Miami Hurricanes Spring Practice: Day Six Review
The Miami Hurricanes took to the practice fields of Greentree. They have dealt with the heat all week. They practiced for two hours on Saturday
Defensive lineman Joe Jackson was part of an exceptional freshmen class for the Hurricanes in 2016. He led the team with 7.5 sacks and finished second with 10.5 tackles for loss.
He was able to accomplish that as a backup. With Chad Thomas and Trent Harris in front of him at the end spots, that is not likely to change this season. Jackson spoke about how spring practice was going so far.
"“Hot, but you know we’re having a good time, especially on the defensive side,” sophomore defensive lineman Joe Jackson said. “We’re just coming out to compete every day. We got a lot of new people, a lot of new talent, so it makes it harder to see who’s going to start, who’s not going to start.”"
Miami’s defense will be strong in 2017, particularly the front seven. If the Hurricanes are going to improve on their 2016 season, the offense is going to have to be more consistent. Wide receiver Braxton Berrios talked about the quarterback competition and how the offense is doing in spring practice.
"“It’s been going well…There’s a great competition at QB right now, which makes everything a lot better, I think, but from day one to day six there’s a tremendous improvement coming from all phases of the offense.”"
The Miami receiving core will have a different look in 2017. The Hurricanes lost leading receivers David Njoku and Stacy Coley. Four of their top six receivers have moved on. Rising Sophomore Dionte Mullins has been one of the most impressive pass catchers this spring according to Head Coach Mark Richt.
"“Today in particular and it was a very hot day by the way…I saw him push past the first rep of the drill, and having juice, and the second rep not so much and third rep he looked tired. I know that [wide receivers] coach [Ron] Dugans has been onto him about that. And we have all been talking to everybody about that.“You have to be able to play the second, the third play, a fourth play if it’s a four-play rack. And I saw him really pushing and actually trying to enjoy the day. I love energy and I love enthusiasm too, and he had both today.”"
Mullins was one of the key recruits in 2016, but only contributed on special teams in 2016.
"“I feel like I’ve improved on my route running, but I still keep working on my eye coordination,” he said. “It’s pretty good, but I’m still working on it. I’m not trying to be average.”"
When practice wrapped up UM had a coaches clinic. One hundred coaches attended and had lunch with the players and coaches. After lunch Practice Like Pros had a presentation and then the high school coaches broke down into sessions with the Miami staff. Richt spoke about the importance of having the high school coaches on campus.
"“We want the high school coaches to come and watch our practices as close as they want to get,” Richt said. “It is a good day for them and we are thankful we had a good turnout.”"
Next: Where Does Ahmmon Richards Rank Among College Football’s Best Receivers?
The Hurricanes have Sunday and Monday off before getting back to practice on Tuesday at Greentree.