MIami Hurricanes QB N’Kosi Perry potential return greatly helps depth
The return of redshirt junior quarterback N’Kosi Perry for the 2021 season as first reported by Manny Navarro of The Athletic is huge for the uncertain depth the Miami Hurricanes have at the position entering the 2021 season. Starting QB D’Eriq King tore his ACL in the Cheez-it Bowl and has a long offseason of rehabilitation.
Earlier this week on the Joe Rose Show on WQAM, Miami head coach Manny Diaz said he expects King to be ready for the most challenging opening game the Miami Hurricanes will have in recent memory against Alabama in September. Perry returning gives Diaz and Miami a huge safety net if King isn’t ready.
Perry played in five games as the second-team QB in 2020 and has nine career starts. After King was injured against Oklahoma State in the Cheez-it Bowl, Perry entered and had one of the best games of his collegiate career. Perry was 19-34 for 228 yards and two touchdowns passing and had six carries for 10 yards rushing.
The decision by Perry to return to Miami likely shows how much he loves playing for the Hurricanes. Following the outstanding performance in relief against the Cowboys, Perry could have transferred and likely been a starter. The return by Perry should allow Miami to redshirt freshman QB Jake Garcia.
Can confirm reports Miami backup QB N'Kosi Perry withdrew his name from the transfer portal at 3:47 p.m. today. Interesting decision. As much as he loves Miami and his teammates, I think he could be a starter elsewhere. Guess it just shows you how much guys love The U. pic.twitter.com/xDCljnyACs
— Manny Navarro (@Manny_Navarro) January 19, 2021
In addition to Perry, Miami will also surprisingly have redshirt junior Tate Martell back for the 2021 season. Martell opted out of the 2020 season and was thought to be finished playing football for Miami. Redshirt freshman Peyton Matocha and freshman Tyler Van Dyke also return for Miami in 2021.
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Perry has completed 52.4 percent of his passes for 2,484 yards, 24 TDs and 10 interceptions and run for 217 and three TDs in his Miami career. Perry is better suited to the Rhett Lashlee offense than he was under Dan Enos. Miami QBs are in the shotgun more often in the Lashlee spread than they were in Dan Enos Pro-style.