Miami Hurricanes expect to solidify OL after first scrimmage

Speaking to the media after practice Saturday night, Miami Hurricanes offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee expects positions on the offensive line to solidly after the first scrimmage Sunday night.

Following the first scrimmage of training camp Sunday night the Miami Hurricanes expect to solidly their offensive line according to offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee. Offensive line coach Garin Justice has shuffled players around at various positions throughout the first week of training camp.

Entering August the three offensive linemen secure in their positions were redshirt junior center Corey Gaynor, junior left guard DJ Scaife and graduate transfer eight tackle Jarrid Williams. Scaife is moving from right tackle where he was the starter for most of the last two seasons replacing Navaughn Donaldson.

Donaldson announced earlier this year he has made the decision to redshirt to rehabilitate from a season-ending knee injury he suffered in the final 2019 regular-season game against Duke. Miami expects Donaldson to return for the 2021 season. Left tackle and right guard are the two positions with the most uncertainty.

One of the biggest questions for the Miami Hurricanes entering 2020 is how will the offensive line play in Lashlee’s new offense. The spread relies on the quarterback throwing the ball quicker than in a pro-style offense. The spread is supposed to help the Miami OL improve in pass protection and run blocking.

Lashlee spoke after practice on Saturday night

to the media ahead of the first scrimmage of training camp on Sunday. Right guard and left tackle will be positions to monitor after Sunday night.

John Campbell

is the favorite to lock down left tackle and

Jakai Clark

is expected to keep his position at right guard.

"“We have a lot of good information and I think tomorrow might be a bigger deal for the offensive line than even the number two quarterback spot, simply because we have such a short amount of time this year.I think after tomorrow, coach Justice will have to sit down and put them where we think they are best and stop moving them around. I think we have a pretty good idea. I am pleased with their progress.I think they are getting more physical and they are starting to get what we are doing and I know they love coach Justice and what he brings to that room.We have seen a lot of guys flash and it will be good to see how they do tomorrow when it is more of a game like situation because they are going up against a really good defensive front every day in practice. That only makes you better.I have been pleased with their progress through the process and I think after tomorrow we will have a good idea, about three weeks out, what we will go into that first game with.”"

While Miami is going to solidify its offensive line after the first scrimmage Sunday it will continue to be a process. Gaynor and Williams are likely going to stay at center and left tackle. Scaife is safe as a starter on the offensive line but could be moved around depending on where he is needed.

The offensive line is a lot more experienced entering the 2020 season. Improvement has to be made over what was often a sieve upfront offensively in 2019. The new staff led by Lashlee and Justice on the offensive line should help the Hurricanes improve. The addition of D’Eriq King at quarterback should also help the OL.

King brings a veteran presence, more leadership and athleticism at QB. Miami needs to have someone who can move around in the pocket, not panic and have the ability to put pressure on opposing defenses. King can do all of the above. The Hurricanes should be much better on the OL in 2020.