Opinions differ on who should or will be Miami Hurricanes starting quarterback

The main focus of the recently completed spring football for the Miami Hurricanes was who will or should be the starting quarterback this fall. Opinions vary depending on who is asked.

Tate Martell transferred to join the Miami Hurricanes football program in January with the goal of being the starting quarterback. Martell left Ohio State in part because of head coach Urban Meyer’s retirement and former Georgia QB Justin Fields joining the Buckeyes. Meyer’s spread offense was a perfect fit for Martell.

Dan Enos was hired by new Miami head coach Manny Diaz to become the Hurricanes offensive coordinator and QB coach. Enos told Manny Navarro of the Athletic that he is “going to tailor his offense to the strengths of his QBs.” That helps out Martell who looked awful under center in the Hurricanes second scrimmage April 13.

Martell operated exclusively out of the shotgun in the Miami spring game on Saturday. Navarro wrote that if Martell sits in the shotgun it evens the playing field for him competing to be the starting QB. Martell’s strengths are his athletic and running abilities. With Miami’s offensive line unimpressive that will also help Martell.

N’Kosi Perry is by far the most experienced QB the Hurricanes have. Perry started six games last season. Martell and rising redshirt freshman Jarren Williams have not started a game in their collegiate careers. Williams was given high praise by a former, unnamed Miami QB to Navarro. The UM alum said Williams is the best QB on Miami.

Navarro wrote up a short summary on the Athletic

regarding his take of the Miami QBs this spring and what he was told by the anonymous alum about the Hurricanes QB situation.

"My view of the Canes QB competition & thoughts shared from a former Canes QB“Speaking to Dan Enos yesterday at a luncheon I came away with the impression Tate Martell has a real shot to win the starting job despite a shaky spring.At 5-11, 210 pounds it’s clear Martell needs to be in the shotgun to have any real shot of being an effective passer. It allows him to have throwing lanes and to take off running — his real strength — when the pocket collapses.The fact Enos said he’s going to tailor his offense to the strengths of his QBs (and let Martell sit in the shotgun) evens the playing field for him. If Miami’s offensive line is as bad as it has looked, Martell could be the best man for the job.That said, I spoke to a former Hurricanes quarterback yesterday who has been out to a couple practices and one scrimmage who told me “15 is the best of three.” He said if Jarren Williams can improve his footwork this summer, he’s hands down the best looking passer of three.Another interesting observation from the former Canes QB: he said the basic throwing prep work Enos is doing with Miami’s QB now before practice was non-existent when he went to practices under Mark Richt. He says you can tell the difference already under Enos.”"

Williams has been repeatedly praised as the most accurate passer and pro-ready QB of the three Miami Hurricanes challenging to be the starter this fall. It’s not surprising that the former alum holds Williams in high regard. It’s difficult to say who the alum is, but Brad Kaaya has done some work for the Five Rings podcast in the past.

Kaaya remains very engaged with the Hurricanes football team on social media. He retweeted video of Martell’s touchdown pass to Michael Irvin II in the spring game. The competition to be the Miami starting QB will make Martell, Perry and Williams better. Having depth at QB is essential in this era of football.

This year needs to be a major upgrade at QB for the Miami Hurricanes. Once the QB is chosen Enos needs to give the starter every opportunity to succeed if he is healthy. Mark Richt’s shuffling between Perry and Malik Rosier in 2018 hindered Miami’s continuity on offense and resulted in factions in the locker room.