Miami Hurricanes 2017 Signees: Grading the Offense

2017 National Signing Day has come and gone and 24 new Miami Hurricanes have inked their John Hancock on the doted line. How did Mark Richt’s first full class at Miami grade out?

QUARTERBACK

N’kosi Perry and Cade Weldon will be part of the quarterback competition in 2017. Miami has not seen two starting capable quarterbacks signed during the same cycle since 2008 when Miami signed Jacory Harris and Robert Marve. The quarterback haul for head coach Mark Richt was a good one and adds depth to the most important position on the field.

Perry is the heralded Vanguard high school record breaking quarterback that is rated as ESPN’s 3rd ranked dual threat QB in the country.

Coach Mark Richt praised Perry’s play-making ability, arm talent and also said, “He can run like a deer.” Perry does not benefit from the luxury of being an early enrollee, but he will get plenty of chances to show everyone why he was the overall number one recruit on Miami’s board come summer.

Weldon is the son of former Florida State and NFL quarterback Casey Weldon. The elder Weldon’s Quarterback coach at FSU was Richt. He has the huge advantage of being on campus already and is assimilating to the college life. Weldon has excellent refinement in his game and also posses the capability to extend plays with his feet running for close to 400 yards in high school this year.

Grade: A

RUNNING BACK

Robert Burns shows brilliant flashes on film. Unfortunately Burns film is limited due to fact he hasn’t played a full season since sophomore year. Burns was recently photographed on Miami’s campus in a walking boot and is still recovering from an injury.

This position group will have glaring depth concerns moving forward especially if Mark Walton opts for the NFL after the 2017 season.  Ultimately a late miss on running back Anthony McFarland from Maryland will hurt the class grade although Burns shows potential.

Grade: D