Miami Hurricanes QB room good hands for future per Manny Diaz
Creating more accountability and mentoring in the Miami Hurricanes quarterback room has been a priority for Manny Diaz since becoming head coach two years ago. With starter D’Eriq King out until August training camp, the future for the signal callers was on display Saturday in the spring game.
King was sensational in his first season with the Miami Hurricanes in 2020. On Saturday King called offensive plays in the fourth quarter of the Spring Game and able to provide mentoring to the young Miami QBs behind him. Jake Garcia was the star of the spring game and Tyler Van Dyke also played well.
Garcia and Van Dyke are expected to compete to be the starting QB in 2022 when King moves on to the NFL. Peyton Matocha and walkon Ryan Rizk also received playing time during the Spring Game on Saturday. Garcia was 19-25 passes for 255 yards and two touchdowns on Saturday. Van Dyke was 12-17 102 yards and one TD.
Van Dyke only played in the first half. Based on their numbers this spring, it appears that Garcia has pulled ahead of Van Dyke to be the second-team QB for Miami. That decision will come down to more than the numbers during the three scrimmages this spring. Head coach Manny Diaz spoke about the QB play on Saturday.
"“I have not been fibbing. The future of the Miami Hurricanes quarterback room is in good hands with these two and the way that we’re recruiting for that position. I think what you saw today has been there all spring. Both guys have played really, really well this spring. Jake, I think he gets into a game and looks very comfortable.I think both of those guys, I feel like they both have very good pocket presence, they both look very comfortable. They both have a good understanding of where the wide receivers are and they got the arm talent to get the ball there.”"
In addition to the Garcia and Van Dyke as Diaz mentions above, the reference of how they are recruiting the position has been strong with 2022 commit, four-star QB Jacurri Brown helping alleviate the loss of King next year. Brown is the prototype dual-threat QB for offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee.
Next. Miami offense led by Jake Garcia in Spring Game. dark
Brown is 6’4, 220 pounds and an elite runner at QB. Garcia and Van Dyke can both run when they have to but are more pro-style QBs more adept in the pocket and beating teams with their arms. The Miami QB competition during 2022 Spring Practice will be a national story. Brown will challenge Garcia and Van Dyke.