Miami Hurricanes HC Manny Diaz expects deep rotations

During his weekly appearance on the Joe Rose Show on WQAM on Monday Miami Hurricanes head coach Manny Diaz stressed the importance of depth and having deep rotations at every position. Some places on the Miami depth chart have been determined, but Diaz stated most of the starters are still to be decided.

Diaz joked earlier this month that quarterback D’Eriq King and punter Louis Hedley will definitely be starters in 2021. With training camp concluding with the second and final scrimmage on Saturday, the Miami Hurricanes turn their focus to preparing for Alabama during the next two weeks of practice.

Miami kickoffs the season against Alabama, on Saturday, September 4, just 12 days away. Diaz wants to see how players prepare for the game plan against Alabama. Diaz was pleased with the progress that Miami has made during training camp. The biggest work will occur in the next 12 days.

Diaz told Rose and co-host Zach Krantz that the Hurricanes know who will be on the scout team heading into this week. The next determination will be who the starters will be against Alabama. Diaz cautioned that roles will change during the season. Some players will emerge as the season progresses.

"“The way we sort of arranged the structure through camp and game prep…this week when we do Alabama prep who can succeed game plan wise…You want to have more than one guy that can help you at a position. That’s what the best teams have is depth. I feel really good, especially what I saw on Saturday.Made a major jump forward on Saturday.”"

Diaz mentioned that to combat opposing offenses running far more plays than in the past that the best defensive lines have a seven to an eight-man rotation. The defensive line is the most physically taxing position in football and keeping linemen fresh is critical as Diaz told Rose and Krantz.

Miami will be deep at defensive tackle in 2021 but is inexperienced at edge rusher beyond projected starters Deandre Johnson and Zach McCloud. Miami needs Jahfari Harvey and Chantz Williams to develop in their third and second seasons with the Hurricanes. Diaz did not specifically mention any defensive linemen.