New Miami Hurricanes offense more reacting than thinking

The new up-tempo spread offense for the Miami Hurricanes will operate an extremely quick pace. The offensive players for Miami will have to react quickly. That will diminish the amount of thinking the players have to do on the field.

The hiring of Rhett Lashlee as the new offensive coordinator will advance the Miami Hurricanes spread offense with a quicker tempo than has ever been used in the history of the program. After the first two days of spring practice, Miami players have noted the difference between the spread and the pro-style offense previously used.

Lashlee and his staff began evaluating players during the first two practices of the spring on Monday and Tuesday. A wide receiver corps which failed to produce in 2019 as a less complex offense to learn this spring. In the Lashlee led up-tempo spread offense he wants his players to think less and react more.

The new Miami Hurricanes offense is expected to run far more plays in 2020 than it ever has. Miami was 91st in the country in 2019 with 844 plays in 13 games in 2019. As the offensive coordinator for SMU last season, Lashlee called 1,037 plays in 13 games. The Mustangs averaged14.84 plays per game more than the Hurricanes.

Fourteen more plays per game is an extra two or three drives. The SMU offense finished ninth in the country averaging 498.8 yards per game. Miami was 98th at 367.2. The quicker tempo is designed to neutralize defenses on many levels. The uptempo will make it more difficult to make substitutions and tire out the opposition.

Another result will be a more tired out defensive line which slows the opponents’ pass rush. That will greatly help the Miami Hurricanes offensive line that was one of the worst in FBS in 2019.

Lashlee and the Miami players commented

on the difference between the Hurricanes’ new offense and what has been run in the past.

"“I think they’d probably tell you that’s a culture shock…The whole idea is for it to not be confusing. It’s a fast-moving game anyway. These guys have a lot of talent or they would not be here. If we can get it to where they’re reacting and playing fast in that respect, mentally, then their ability takes over.So that’s what we’re trying to get done. They’re not there yet. Two days in they’re still thinking a little bit. But for him to say already it’s not confusing is a good sign. Look, you are what you repeatedly do, so we’ve got to build reps over and over and over… It doesn’t happen by luck.”"

Junior wide receiver Dee Wiggins who seems poised for a breakout season in an offense that will take more chances deep was quoted by Inside the U on the difference between the previous offensive scheme and what Lashlee is has taught them through the first two days of spring practice.

"“It all comes from chemistry…We are out here after practice almost every time or after mat drills and we just throw balls to build our chemistry. It is only day two and we are getting the hang of it…There is way more deep shots and you have to take advantage of it now. I love it (the new offense) It is not confusing.Everybody has their job to do and you have to be accountable for your own job. If you can do that, then you can be great. Everybody isn’t moving around and stuff like that. You just get in your spot and go. Everybody feels comfortable with the offense. We just have to buckle up for the tempo.The intensity is very high.There has been no breaks…I need to step up as a leader and be more vocal…I am already pretty vocal, but I need to be more vocal. After practice, we need to get it in and put in the extra work.”"

Wiggins is projected to be part of a starting wide receiver corps that has experience with senior Mike Harley and junior Mark Pope expected to start. Harley had an excellent season in 2019 finishing second on the Hurricanes in receptions and receiving yards. Harley should be the Hurricanes go-to receiver in 2020.

Wiggins is expected to be the big-play receiver for Miami. The 16.8 yards per reception average and four receiving TDs were second among Miami regulars in 2019. With the offense expected to produce far more snaps in 2020, Wiggins will have more opportunities to perform. The upper-class triad has a tough group to hold off.

Redshirt freshman Jeremiah Payton was observed by some to be the best WR in practice for Miami in 2019. Incoming freshmen, Xavier Restrepo, Dazalin Worsham and Keyshawn Smith have drawn praise through the first two days of practice for their elusiveness and speed. Miami at least has depth at wideout.