Alex Donno, Larry Blustein and Tim Reynolds reported on the Miami Hurricanes pregame show on WQAM that Freshman Quarterback Jarren Williams has been suspended for Saturday’s game at Virginia Tech and did not travel with the team.
Williams suspension is only for Saturday’s game according to the WQAM trio. The True Freshman has only appeared in the Miami Hurricanes 77-0 victory over Savannah State week two in the home opener. Williams completed one of three passes for 17 yards and added a one-yard touchdown run.
Many expected Williams to play some in the last two games and if Miami qualified for a Bowl game. Williams becomes the third Miami Hurricanes quarterback to be suspended this season. Redshirt Senior quarterback Malik Rosier who has started six games in 2018 and started all 13 in 2017 is UM’s only QB to not serve a suspension.
N’Kosi Perry who is starting his fifth game against Virginia Tech on Saturday was suspended for the opener against LSU for an undisclosed violation that occurred during the offseason. Cade Weldon came off of his suspension last week after receiving a four-game suspension for another violation of team rules.
The suspension from the underclassmen quarterbacks is troubling heading into next season. Perry’s play has been inconsistent this season. He led Miami on two scoring drives last week against Georgia Tech but was inaccurate for stints against the Yellow Jackets. Perry finished 14-23 for 165 yards against Georgia Tech.
Jarren Williams did not travel with the Miami Hurricanes to Blacksburg due to an undisclosed violation of team rules... in case you missed it on @560WQAM
— Alex Donno (@AlexDonno) November 17, 2018
Like Williams, Weldon’s only playing time came in the victory over Savannah State. He finished two of three for 14 yards and ran twice for five times and a touchdown. As Donno said (and I’m paraphrasing) during their pregame broadcast “What the heck is going on with the Miami quarterbacks”
The lack of perceived maturity from the Miami quarterbacks heading into 2019 is concerning. Perry could have a chance to cease the position for next season. RIcht might have foreshadowed Williams suspension earlier in the week if the violation that caused the suspension happened prior to his Tuesday press conference.
"“I’m tempted to try to win the game…How about that? I guess people don’t see that as a premium, but I do.”"
With one game remaining, plus a potential Bowl game if Miami wins one of its last two it will be interesting to see what Richt does with the quarterbacks. At this point getting their sixth win will give Miami a bowl bid and valuable practice time. On the other hand, playing Rosier doesn’t help Miami for next season.
Giving Williams and/or Weldon playing time this week and/or next week should help them develop for the future. Developing all three quarterbacks off the field for 2019 seems more important going forward.