In a poll taken for spring practice by Canes Warning, Miami Hurricanes fans are intrigued the most by who will be the starting quarterback.
The Miami Hurricanes did not stage a spring game this year. They held three scrimmages that were not open to the public. We posed the question to the fans “What are you watching for most with Miami’s spring practice?”.
The multiple choice answers were provided were running back depth, how the freshmen perform, who emerges at quarterback and rebuilding the secondary.
Who emerges at Quarterback was the overwhelming choice. The eyes on the quarterback got 76 percent of 197 votes.
Replacing Brad Kaaya was a big discussion throughout the spring. It will remain one the major topics of discussion when the Hurricanes gather for the season in camp later this summer.
What are you watching for most with Miami's spring practice?
— Canes Warning (@CanesWarningFS) March 23, 2017
Miami Head Coach Mark Richt anointed Malik Rosier and Evan Sheriffs as the co-number ones when they broke after spring practice. Miami lost redshirt freshmen Jack Allison after the spring.
Allison decided to transfer to West Virginia. He was reportedly influenced by Richt wanting to utilize the run-pass option more often in the future.
Related Story: Miami Hurricanes QB Jack Allison to Transfer
Freshmen N’Kosi Perry is the wild card at quarterback. Richt is going to give Perry every chance to be the starting quarterback this fall. He is going to have to earn it and prove he’s ready to play. Richt told ESPN last month:
"“He’s got to learn what he can do before he competes,” Richt said. “You don’t want to throw a guy in before he’s ready, and he’s got to outperform these other guys. A lot of people think I’m saying N’Kosi’s going to be the guy. But really, all I’m saying is I’m going to give him a chance to be the guy."
The running back depth is the biggest concern among the other three choices. The Hurricanes only have four on their roster. Despite the lack of depth only three percent of the fans were interested in seeing how the running backs were going to emerge in the spring.
Mark Walton is the unquestioned starter. Behind him is little experience. Travis Homer had only seven carries for 44 yards as a freshman last season. Trayone Gray has 29 carries for 169 yards and three touchdowns in his career. Gray missed all of last season with a torn ACL.
The fourth running back on the depth chart is freshman Robert Burns. Burns comes to Miami after an injury-plagued high school career.
Miami lost three of their four starters in the secondary from last season. Only nine percent of the fans were interested in seeing how the secondary would perform this spring. Safety Jaquan Johnson is the only returning starter.
At the cornerbacks, the Hurricanes added experience at the corners. Dee Delaney is a Senior Graduate transfer from the Citadel. Jhavtone Dean will be the starter on the opposite side. Dean is a transfer from Blinn Junior College who had also been considering Alabama.
Sophomore Romeo Finley is the likely starter at the rover position. Malek Young had an outstanding Freshman season in 2016. The Hurricanes also bring in a bevy of freshmen who will challenge for playing time this season.
This year’s freshmen class is not going to be as good as the incoming class of 2018. In spite of that, there are some intriguing prospects.
Next: Brad Kaaya Named QB Biggest Steal in 2017 NFL Draft
Navaughn Donaldson is likely to start at right guard. Trajan Bandy and Amari Carter will get a look at defensive back this season. The wide receiver troika of Mike Harvey, Jeff Thomas and DeeJay Dallas are all fast and exciting. Add in Perry and it could be an impactful freshman class.