Miami football newcomers get a lot of love from ESPN
Three newcomers on the Miami football team received ACC award recognition from ESPN entering the 2020 season.
Graduate transfer Quarterback D’Eriq King and defensive ends Quincy Roche and Jaelan Phillips are Miami football players who have been recognized in preseason awards in the ACC by ESPN. King was named the best offensive transfer, Roche the best defensive transfer and redshirt junior Phillips the Comeback Player of the Year.
King transferred to Miami from Houston in January, Roche followed as a graduate transfer from Temple shortly after and Phillips sat out the 2019 season after transferring to Miami from UCLA in January 2019. Those three with tight end Brevin Jordan are expected to be the best players for the Hurricanes in 2020.
King and Phillips could both be candidates for ACC Comeback Player of the Year. Phillips dealt with injuries throughout his two seasons at UCLA. Sitting out with Miami last season allowed Phillips to remake his body and get healthy. Now up to 270 pounds, Phillips and Roche are formidable edge-rushing tandem.
King decided to join the Miami football team after playing in four games for Houston last season. The Cougars coaching staff asked King to redshirt after Houston started the 2019 season 1-3. The plan for King to return in 2020 backfired when he chose to transfer to Miami. King will lead a revamped Hurricanes offense in 2020.
No returning defender had more QB pressures than Quincy Roche last season🔥 pic.twitter.com/dy6JzPwg5k
— PFF College (@PFF_College) August 19, 2020
"Miami ESPN preseason recognitionComeback player of the year: Jaelan Phillips, DE, MiamiBest offensive transfer: D’Eriq King, QB, Miami (via Houston)Best defensive transfer: Quincy Roche, DE, Miami (via Temple)Roche is the best NFL Prospect on the Miami active roster. Even including all the players and conferences who have opted out of the 2020 season, Roche was the highest-rated returning pass rusher in college football."
Expect Roche to become the leader of the Miami defense with redshirt senior linebacker Zach McCloud. If Roche can duplicate the 19 tackles for loss and 13 sacks he had with Temple in 2019 he will have a chance to be the ACC Defensive Player of the Year. ESPN projects Marvin Wilson of Florida State to earn that accolade.
Next. Miami DC Blake Baker expects more DT consistency. dark
Miami opens the season on Thursday against UAB. The Hurricanes ACC opener is September 19 at Louisville. The Cardinals will be a good test for Roche, Phillips and the Miami defense. King will compete against a good Blazers defense in the opener. UAB held Central Arkansas to 293 yards in their season-opening 45-35 victory.