UM Fall Camp 2019: Offensive Superlatives

Thursday is the first day of fall camp for Manny Diaz and the Miami Hurricanes as they are less than one month away from reviving their rivalry against Dan Mullen’s Florida Gators. That means the clock is ticking for the Canes to figure out who their starting quarterback is as well as finding out the right combination of big men up front to protect the quarterback. Here’s my prediction on who are my projected starters for this season as well as players that have something to prove, and a few guys you should not sleep on.

 

Quarterback

 

Projected Starter: RS sophomore N’Kosi Perry

 

Of course, it’s no secret that Perry holds the edge coming into fall camp due to his experience and pedigree. He has the arm and dual-threat ability that coach Diaz covets in a quarterback. The only thing downfall Perry has is his consistency and his maturity (noted by a couple of suspensions stemming from the off-the-field incidents. N’Kosi went 4-2 as a starter last season, throwing for 13 touchdowns and six interceptions. He can make all the throws but his accuracy can be slightly off at times, as noted by his 51% completion percentage last season. An improved offensive line as well as a new offensive scheme could prove to work in Perry’s favor should he have an amazing camp performance. 

 

Something to Prove: RS sophomore Tate Martell

 

When Manny Diaz hit the transfer portal in search of more talent, Martell was one of his biggest hauls. He was recruited by Miami in 2017 but ultimately chose to play at Ohio State and chose to transfer after the arrival of Justin Fields. He received real playing time in only one game during his time in Colombus (10-10, 121 yards, 47-yard TD run) and there were definitely a lot of positives on the tape, like his ability to tuck the ball and run when plays break down. However, he is not full polished as a passer, as he is more comfortable in the shotgun formation than under center. His play in the spring was very up-and-down as he is still trying to get acclimated with offensive coordinator Dan Enos’ system. On the bright side, the coaching staff seems very keen on giving each guy an equal opportunity at becoming the starter and Martell running onto the field on the opening drive on 8/24 is still a possibility. 

 

Sleeper: RS freshman Jarren Williams

 

To some, Williams may be 3rd on the hypothetical depth chart but his ability should not be overlooked. As a passer, he’s more advanced than Martell and has solid footwork with a solid arm and is not afraid to go through his progressions when looking for an open receiver. There were rumors about Williams considering a transfer earlier this year but he has reconsidered and seems more than willing to risk all the marbles for a shot at the starting quarterback position. 

 

Running Back

 

Starter: Junior Deejay Dallas

 

Dallas has been a very reliable running back for Miami over the past couple of seasons and that does not change heading into 2019. It’s looking like the Dallas is the presumable starter for 2019 after Travis Homer declared for the NFL Draft and while serving as Homer’s backup, he still found a way to find the endzone six times with 617 yards on 5.7 yards/carry. 

 

Something to Prove: Sophomore Lorenzo Lingard

 

The highest-rated recruit in Miami’s 2018 class, expectations were sky high for Lingard in his freshman campaign. Lingard flashed some of his ability in the blowout win against Savannah State with 4 carries for 82 yards that included a 64-yard touchdown run. Unfortunately, a season-ending knee injury derailed his freshman season. Nagging injuries have followed Lingard into the spring and he may not be ready to hit the field until October. Lingard needs a solid season, especially with 2020 recruit Don Chaney waiting in the wings. 

 

Sleeper: Sophomore Cam Harris

 

Formerly known as Cameron Davis, Harris got plenty of playing time towards the end of last season and he took full advantage of it. In the two matchups versus Georgia Tech, the Carol City product had six carries for 48 yards and seven carries for 77 yards, respectively, while adding a rushing touchdown in both games. Harris added 13 carries for 57 yards in the Orlando spring game as well. He is the clear-cut backup heading into the season and it would be no surprise should he overtake Dallas as the starter this season and beyond. 

 

Wide Receiver

 

Projected Starters: Junior Jeff Thomas and senior KJ Osborn 

 

What’s crazy about Thomas and Osborn is that at one point in December, it looked like neither of them would even be on Miami’s roster, let alone start. Thomas initially “transferred” to Illinois, but Diaz’s first order of business once he got hired was to convince Thomas that #TheNewMiami was going to be something special. The skillset and ability of Thomas has to be accounted for by opposing defenses. Don’t forget, Jeff had five receptions for 132 yards against a talented LSU secondary in the season opener. Much has been said about Osborn and his maturity from the day he stepped foot on campus. Osborn is a grad transfer arriving via Buffalo to play out his final year of eligibility, finishing second on the team in 2018 with 892 yards on 53 receptions. A prominent role on Miami’s offense awaits Osborn in 2019. 

 

Something to Prove: Sophomore Mark Pope

 

Like Lingard, expectations were extremely high for Pope in his freshman season. He admitted earlier this spring that he did not study the playbook well enough in 2018, which led to his limited playing time. With a new wide receivers coach in Taylor Stubblefield as well as the receiver room getting much more crowded this season, there will most certainly be a sense of urgency for Mark to not only show why he was highly-recruited coming out of high school but also to prove he belongs in the receiver rotation. 

 

Sleepers: Sophomores Dee Wiggins and Brian Hightower, freshman Jeremiah Payton

 

There’s really no shortage of talent at the position that any of the younger players has the ability to break out at any time. In the 2018 spring game, Brian Hightower wowed with two touchdowns and Dee Wiggins was able to earn more playing time last season than Pope. The Canes are also bringing in freshman Jeremiah Payton and he has already impressed in spring workouts and should see the field at some point in 2019.

 

Tight End

 

Star: Sophomore Brevin Jordan

 

After a sensational freshman season that earned him All-ACC 2nd team honors, Brevin Jordan looks to build on that success in 2019. Jordan caught 32 passes for 287 yards and four touchdowns, which is very impressive considering Miami often shuffled the quarterback position last season. 

 

Something to Prove: RS junior Michael Irvin Jr.

 

Irvin has had the classic case of “butterfingers” for much of his career as he’s been very inconsistent with his ability to catch the ball. Irvin hasn’t really seen game action since 2017 as he suffered a season-ending knee injury in fall camp last year. His injury resulted in the breakout season of Jordan. Reports are that he’s had a tremendous spring so he will absolutely be in the tight end rotation but his sense of urgency must be high with the taller and younger Will Mallory trailing right behind him. 

 

Sleeper: Sophomore Will Mallory

 

Speaking of Mallory, the 6’5” 235 lb. sophomore appeared in ten games as a true freshman, finishing with five catches for 37 yards and a touchdown. The Jacksonville product should see an increase his production, assuming there is more consistent QB play and Dan Enos’ utilization of the tight end. Enos likes running two-tight end sets so while defenses may be worried about the big-play ability of Jordan, that should free up opportunities for Mallory.

 

Offensive Line

 

Projected Starters: Your guess is as good as mine

 

Outside of DJ Scaife at left tackle, Navaughn Donaldson on the left side, and Corey Gaynor at center, there’s really not that much clarity on the offensive line as there’s still shuffling to be made to find out the right combination. Gaynor spent most of spring practice hurt so Donaldson even got some burn at center. At RG, John Campbell may get his chance at getting valuable playing time, if not starting. Kai-Leon Herbert is a redshirt sophomore who could also get a look and see the field this season. Past that, depth is still lacking and one injury could set the Canes back by a lot. 

 

Something to Prove: RS senior Tommy Kennedy

 

When Kennedy committed to transfer to Miami over Oklahoma and Texas in December, many thought that he would be the answer at left tackle for 2019. Fast forward through spring and it’s looking a little bleak for him. The Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson reported that the previous coaching staff may have overestimated Kennedy’s talent level and his body may still need some reshaping. The Butler transfer has had his ups and downs through spring practice as it is clear he is still getting used to the type of talent level he is facing in practices. Kennedy came to Coral Gables because he believed it gave him the best shot at preparing himself for the NFL but after his underwhelming performance in the spring, the hope is that Kennedy will at least find a spot in the rotation as Enos and offensive line coach Butch Barry value his versatility. 

 

Sleeper: Zion Nelson

 

Nelson was one of the late pickups of the 2019 recruiting class as he fit the mold of the tall but lean linemen that Barry sought. Arriving on campus at  230 lbs. in January, it did not seem like Nelson would see the field in 2019 but as of April, he’s already up to 270 and with an incredible spring, he’s got a wee bit of a shot at starting at left tackle, if not right tackle.