Miami Hurricanes QB N’Kosi Perry on video with wad of cash
Several reports have emerged on Monday that Miami Hurricanes Redshirt Freshman backup quarterback N’Kosi Perry was caught on a video that was posted to social media last week with a wad of money riding in a car.
The video was discussed by Miami Hurricanes Head Coach Mark Richt on Monday during his weekly press conference. Perry who started Miami’s last three games was suspended for the opener against LSU. Perry was taken out of the Hurricanes last game against Virginia and replaced by Redshirt Senior Malik Rosier.
Rosier started the Miami Hurricanes first four games of the season and all 13 games in 2017. He is slated to start on Friday night at Boston College. Perry has been cleared of any improprieties. He will be in uniform and is expected to play on Friday night against the Eagles.
The video in question was initially posted to Perry’s Instagram account and has since been taken down. This is the most recent case of Perry’s maturity being called into question.
Prior to this incident was the undisclosed case that caused the suspension for the opener and some on the inside questioning if his work habits were advanced enough to be the Miami Hurricanes starting quarterback.
Richt spoke to Perry about the video and they both seemed ready to put the incident behind them. The Miami Hurricanes Head Coach was initially asked if he or anyone from the school discussed where the money Perry had might have come from and if any NCAA Rules Violations occurred. The quotes come from the Sun Sentinel.
"“Covered our bases on everything…It’s been addressed. It was not very mature obviously…He didn’t break any laws. He didn’t break any NCAA rules. He’s in good standing, but the image is not good. We don’t like that.He’s just got to be more mature and more wise with what he does. I didn’t like it. He knows that. He knows that it was not a very wise thing to do…Like I said, it’s been addressed. No rules have been broken. He’s in good standing.”"
Perry is the clear choice of the Miami Hurricanes fanbase to be the starting quarterback. In reality, he hasn’t played significantly better than Rosier this season. Their stats are nearly identical.
Passing | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rk | Player | Cmp | Att | Pct | Yds | Y/A | AY/A | TD | Int | Rate |
1 | Malik Rosier | 50 | 96 | 52.1 | 781 | 8.1 | 7.8 | 5 | 3 | 131.4 |
2 | N’Kosi Perry | 50 | 89 | 56.2 | 666 | 7.5 | 7.4 | 11 | 5 | 148.6 |
3 | Jarren Williams | 1 | 3 | 33.3 | 17 | 5.7 | 5.7 | 0 | 0 | 80.9 |
4 | Cade Weldon | 2 | 3 | 66.7 | 14 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 0 | 0 | 105.9 |
Provided by CFB at Sports Reference: View Original Table
Generated 10/22/2018.
Before this incident occurred Perry seemed to be maturing for the most part. Perry and Rosier have both had accuracy issues this season and have nearly identical touchdown to interception ratios. Perry’s is 2.2 and Rosier’s 1.67.
Richt stated that he felt Rosier’s maturity and experience gave Miami a better chance on the road playing in front of an oppressive crowd.
It didn’t work out in Charlottesville but Richt saw enough in his own mind to name Rosier the starter in Chesnut Hill on Friday night. Perry threw two interceptions in six attempts at Virginia last weekend.
"“I think Kosi’s come far enough to play in a game when it counts the most. Right now, I think Malik gives us a better opportunity to win as the starter, so, am I saying 100 percent he’s going to get in the game? No…The plan would be for our second-team quarterback to get in the game and any time that I’ve ever been coaching, if I’ve got a second-team guy that’s ready enough to get in the game and is only going to get better with game reps, I want to get that guy in the game if I don’t think he’s going to hurt the team in some way, shape or form.I think Kosi’s come far enough to at least earn the right to get into a game as a number two right now and whether or not the situation’s right, and all that, like I said, we’ll manage that as it comes.”"
It’s debatable who gives Miami a better chance to win. Perry was exceptional initially when he entered the game for the third series against FIU September 29. He completed his first ten passes and finished 17 of 25 with three touchdowns.
He threw four TDs against Florida State a week later leading a comeback from a 20 point deficit, but competely only 13 passes in 32 attempts.
The question remains is as Richt has always said: “who gives us the best chance to win.” Ask the Miami Hurricanes fanbase and they will say Perry. He clearly needs to learn and grow up. That was Richt’s final point about his Redshirt Freshman quarterback.
"“Everything is a learning experience. College is a learning experience. Guys are human. Guys make mistakes. I think if everybody’s really honest with themselves and kind of looks back at the time when you were that age and if everybody knew everything you did, there would probably be some embarrassing moments…But you know, the quarterback position, I expect more and we’re going to demand more. Until everybody grows up, we’ll keep disciplining.”"
Being a college athlete at a major school in this era is much tougher than it used to be. There is more temptation and more outlets to be scrutinized for everything that a player does or says. Perry clearly made a mistake. Richt owned up to it and acknowledged that Perry will learn and move on.
The amount of playing on Saturday with Rosier and Perry will likely be determined on game flow and who is playing better. If that’s not Perry we will hear a lot of outcry from critical fans. Richt has always been honest and forthcoming. This incident truly seems to be behind Richt, Perry and the Miami football team.