Miami Hurricanes Spring Practices: Four and Five Review

The Miami Hurricanes finished up their fifth practice of the spring on Thursday. They will finish up a busy week with their sixth spring practice on Saturday.

The Hurricanes took to the Greentree Practice fields on Thursday for their fifth practice of the spring. The offensive line was one of focuses on Thursday.

The Hurricanes had some issues on the offensive line in 2016 with players often having to shuffle into new positions because of injuries. Mark Richt and offensive line coach Stacy Searels have been pleased with the play of that group this spring. Searels spoke about how they coming along.

"“I like the group, and the group that will be here in the fall…I like that our numbers will be back up. There ought to be a lot of competition once we get everybody back out here.”"

Freshman lineman Nauvaugh Donaldson enrolled in January and is one of Miami’s biggest recruits literally and figuratively. He has been getting glowing reports in spring practice.

There is a strong chance that Donaldson can unseat one of the veterans for a starting job at either tackle or guard. Returning starter Trevor Darling spoke about one of his newest teammates.

"“I feel like he’s doing a good job of picking up the plays…Because, as a freshman, he’s getting it down pretty quick, when it comes to the plays and stuff. I think that is a good thing that he actually came in early.”"

The Hurricanes have most of their offensive line returning in 2017. Searels spoke about the veterans on the offensive line and the increase in depth that they will have this year.

"“We should have 16 kids on scholarship, once the fall gets here…16 kids that compete, and a lot of the guys that played ball, and are capable of playing winning football. So I do think we will have more depth.”"

The veterans have been working hard with the possibility of being pushed for starting spots once fall camp commences in a few months. The offensive linemen have been working on the sled and supplemental and conditioning work.

Darling discussed the work he and his teammates have been putting in after practice.

"“It makes us closer as a group because we end up pushing each other and talking to each other to get through it,” “So I feel like it makes us closer as a group.”"

Putting in the work in the spring helps to pay dividends in the fall. In Miami, that means practicing in the heat. Searels spoke about what that means for his unit.

"“I don’t think it’s that hot, because it’s going to be a lot hotter in August. It really is, really, really nice compared to last spring, when it was murderously hot… We need extra work – one, to make sure we are focused, we aren’t always focused the way we need to be. Two, a couple guys need some extra conditioning. Three, we need to figure out how hard we can actually push ourselves. And just being mentally tough, I think, is as important as anything.”"

In addition to reinforcing the offensive line up front with the freshman who are and will be joining the team this fall, the Hurricanes will also add LSU transfer George Brown who has been improving this spring. Darling discussed the improvement that Brown has shown.

"“George has gotten a lot better and he’s a lot more focused on the details,” Darling said. “So he is doing a lot better than he was before.”"

Miami’s offensive line is a versatile group. The have been moving some of the players around to see where they will fit when fall camp starts. Searels said:

"“This spring some guys are moving around a little bit; some new positions,” he said. “It’s a very fluid first five, I guess you would say, on where they are aligned. So, we have a lot of ways to go.”"

Fifteen Miami Hurricanes went through Pro Day on Wednesday. Among the attendees watching the workouts was five-time Super Bowl winning coach Bill Belichick. Mark Richt spoke about the outlook for his players on ProDay.

"“We’re allowing all the guys that played here at Miami, that are in their first draft-eligible year, those are the guys that are going to be here doing it…As a matter of fact, I’m about to have lunch with just about every one of them, kind of a pregame meal. I’m going to tell them how much we love them and appreciate them and wish them the best.”"