Braxton Berrios Says Key for N’Kosi Perry is to Learn Playbook
Junior wide receiver Braxton Berrios reiterated what his Head Coach Mark Richt said about Freshman Quarterback N’kosi Perry. The main thing with Perry becoming the starter will be how well he learns the playbook.
N’Kosi Perry is likely to be the buzz when Miami Football’s camp opens in August. Berrios appeared on the Joe Rose Morning show on WQAM 560 Thursday Morning. The Palm Beach Post’s Matt Porter did a thorough job summarizing the interview.
Berrios discussed Perry’s arm, the race at quarterback, the importance of him learning the playbook and the other receivers among a wide variety of topics.
According to Porter, Rose came right out of the box and asked Berrios how Perry looks so far:
“The name (N’Kosi Perry) that everybody talks about…How’s he look so far?”
"He looks really good,” Berrios…I think he’s impressed a lot of people so far. He has a heck of an arm…He’s really got a cannon. It’s one thing to see it on film. It’s another to see it in person”"
In the spring Richt stressed the importance of Perry learning the playbook when he said:
"“He’s got to learn what he can do before he competes…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."
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Richt seems to have done a good job instilling that thought process with his entire team. Berrios who is Miami’s only Senior receiver said of Perry:
"“He’s come in and he’s starting to understand the playbook. That’s going to be the main thing. Can he understand the playbook, and can he read college defenses and make the right decision?”"
Berrios discussed with Rose how he answers questions about the quarterback race:
"“We have a good amount of quarterbacks, a good amount that have a chance to play… I don’t care who starts. I want the best person to start. The best person for the job, the best person for this team to start. At the end of that day, that’s what’s going to matter.”"
After playing with departed starting quarterback Brad Kaaya for all three of his college seasons, Berrios has to get used to a yet unnamed starting quarterback this upcoming season. He told Rose what it’s like getting used to a new QB:
"“Getting used to them all, that’s the hard part. Ever since I’ve been here…we’ve had one guy, and we knew who that guy was. You get in a rhythm throughout the summer, spring even … now we’re coming into camp with three or four guys who could be the guy. It’s going to be a little different with their cadences, how they throw, how hard they throw and all the timing. That’s the main disadvantage of having so many guys who can be it."
The old adage in football is if you have two quarterbacks sharing the position you have none. Berrios added that he would like to see someone step up and seize the position.
"“I want somebody to step up and be the leader and be our guy. I hope we don’t have to go through two, you know, three quarterbacks throughout the season. I want one guy, and I want him to be our ride-or-die.”"
Berrios should be the team leader of a young and mostly inexperienced receiver corps. He spoke about what the young receivers will need to do to get on the field.
"“They can be really special…It’s a matter of learning the playbook, which they’ve done so far…nobody’s seen these two young guys play at the collegiate level yet..(Junior Lawrence) Cager‘s finally coming back” (off a knee injury)…That’s another one to keep an eye on.”"
He concluded the interview discussing Miami’s new cornerback tandem Dee Delaney and Jhavonte Dean:
"“Dean, he can cover ground….He is a long, lanky cornerback. He has great speed…we’re very excited about him, and Dee Delaney as well. We know what he’s done at his previous school…it’s going to translate directly to (FBS)…He’s a very big, strong corner. He can run as well. He has good technique, and it’s only going to get better with (cornerbacks coach Mike) Rumph.”"
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In his Senior year, Berrios has a chance to make an impact at receiver. At the least, he is the latest in a long line of great return men at Miami. Athlon Sports named Berrios first-team All-ACC at punt returner.