanes knew they would lean on their star tailback, Duke Johnson, this fall.
They also knew their quarterback would be either graduate student Jake Heaps or true freshman Brad Kaaya.
That decision has been made.
Kaaya will get the start when UM opens the season at Louisville next Monday (8 p.m., ESPN), UM coach Al Golden said.
A calm, confident 18-year-old from the suburbs west of Los Angeles, Kaaya impressed coaches and teammates when he arrived at UM in May.
Physically, he stood taller (6-foot-4, 206 pounds) than the rest of the quarterbacks attempting to supplant injured former starter Ryan Williams. But Kaaya’s calm demeanor in the pocket and voracious study habits off the field gave his coaches confidence he could handle the job.
Kaaya had a decorated career at West Hills (Calif.) Chaminade High, throwing for 3,855 yards, 27 touchdowns and six interceptions as a senior. Chaminade (14-2) won the first state title in its 61-year history.
UM offensive coordinator James Coley was the first coach to extend him a scholarship offer. Kaaya committed to UM in May 2013 and was rated the No. 8 pro-style quarterback in his by Rivals.com. He never wavered from UM, though UCLA, USC, Stanford and Boise State recruited him hard.
Kaaya, who wears No. 15, has more talent around him than most true freshmen playing in their first college game. Johnson, a junior, is considered one of the top running backs in the country. UM’s receiving corps has speedy veterans Phillip Dorsett and Herb Waters and young standout Stacy Coley, a freshman All-American last year. The offensive line, for the most part, is large and experienced.
During the team’s stretching period Sunday, the Hurricanes’ official first day of preparation for Louisville, Kaaya lined up in the front of the offense. Behind him was Johnson, who wears No. 8.
Call it the Kaaya-Ocho offense. And if it succeeds, Hurricanes fans from Little Havana to Fort Lauderdale to the corners of the country will be celebrating.
Four promoted: Several Hurricanes moved up in the ranks of the backfield and the front seven.
Sophomore tailback Gus Edwards supplanted freshman Joseph Yearby as Duke Johnson’s backup at tailback. Senior defensive tackle Olsen Pierre and sophomore rush end Al-Quadin Muhammad were given black jerseys (defensive team leaders), as well as freshman strong-side linebacker Darrion Owens.
Edwards was given an orange practice jersey, given to offensive team leaders, while Yearby lost his. Yearby drew praise throughout camp from the coaching staff. Expect both to receive plenty of carries behind Johnson.
Pierre had a quiet start to camp but came on strong at the end, batting down several passes in drills and 11-on-11 play. Muhammad surpassed freshman Trent Harris, who spent a large portion of camp in black. Owens, meanwhile, entered camp as the first-teamer, but was passed by senior Thurston Armbrister.
Others in orange: Johnson, sophomore wide receiver Stacy Coley, junior left tackle Ereck Flowers, redshirt sophomore receiver Malcolm Lewis, senior receiver Phillip Dorsett, senior tight end Clive Walford, sophomore tight end Stan Dobard, senior left guard Jon Feliciano, senior center Shane McDermott, freshman right tackle Kc McDermott, redshirt sophomore right guard Danny Isidora and walk-on senior fullback Ronnie Regula.
Others in black: linebacker Denzel Perryman, senior defensive end Anthony Chickillo, junior defensive tackle Calvin Heurtelou, junior safety Dallas Crawford, junior linebacker Nantambu Fentress and sophomore cornerback Corn Elder.
Injury updates: Senior wide receiver Rashawn Scott remains in street clothes. A source said Scott is expected to miss four to six weeks with a shoulder/collarbone injury. … junior defensive tackle Corey King was in yellow (limited contact).
Scout team: Several notable players who were running on the scout team Sunday, the first day of Louisville prep: freshman running back Trayone Gray, who wearing No. 10 in order to emulate Louisville’s Dominique Brown … freshman rush end Demetrius Jackson, playing the role of Lorenzo Mauldin … junior defensive tackle Jelani Hamilton (B.J. Dubose) … freshman defensive tackle Anthony Moten (DeAngelo Brown) … walk-on quarterback Isaac Hoza played the role of expected Cardinals starter Will Gardner.
