Miami Quarterbacks N’Kosi Perry and Jarren Williams ready to put 2018 behind them. Perry and Williams both had frustrating, controversy-filled 2018 seasons.
N’Kosi Perry split time with departed senior Malik Rosier as the Miami starting quarterback in 2018. Many thought Jarren Williams would see time as one of the Miami quarterbacks in 2018. Williams appeared in only one that was a questionable decision by the departed offensive staff.
Williams could have played in four games and maintained a redshirt. The only game the rising redshirt freshman played in was late in a 77-0 win over Savannah State. The Tigers are moving down to Division II from FCS in 2019.
Williams and Perry were both suspended for one game last season. Perry missed the opener against LSU. He was also likely unofficially suspended for first half of the Pinstripe Bowl loss to Wisconsin. Perry had a pair of questionable social media posts during the 2019 season.
The rising redshirt Junior posted a video to his Instagram account in October riding in a car with a wad of cash on his lap. In November a sexually explicit video of an unidentified person thought to be Perry was disseminated among the student body at Miami. That video came to light during the week of practice for the Pinstripe Bowl.
Williams was suspended for the Virginia Tech game for an unspecified reason. Shortly before the Pinstripe Bowl, a story was released that Williams was considering transferring. Former Head Coach Mark Richt confirmed that he and his son, Miami quarterbacks coach Jon, spoke to Williams and his family and convinced him to stay.
Williams spoke to the Miami Herald’s David Wilson about moving on from 2018. Williams, Perry and Tate Martell are battling to be the starter as the Miami quarterback in 2019.
"“It was an interesting year, but I’m here this year…I’m glad I’m here. I love my brothers and I’m really just focusing right now on 2019. Last year was a really good learning process for me, so I learned a lot…I learned how to really prepare mentally and physically, so I went into this year feeling really confident, learning how to be a leader on and off the field…I never wanted to leave. That’s never anything you want to do…I love my teammates to death, I love the coaches, I love the atmosphere, I love the fan base. I love it here.”"
Wiliams was asked if he thought he was a poor leader off the field in 2018 presumably in light of the suspension and considering transferring. It’s tough for a QB. If they are not happy with their playing time a QB doesn’t get many snaps like a backup at other positions.
Williams was a true Freshman in 2018 which made it more difficult to lead.
"“I would definitely say that…Just coming in, just learning how this whole thing really works, just learning how to mature and all that, but I’m really just focusing on 2019.”"
Perry’s indiscretions were more troubling. They showed a more egregious lack of judgment and Perry was a year older as a Redshirt Freshman. Perry discussed the maturing he has had to do in the offseason.
"“I definitely learned from it and I understand that it wasn’t acceptable for me and especially for my teammates…I feel like I disrespected them and I let them down, so I don’t want to do that anymore.”"
Perry is the only Miami quarterback that has started a game. His play in 2018 was erratic. Richt went back and forth between Perry and Rosier because neither asserted themselves as a worthy starter. If Perry doesn’t win the starting QB job for 2019 he could be relinquished to third-string for the remainder of his collegiate career.
Perry has a big arm and outstanding speed for a QB. The knock on Perry and from his high school coach according to the Athletic’s Manny Navarro is that he is not good at reading opposing defenses. Perry and Williams now must grow up off the field, learn a new offensive system and be astute enough to read defenses.
If neither Perry or Williams can take the lead and become the starter as the Miami quarterback, Martell will earn the job. Martell has been praised for his ability as a leader as well as his on the field skills. Rising Junior wide receiver Mike Harley dubbed the 5’11 Martell the little general.
Miami quarterbacks need more production in 2019. The Hurricanes had one of the worst passing offense in FBS last season. If the Hurricanes don’t improve this year opponents will stack the box and dare them to throw.