The talk for the majority of the Miami Hurricanes offseason and what is likely to continue through training camp will be the status at quarterback. The signal-caller who wins the starting job will be the one that shows the most consistency.
The most consistent Miami Hurricanes quarterback this spring was N’Kosi Perry. Perry was honored as the best QB for Miami during spring practice. Playing QB at the University of Miami is similar to playing to the NFL according to Hurricanes head coach Manny Diaz. Everyone has an opinion on the Miami QB.
Malik Rosier the last two seasons, Perry in the last couple of years and Tate Martell since transferring from Ohio State in January have caused polarizing discussions. Add in Jarren Williams and everyone has an opinion on who and when should be playing QB for the Miami Hurricanes.
Williams, Perry and Martell all had moments this spring and during the first practice on Friday to make cases to start. Diaz stated after practice on Friday night that all three made mistakes to give detractors cases on why each of them should not start. It’s a hot topic that is likely to continue throughout the 2019 season.
"“It’s like anything else, it’s easy to try to make an assessment based off of one practice, or one drill, or one throw or whatever. I think they all probably showed that they’re all good enough (to start). And they all probably made a mistake that shows that you could make a case any way you wanted to.What we’re looking for is not going to change. It’s going to be about being consistently good, bringing it every day. It’s not about who can make a flash play. It’s a guy that’s built to win all 12 weeks and get us into the postseason, and I think that’s what it’s going to be about.”"
Good little video sequence of #Canes QBs going through drills. Perry (5), Martell (18), Williams (15), Metocha (17), Proctor (11), Rizk (16). pic.twitter.com/c28Hap23g5
— Manny Navarro (@Manny_Navarro) July 27, 2019
A lot was made of the fact that Martell began practice with the first-team offense. Perry eventually took snaps with the first-team as well. As Diaz said, no decision will be made on who the starting QB based on one practice, one drill and so on. The coaches have patience and look for consistency.
The intangibles will also be important at QB. Who is the best leader, who knows the playbook the best and is able to make adjustments at the line of scrimmage will play into who Diaz and offensive coordinator Dan Enos decide to start against Florida. The likelihood is that more than one QB plays in close games this season.
It’s expected that the QBs who don’t start will get playing time in blowouts. The other two QBs will likely get opportunities to play while a game is still doubt. It would be surprising for the Hurricanes to get a dominant performance at QB from the outset of the season enough for the position battle to be over.