Miami football can survive without 2021 QB commit

With the NCAA granting an extra season to all 2020 fall athletes, the Miami football program can survive without adding a quarterback in the class of 2021.

The Miami football program currently has the eighth-ranked recruiting class for 2021. The one criticism of the elite class is the Hurricanes are missing a quarterback. With an extra season of eligibility granted to all fall athletes in 2020, Miami can survive with a commit at QB in the class of 2021.

The impact of the Miami football program not signing a QB in the class of 2021 would largely depend on who returns at the position in the next few seasons. Graduate transfer D’Eriq King now has the option to play for Miami in 2020 and 2021. King originally only had eligibility with the Hurricanes through the 2020 season.

The decision for King to return or enter the NFL Draft will likely depend on how well he plays with Miami in 2020. King is entering his fifth season in college and might not want to return for a sixth-year. Maximizing an NFL contract is critical for football players with an extremely short professional career spans.

How well King projects in the 2021 NFL Draft will play a huge role in his decision. The comfort that  King has in Miami, his performance in the Rhett Lashlee offense and how well the Hurricanes play on the field this season will also determine what King wants to do. The other four QBs on the Miami roster also have an extra season.

Redshirt juniors N’Kosi Perry and Tate Martell who originally would enter their last season of eligibility in 2021 can now stay through the 2022 season. Either or both could also decide to transfer likely depending on where they would be on the Miami depth chart in either 2021 or 2022 seasons.

If King decides to move on following the 2020 season, Perry will be the favorite over Martell if he returns and freshman Tyler Van Dyke. The 2020 season is essentially a redshirt season for all fall athletes with the opportunity to play a full schedule. Miami also has redshirt freshman Peyton Matocha on the roster.

Four-star 2021 recruit Jake Garcia who has been committed to USC since September 2019 is still being recruited by Miami. Garcia told Ari Wasserman of The Athletic recently that he is no longer considering the Hurricanes. The extra year of eligibility throughout college sports will benefit the Miami QBs.

Van Dyke and Matocha now have eligibility though the 2024 season. The likelihood is that Van Dyke was going to redshirt this season with or without the 2020 season counting against eligibility. If Miami fails to flip Garcia from USC or sign another QB in the class of 2021, they can look ahead to the Class of 2022.

With the potential of Perry and Martell through the 2022 season, Miami could have four QBs on their roster through that season. Adding a QB in the final season for Perry and Martell will be imperative. The Hurricanes now have an extra recruiting cycle to be able to accomplish that.