Perry has been a far more efficient QB in 2019. His passer rating has improved from 114.9 to 166.5. Miami kept with their custom of not waiting until game time to reveal their starting QB. Williams was named the starter nearly two weeks before Miami played Florida in the season opener in August.
Naming Perry two days out before the Hurricanes play Virginia gives the big-armed QB and his teammates time to digest the change at signal-caller. Perry brings a slightly different skill set to the offense for the Miami football team. He is more nimble than Williams and has a bigger arm. Williams is far more accurate.
"“I want to take all the suspense out of it. We are going to start N’Kosi Perry at quarterback on Friday night. Jarren Williams is dealing with an upper extremity issue and we believe N’Kosi gives us the best chance to win. I think he certainly has matured. He has matured as a leader and what I have seen is his development as a quarterback with his ability to read coverages and how to throw the ball to all sides of the field. When pictures changed a year ago, that would get him. Now he is able to keep his eyes not on the pass rush and he can keep his eyes downfield and find the open guy and there was examples of that this past Saturday."
Miami Hurricanes Football
Diaz clearly has confidence in both Williams and Perry as the above statement quoted by Inside the U indicates. Perry’s first start since the final game of the 2018 regular season against Pittsburgh ironically comes against Virginia who he was pulled against last season. Perry was 3-6 with two interceptions against the Cavaliers.
Williams has been outstanding for Miami this year other than Saturday’s performance against Virginia Tech which now seems to have been influenced by injury. ESPN sideline reporter Olivia Dekker reported during the game that Williams left for the locker room to get work on his shoulder.
There was no indication during the bye week or practice leading up to facing the Hokies on an injury. Diaz downplayed an injury in the postgame stating that Williams could have gone back into the game. The Miami football head coach in his inaugural season stated as he did for Virginia that Perry gave them a better chance to win.