Mark Richt Discusses Importance of QB Running Ability
One of the things that have been speculated during the Miami Hurricanes offseason is that Head Coach Mark Richt might want his quarterback to be able to run more in 2017. He discussed the importance of a mobile quarterback at ACC Kickoff Days.
With Brad Kaaya as the Miami Hurricanes quarterback for the last three seasons, there was not a lot of opportunity for positive yards in the running game from the quarterback position. Mark Richt seems determined to put that into the game plan this season.
There has been a lot of offseason speculation that Richt and Offensive Coordinator Thomas Brown want a quarterback that can give the Hurricanes positive yardage in the running game this season.
According to the team’s official website Hurricane Sports, Miami quarterbacks accounted for only 65 yards rushing on two carries last season. That does not include yards lost on sacks. In college football, sack yards count against a player and a team’s rushing total.
Both of those carries came from Junior Malik Rosier who is the favorite to land the starting quarterback job this fall. Rosier scored on a 19-yard touchdown in the season opener against Florida A&M last season. He added a 46 yard run against Duke in the final game of the 2016 regular season.
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Richt discussed the importance of his quarterback being able to gain positive yardage when a play breaks down.
"“Hidden yardage in the running game, is your quarterback’s ability to use his wheels and get some 1st downs, and sometimes it’s a by-design QB run and sometimes you drop back and no one’s open and you take off running and you find some grass and you get some extra yardage there.”"
Judging by Mark Richt’s quote that would favor Rosier and Freshman N’Kosi Perry to earn the starting quarterback job. Sophomore Evan Shirreffs is more of a traditional pocket quarterback like Kaaya.
Richt discussed Shirreffs during spring practice.
"” I thought it was really good, I would say, with Sherriffs and Malik [Rosier]. Most, though, Shirreffs, to see him stand in the pocket and take some shots and be able to take charge and be in command and like to see his poise and not being rattled”"
Related Story: 2017 Miami Hurricanes Player Breakdown: Evan Shirreffs
With his knowledge of the playbook and his ability to stand confident in the pocket, Shirrefs seems destined to be a backup. It’s going to be interesting to see wins the starting job.
If it’s Perry in the opener on September 2, Rosier will almost definitely begin the season as the second string quarterback for the third straight season.
If Rosier wins the starting job, the number two is a bit more complicated. Do Mark Richt and Brown have Shirreffs as the number two and redshirt Perry? What if Rosier struggles during the season?
A year of sitting out as a Freshman has benefitted several quarterbacks nationally. Louisville’s Lamar Jackson, Florida State’s Jameis Winston and Texas A&M’s Johnny Manziel all won the Heisman Trophy as a redshirt freshman.
Next: Miami Hurricanes Will be in Trouble at TE Without Chris Herndon
Should Mark Richt and Thomas Brown decided to redshirt Perry to give him a year to learn, the 2018 season could be bright with Perry and the nation’s top ranked recruiting class.