Sep 22, 2018; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes defensive lineman Jonathan Garvin (97) pressures FIU Golden Panthers quarterback James Morgan (12) during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium. Photo Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
LOCATION: Coral Gables, Fla.
COACH: Manny Diaz — At Miami and overall: 1st year
OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Dan Enos
DEFENSIVE COORDINATORS: Blake Baker, Ephraim Banda
LAST LEAGUE TITLE: 2003, co-champions Big East
LAST TIME DIDN’T GO BOWLING: 2012
RETURNING STARTERS: 12; 4 offense, 6 defense, kicker, punter
PLAYERS TO WATCH: RB DeeJay Dallas, WR Jeff Thomas, WR K.J. Osborn, DE Jonathan Garvin, LB Shaq Quarterman, LB Michael Pinckney, LB Zach McCloud, CB Trajan Bandy
PRIMARY STRENGTHS: The skill positions are talented, and the linebackers have started as a unit since their freshman season. Dallas and Thomas are playmakers on offense and special teams, and Garvin (5.5 sacks) is a force on defense.
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS: The offensive line is in a rebuilding phase, and settling on a quarterback as soon as possible is a priority. The Hurricanes don’t want to go through the confusion of last year. The secondary is retooling with only one full-time starter (Bandy) returning. Punting needs to improve.
OFFENSE
The three-man quarterback derby will continue in fall camp after no one managed to take a firm grip on the starting job.
N’Kosi Perry, who started six games as a redshirt freshman in 2018, and redshirt freshman Jarren Williams, who played in one game, will continue to compete with immediately eligible Ohio State transfer Tate Martell.
Perry (97 of 191 passing for 1,091 yards, with 13 touchdowns and six interceptions) and Williams probably were more consistent in the spring than Martell, but all three had solid performances in the spring game.
The Hurricanes appear set at running back where junior DeeJay Dallas (617 yards rushing) heads a group that includes Cam’Ron Harris, former five-star prospect Lorenzo Lingard and Robert Burns.
Harris had an outstanding spring. Lingard missed the spring while recovering from knee surgery.
Jeff Thomas’ return to the fold after leaving the team late last season gives the receiving corps a big boost. He had a team-high 35 receptions for 563 yards and was valuable as a returner. Transfer K.J. Osborn (53 catches for 892 yards at Buffalo last year) makes up for Lawrence Cager’s transfer.
Tight end is deep with Brevin Jordan (32-287) returning as a starter and Will Mallory enjoying a big spring, but the line is a work in progress.
DEFENSE
The Hurricanes are looking to fill key spots on the line and in the secondary, although linebacker is packed with experience.
Michael Pinckney, Shaq Quarterman and Zach McCloud have started since their freshman years. McCloud is playing the “striker” position that calls for more coverage responsibilities in the defense.
End Jon Garvin (17 tackles for loss) and tackle Pat Bethel (23 tackles) are returning starters, but the departures of tackle Gerald Willis (18 TFLs) and end Joe Jackson (nine sacks) leave big holes to fill.
Senior end Scott Patchan (29 tackles) logged a lot of time last season, but redshirt freshman Gregory Rousseau, coming off an injury, and true freshman Jahfari Harvey are two to watch. Virginia Tech transfer Trevon Hill is due to arrive in the fall.
Sophomores Al Blades Jr. and DJ Ivey are competing for the corner spot opposite veteran Trajan Bandy, and USC transfer Bubba Bolden looks to join junior Amari Carter (two starts) in the secondary.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Bubba Baxa was 9 of 12 on field-goal attempts as a true freshman, but punter Jack Spicer averaged only 37.7 yards an attempt in splitting time with Zach Feagles. Feagles (38.9) has transferred. Thomas and Dallas shared kick-return duties last year, and both returned punts for touchdowns.
OVERVIEW
The Hurricanes go into coach Manny Diaz’s first year with some concerns while relying on transfers at several spots. But the enthusiasm generated in the coaching change, with Diaz moving up from defensive coordinator to replace retired Mark Richt, has created optimism. There are enough playmakers here to make Miami the favorite in a weak ACC Coastal Division.
TOP NEWCOMER
QB Tate Martell: The Hurricanes got the news just before the start of spring practice that the Ohio State transfer would be immediately eligible. That opened a three-way competition that will carry over into the fall camp. The dual-threat Martell was 23-of-28 passing for 269 yards in six appearances for the Buckeyes last fall.
SCHEDULE
Aug. 24 vs. Florida (Orlando, FL)
Sept. 7 at North Carolina
Sept. 14 BETHUNE-COOKMAN
Sept. 21 CENTRAL MICHIGAN
Oct. 5 VIRGINIA TECH
Oct. 11 VIRGINIA
Oct. 19 GEORGIA TECH
Oct. 26 at Pittsburgh
Nov. 2 at Florida State
Nov. 9 LOUISVILLE
Nov. 23 FIU (MIAMI, FL)
Nov. 30 at Duke
