Miami football senior leaders stress importance of building trust

The Miami football team will be one of the most experienced nationally with 19 returning starters. Miami will be led by players entering their fourth through sixth and even seventh seasons of college football. Quarterback D’Eriq King set the example when he decided to return for his sixth season.

In his second year with Miami, King has been a leader on and off the field. King leads a Miami offense that lost only tight end Brevin Jordan. Will Mallory will replace Jordan. Wide receiver Mike Harley entering his fifth season in the Miami football program will be an important voice for the offense with King.

Miami will potentially have 10 starters on offense entering at least their fourth year in college. The sole exception is second-year left guard Jalen Rivers. Rivers is projected to start the season opener against Alabama with third-year offensive lineman Jakai Clark recovering from a spring car accident.

Building trust is critical for any team. Football is the ultimate team sport. With most of the Miami football team experienced playing together, the Hurricanes have been able to build trust. Harley and safety Bubba Bolden both spoke to reporters after the first practice of training camp on Friday about the importance of trust.

"I want to see us bond together, just everyone knowing they’re not out there by themselves. Just us winning the mental battles, like I’m seeing. I want to see us do everything together and know we’re going to compete at the highest level, but it’s all love at the end of the day…For the seniors and super seniors, we can’t get this back.We’re just trying to take advantage and have fun together…If i trust you i know coach is going to trust you.”"

Bolden will be one of the leaders on a Miami defense that returns nine starters. The Hurricanes lost star defensive ends, Jaelan Phillips and Quincy Roche. Having 2020 leading tackle Bolden return was important for a Miami secondary that seeks more consistency in 2021. Bolden spoke about the importance of trust.

"“I want to see us really trust each other more. If we can all have trust and we can all be on the string, know the person next to you has your back, no matter what and you don’t have to worry about this, that or the other, I feel like that’s going to take us farther than we can expect,”I just want everybody to come together, not let any certain moment knock you off your game and just keep having fun. We’re blessed to be here. We’re playing football again. Everybody should be excited.”"

Miami enters the 2021 season with high expectations. The season opener against Alabama will be one of the marquee games of week one. Being able to trust each other against the Crimson Tide will be important in a game that Miami is the heavy underdog. Miami can use the game against Alabama to build trust for 2021.

Building trust will be critical on a Miami defense that regressed in 2020. Head coach Manny Diaz is resuming the play-calling on defense. Many expect the Miami defense to return to the level they had when Diaz was the Hurricanes defensive coordinator from 2016-2018. Many Miami players are getting a bonus year.

Harley commenting on the urgency of their final season, playing together as a team and enjoying the journey will build more cohesiveness for the Miami football team. Miami can accomplish a lot this season if as Bolden and Harley both stated they work together as a team. Trust cannot be overstated.