Jarren Williams on the injury report, Tate Martell working with the quarterbacks during practice on Tuesday and teammates praising N’Kosi Perry’s leadership projects an interesting week of Miami football practice for Hurricanes signal-callers.
Inside the U was among the various media outlets reporting that redshirt freshman starting quarterback Jarren Williams sat out practice on Tuesday with an injury, that redshirt sophomore N’Kosi Perry was endorsed by his Miami football teammates as a good leader and that his classmate Tate Martell was seen working with the QBs.
The QB situation for the Miami football team which seemed stable a week ago has suddenly become a question mark. Williams was off to a great start through the first four games of the Miami 2019 football season. He began his career throwing 119 passes without an interception. All but three of those were this year.
After throwing three interceptions in seven attempts with four completions on Saturday against Virginia Tech, Williams was yanked. Two of the three interceptions led to 14 Virginia Tech points. A fumble by Mike Harley practically handed another seven to the Hokies. Miami trailed 21-0 at the end of the first quarter.
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The interception thrown by Williams that Virginia Tech did not capitalize on came in the Hokies end zone and potentially cost Miami points. Perry thew another in one in the end zone on fourth and goal from the Virginia Tech four that cost the Hurricanes points. Perry finished the game 28-45 for 422 yards, with four TDs and the one INT.
Miami football head coach Manny Diaz said following the game and during his weekly appearance on the Joe Rose Show on Monday that Williams was still the starter. Offensive coordinator Dan Enos stated that the decision will ultimately be up to Diaz and how well Williams responded to his first adversity.
After the game on Saturday Diaz commented on Williams being taken out of the game and the redshirt freshman stretching his shoulder on the sideline.
"“He was healthy enough to play today and healthy enough to go back in there again.”"
Enos was asked about Williams’ health during his weekly press conference on Monday and said: “I can’t comment too much about the injury standpoint.” Williams was seen working with Miami training staff during practice on Tuesday. A Hurricanes football spokesman called Williams :
"“Day to day. “took limited reps in practice with an upper extremity injury."
No matter who is the quarterback for the Miami football team their teammates seem to have confidence in them. Junior running back DeeJay Dallas spoke after practice on Tuesday.
"“You remember Florida State last year? He did it, N’Kosi is a baller and a gamer. I knew he could do it when he stepped in. I am proud of him. He has been through a lot and I am proud that he stayed down with us. He is a more mature dude. That is what you’d expect out of a [third year player] right?N’Kosi paid his dues and he is a more mature dude. He is never late. Doesn’t have any off the field problems. I’d say he’s improved a lot…They are both working. They both came back and went to work, regardless of who the starter is.”"
Dallas was initially referring to Perry’s off the field problems last year on social media. He was seen riding in a car flashing a wad of cash early during the 2018 season. In November a sexually explicit Snapchat post allegedly involved Perry. Perry was additionally suspended for the Hurricanes 2018 season opener.
Graduate transfer K.J. Osborn who is in his only season with Miami discussed the differences between Williams and Perry via Inside the U and the Sun-Sentinel.
"“It doesn’t change things too much with the offense, but it impacts some of the tendencies. N’Kosi can get out of the pocket and he has tremendous arm strength, so it impact the scramble situations a little bit. I told him that he reminds me of my Buffalo quarterback Tyree Jackson. Other than that, the offense is the offense.I feel like all the quarterbacks take command of that huddle once they are in there. When they are QB1, they come in there with confidence and making the play calls. What I saw with N’Kosi was his leadership on the sideline.When he got in the game, he was so positive with the guys telling them to keep your head up and we got this. That made me feel confident.“What I’ve really seen with Kosi on the sideline was like his leadership.I’ve seen him talking to guys, even when we’re down 21-0, 28-0, he got in there, he was so positive on the sideline, telling guys, ‘We got it. Keep your head up. We’re going to be fine.’ All positive words. I really noticed that on the sideline. That made me feel confident.”"
Martell participating in practice as the number QB on Tuesday might just have been because Williams was working with the training staff. He moved to wide receiver after not being named the starting QB during training camp in August. Dallas spoke about Martell on Tuesday.
"“Tate is a football player first. He is a dude that can play anything. That is the type of guy you want on your team, so he is taking it in stride. He is an athlete and a football player.”"
David Furones of the Sun-Sentinel reported that Martell was seen wearing a white jersey during practice that the everyone but the quarterbacks wear. The Miami QBs wear orange jerseys during practice.