What to expect next from Miami Hurricanes QB N’Kosi Perry
N’Kosi Perry was given a sufficient sample size to show what he can do as the Miami Hurricanes QB. What is up next for Perry as he transitions from a part-time starter in 2018 to backup in 2019.
N’Kosi Perry started six games and played in 11 last season for the Miami Hurricanes. Miami went 4-2 in his starts. It was mostly a case of Perry making throws when he had to then him winning games because of his efficiency and consistent play.
Perry completed 51.1 percent of his passes for 1,091 yards, 13 touchdowns and six interceptions in 2018. There were multiple reasons why Perry was not effective at QB.
Some of the Miami Hurricanes’ fanbase wanted to blame former head coach Mark Richt for not giving Perry more playing time and a chance to grow as a reason for his poor play. Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa threw only 77 passes in his freshman season in 2017.
Perry had plenty of opportunities in 2018 to seize the starting QB job from Malik Rosier. Off the field indiscretions, a lack of knowledge of the playbook, poor decisions throwing the football and difficulty making progressions reading opposing defenses were all factors that led to Perry’s poor play.
Perry has many of the physical attributes to be a good collegiate QB. It is the intangibles in the previous paragraph that stunt his growth more than anything else. At 6’4, 195 pounds, Perry is six inches taller than fellow backup Tate Martell and at least two inches taller than recently named starter Jarren Williams.
Perry has the strongest arm of the top three QBs on the Miami Hurricanes roster. Manny Diaz and offensive coordinator Dan Enos can not wait for Perry to mature. He might have the highest upside based on his overall skill set on the Hurricanes roster, but with the defense Miami has they cannot wait for him to mature in 2019.
Miami had a championship defense in 2018. The indecision by Richt between Perry and Rosier at QB hindered the Miami offense throughout last season. It ultimately likely played a role in Richt’s decision to retire following the 2018 season. Miami has too much talent at the other skill positions to wait on Perry to develop.
Williams will get the ball to Miami’s receivers far more efficiently and accurately. That will put the Miami running backs, wide receivers and tight ends in better positions to make plays. Getting players like Jeff Thomas, DeeJay Dallas and Brevin Jordan in space will create mismatches against Miami opponents.
On paper, Jarren Williams should be Miami's best QB. Upside is there, floor seems like it should be higher than the other two as well. Still it's hard to know what to expect the level of QB play to be this fall.
— Barton Simmons (@bartonsimmons) August 12, 2019
CBS Sports National College Football Writer and 247 Sports Director of Scouting Barton Simmons stated that he is not sure we know what Perry is as a QB and that if he would be given more time to grow into the position he still has a high ceiling. We found out in 2018 what Perry is as a QB. Perry has a decision to make for his future.
Should he stay at Miami or make the decision now to move on and find an opportunity to be the starting QB somewhere else. Perry has the skills to be a very good college QB. Williams has often been mentioned as having a skill set to play in the NFL. Simmons looked ahead to Perry’s future in a column on Monday.
"“I’m still not sure we really know what Perry is as a quarterback or if we’ll ever truly find out…There’s too much sunk cost already into the quarterback position in Coral Gables not to put some faith into Williams and Door No. 2.It will be interesting to see what route Perry himself takes in the next few weeks; given his experience, he’s probably next-man-up if Williams isn’t up to expectations. Or does he leave now for a new home?"
As Simmons stated it will be interesting to see the route that Perry decides to take. A lot will likely depend on what happens with the second-team QB. Perry and Tate Martell will battle over the next week to ten days to backup Williams in the opener against Florida a week from Saturday. Nothing will likely be set in stone.
Next. Jarren Williams is best choice for Miami passing game. dark
Diaz and Enos are likely to keep Williams as the starter barring injury or complete failure in his play. Behind Williams, Perry and Martell could be equals as the backup. Who plays behind Williams could be determined by the matchups.