Don’t expect Miami Hurricanes to have two QB system

Manny Diaz has stated in the last couple of weeks that the Miami Hurricanes have three good quarterbacks on their roster. Speaking on Monday Diaz said do not expect Miami to utilize a two (or more) QB system.

It has often been an adage in football that if you have two quarterbacks you don’t have one. Right now the Miami Hurricanes have three competing to be the starter on August 24 against Florida. Everyone wants to know which QB has an edge and who will be the likely starting QB against the Gators.

N’Kosi Perry is the only QB on the Miami Hurricanes roster that has started a game in college. Perry started six games in 2018 alternating with the graduated Malik Rosier. Perry had mixed success in 2018 and mostly struggled with accuracy and efficiency like Rosier had through most of his Miami career.

Ohio State transfer Tate Martell and redshirt freshman Jarren Williams and vying with Perry to be the Hurricanes starter in 2019. Manny Diaz spoke after practice on Monday about where the QBs stand, the possibility of utilizing more than one and what he and offensive coordinator and QB coach Dan Enos are looking for in a QB.

"“We’re in a battle. If we sit there and try to make an assumption off of one good throw, one bad throw, one good day, or one bad day, that’s not the point because I could look at the last three-and-a-half years and I could show you a good day of a quarterback and a bad day of a quarterback.To me it’s about being consistently good so what we’ve got to do and it’s silly to make an assessment off of a drill or a throw or whatever because there’s all kinds of guys in college football who make good throws or have a good quarter or heck, even have a good game.This is the University of Miami and our standards are so far beyond that. We need a guy that can bring it every week and the whole team can trust every week and the only way we can replicate that is come out here for the long-term and bring it every day over the course of the month of August.Until they find out a way we can have two footballs on the field at one time, it’s hard to have co-starters at quarterback. Right now that’s not even in our thoughts. We’re trying to figure out what we’ve got and where we’re at.”"

Fans and some in the media have their preferences on who should start. While some want to read into who Diaz or Enos might favor, the QB competition is wide open. No matter who is chosen to start against the Gators, there will be a faction of those that follow the Miami Hurricanes who will be upset.

The QB who is chosen to start will have more than the physical characteristics than Diaz and Enos are looking for. Who can best handle adversity, knows the playbook, is able to make changes at the line of scrimmage and who is the best leader will all come into play as the starting QB. The Hurricanes need a good passing game in 2019.

The lack of consistency on offense and particularly in the passing game has hindered Miami over their last 16 games. After starting 2017 10-0, Miami has gone 7-9 in their last 16. That includes a 4-9 record against Power Five teams. Developing a diverse offense is critical. If Miami gets consistent play at QB 2019 should be a good season.