Tag Archive for: Miami Hurricanes

Miami Hurricanes: Will Mallory named to John Mackey Award Watch List

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Miami Hurricanes tight end Will Mallory was named to the 2021 John Mackey Award Watch List on Friday.

Mallory filled in a nice secondary role for Miami last season, as he formed a tandem with Brevin Jordan. He recorded 22 catches for 329 yards and four touchdowns last season. Mallory had many productive games last fall. He had some really good, productive games. One of those games included a two-catch 51-yard performance against Pittsburgh. Both those catches went for touchdowns.

He also played well against North Carolina State on November 6. In that contest, he recorded eight catches for 79 yards and a touchdown.

With Jordan out of the picture, Mallory may figure to play a bigger role for the Miami Hurricanes in the fall. I touched on it a little bit earlier in the week. Mallory has size and ability to run after the catch. That should bode well for him as D’Eriq King looks to play even better than he did in 2020. Instead of playing  the backup role, he will now take center stage.

There are some big-time names on this watch list, and Mallory will certainly have a chance to stand out from the rest of the pack. With how open the Miami Hurricanes want to make their offense, Mallory should be able to have plenty of balls thrown his way. Mallory should figure to be a key part of the Miami hurricanes offense, and it will be interesting to see how he takes over the starting role.

He has as good a shot as anybody to win this award. If he can continue to be a dependable target like he was last season, he has a very good shot. Consistent production from the tight end spot will be key for Miami if they want to contend with the elite of college football.

Miami Hurricanes

Miami Hurricanes land Justin Medlock as recruiting continues to roll

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The recruiting momentum continues for the Miami Hurricanes, as Friday they landed a commitment from three-star linebacker Justin Medlock.

Medlock is the 48th overall linebacker and his class, and the 67th overall player in his class from the state of Texas per the 247Sports Composite Rankings. He was recruited to Miami by special teams coordinator and outside linebackers coach Jonathan Patke.

Medlock and other schools on his radar as well. LSU, Ohio State, and Oklahoma were all vying for him. In the end, Miami won out.

This is a huge get for Miami at a position of need as well. The Miami Hurricanes need to continue stocking the linebacker position as that is one of need. They have struggled to develop the position itself, as well as get physical athletes . Medlock checks both boxes.

Medlock brings multiple things to Miami Hurricanes

What could he bring to the table for Miami in terms of play? He is a very physical player who is not afraid to do whatever it takes to win. That sounds cliché, but he can drop back in coverage as well as come up and stop the run. More and more, we are seeing players with versatility in college football. Medlock is certainly versatile.

He is also very strong in terms of pursuit. As soon as he identifies the ball carrier, he can come up and make a play with ease. He takes very good angles to the ball carrier, and that allows him to continue to be involved in the play. in terms of the Miami defense itself, I could see him excelling in stopping the run.

Miami ranked ninth in the ACC with 180.6 yards allowed per contest in 2020. That is certainly not the worst number, but it’s one that can be improved upon. Medlock should be able to help Miami build a strong run defense for the future. A key to success is continuing to build depth. That’s what Miami is doing here at the linebacker position

Currently Miami’s 2022 class ranks 75th overall nationally and 13th overall in the ACC per the 247Sports Team Rankings. This class has been on an upswing over the past couple of weeks, and I would expect more additions sooner rather than later.

This is another big get for the Miami Hurricanes. After a slow start to the 2022 class, this summer has been anything but slow.

Miami Hurricanes safety Avante Williams dismissed from program

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Miami Hurricanes safety Avante Williams was arrested early Thursday morning for aggravated battery on a pregnant woman. Thursday evening, it was announced he was dismissed from the program.

A spokesperson from the University of Miami released a statement  Thursday morning  regarding the incident.

What does this mean for Miami Hurricanes?

Heading into the 2021 season, Williams was thought to be emerging part of the defensive rotation at safety. Miami does have depth at the position, which allows them to be able to weather the dismissal of Williams. Bubba Bolden, Amari Carter, and Gervin Hall are all veteran names that will definitely be slotted into the equation at safety.

With that being said, all three of those guys are upperclassman. Once they graduate, depth will be an issue. In that respect, this is a big blow for the Miami hurricanes football program. Williams was one of the top signees of the 2020 class, and he was going to be a staple in the defensive backfield for years to come.

Nevertheless, this is an issue that is much bigger than football.

Miami Hurricanes: Offensive lineman Flip Carswell commits to program

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The good recruiting momentum continued for the Miami Hurricanes on Wednesday, as they were able to land a commitment from three-star offensive lineman Falentha “Flip” Carswell.

Carswell is the 64th overall offensive tackle in his class, and the 72nd overall player in his class from the state of Georgia pe the 247Sports Composite Rankings. He is ranked numerically as an 87.

In addition to Miami, he also had offers from Georgia State, Georgia Tech, NC State, and Ole Miss on the table. He was recruited by Garin Justice. It is worth noting that Justice has brought in players such as Laurence Seymour, Michael McLaughlin, and Ryan Rodriguez. The offensive line coach has done a nice job at recruiting his position, and bringing stellar talent to Coral Gables.

Carswell visited Miami on June 11.

What can he bring to Miami Hurricanes?

What can he bring to the Miami Hurricanes? For one, he can bring size. He measures in at six-foot-seven, 275 pounds. That size will be important for Miami’s offensive line. Size is prominent throughout college football. The most successful teams, and the ones who make it  to the College Football Playoff all have size. The Hurricanes certainly got that with Carswell’s commitment.

The Miami Hurricanes have grown their 2022 class in the last couple of weeks, and they are starting to build a nice base of players. They currently have five commitments in the class. The class itself is ranked 75th nationally and 13th overall in the ACC per the 247Sports Team Rankings.

It will be intriguing to see who else Miami picks up in the 2022 class.  They are starting to  fill some needs, which is important. You have heard me talk about pipelines at  certain positions and how Miami needs to start building some.

The offensive line is a position group  where Miami could really benefit from establishing continuity and consistency. Getting recruits like Carswell is a start. Hopefully player development and skill will follow the success.

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Miami Hurricanes: Will Mallory has a chance to shine in lead role

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It was evident last season that the Miami Hurricanes offense relied heavily on the tight end position. With Brevin Jordan having a good year in 2020, one player that really complemented him well was tight end Will Mallory.

Mallory caught 22 passes for 329 yards and four touchdowns. With Jordan battling some injury issues last season, Mallory stepped up. He caught 22 passes for 329 yards and four touchdowns. His best game of the season statistically came against Pittsburgh. In that contest, he caught two passes for 51 yards and two touchdowns.

Mallory was a second part of the dynamic duo that he and Jordan created. He immediately bolstered Miami’s depth at the tight end position when Jordan was out. Now, Mallory is going to have to take over that role with Jordan in the NFL, and not a lot of experienced depth behind him in Coral Gables.

His sure hands and ability to run after the football are reasons why I think he’ll fill the void left by Jordan. As soon as he catches the football, he is able to run downhill. We saw it a ton last year, particularly in the NC State game. in addition, he runs his routes well, and is able to track the football. We saw that in the Pittsburgh game last year, one where he really made the most of his opportunity.

That type of play style is exactly what Miami wants in their offense, and I think Mallory will be able to fit nicely in a lead role. To me,  the bigger challenge for the Miami Hurricanes is going to be who will step up in the secondary role Mallory was in last year. again, it’s not a question of talented depth for Miami, it’s a question of experience.

An injury did cost Mallory spring practices. With that being said, he should be ready for the start of fall camp. Miami certainly needs him to be ready to go.

The 2021 season could be a big one for Mallory. With how often the Miami Hurricanes use the tight end, Mallory should be able to have plenty of chances for success.

Miami Hurricanes: D’Eriq King named to Maxwell Award Watch List

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The 2021 Maxwell Award Preseason Watch List was released on Monday, and a member of the Miami Hurricanes was on the list. Quarterback D’Eriq King made the cut after a successful 2020 season in Coral Gables.

King passed for 2,686 yards, 23 touchdowns, and five interceptions. He had many memorable performances last season. Statistically, none was bigger than against North Carolina State. He shone brightly under the Friday night lights, going 31-of-41 on the afternoon, throwing for 430 yards and five touchdowns.

With a veteran group of wide receivers, King could have a realistic shot at winning this award.  Mike Harley, newcomer Charleston Rambo, Dee Wiggins and Mark Pope all figure to have sizable roles in the offense this year. The Hurricanes have tremendous depth at the position, and wide receiver should be a strength for this team, unlike in past years.

With this being King’s second year under Rhett Lashlee, things could be even better than they were last year. He had a great year. However, there were times when he looked indecisive in terms of whether to run or pass the football. If he can get that under control, the Miami Hurricanes will be even more lethal offensively than they were at times last year.

2021’s Maxwell list features accomplished quarterbacks in contention for the award. The last member of the Miami Hurricanes to receive this award was Ken Dorsey in 2001. If King were to win this award, he would certainly be placed in good company.

King will have a chance to grab the national spotlight September 3, when Miami takes on a revamped Alabama Crimson Tide squad. Assuming King is healthy and ready to go, that could be a big moment for him and the program. A win could vault Miami to national prominence once again.

 

 

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Miami Hurricanes in play for 2022 LB Justin Medlock with decision looming

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The last couple of weeks have been extremely productive for the Miami Hurricanes in terms of recruiting. Later this week,  more good news could be coming.

2022 three-star linebacker Justin Medlock will be announcing his decision this Friday.

Medlock is the 47th overall linebacker in the 2022 class, and the 62nd overall linebacker in this class from the state of Texas per the 247Sports Composite Rankings.

Right now, it appears that Miami and Oklahoma are the top two schools that are vying for his services. Several of the Crystal Balls have him going to Oklahoma. However, a new development on Sunday could work in Miami’s favor.

Gaby Urrutia put in a Crystal Ball in Miami’s favor on Sunday. It is worth noting that it is a medium confidence crystal ball. With the linebacker being a position of need, Medlock would be a big get for Miami.

Measuring in at six-foot-one, 210 pounds, Medlock is the type of athletic linebacker Miami needs. When I was watching a little bit of his film, one of the things I noticed was his ability to read plays. If a passing play came his way, he kept his eyes on the quarterback and tracked the football in order to break up a potential pass.

Generally speaking, he has enough speed to be able to cover underneath, and that will certainly work well in an era of college football where versatility is important.

In terms of what he was able to do in stopping the run, he was very good at being able to break down, and fill the running lane rather quickly. Again, the way he pursued the play and how instinctively he went after the football was a major factor. He was able to stop a running play from getting to the second level.

That type of tenacity and stopping the run  could potentially work well for this Miami Hurricanes defense. Especially from the linebacker position, that would be a bonus.

Currently, Miami’s 2022 class ranks 75th nationally and 14th overall in the ACC per the 247Sports Team Rankings. Those numbers are a bit deceiving, given how well Miami has recruited in the last couple of weeks. They are really starting to build a strong class.

Miami fans will certainly be watching what happens on Friday. Medlock would be a major get for a position that has underwhelmed at times. Miami needs to start landing big-time linebackers. Medlock would be a great start.

 

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Miami Hurricanes: N’Kosi Perry enters transfer portal, adds QB room clarity

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A Miami Hurricanes quarterback is no longer in the fold. Thursday, N’Kosi Perry announced that he would be entering the transfer portal.

Perry passed for 348 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception. His most notable performance this season came against Oklahoma State in the Cheez-It Bowl. In that game, he went 19-of-34 on the afternoon and threw for 228 yards. He also managed to record two touchdowns in that game.

Good timing for former Miami Hurricanes quarterback

This is perfect timing for Perry for a couple reasons. For one, Miami’s quarterback room is crowded. In addition to King, Tyler Van Dyke and Jake Garcia are also in the fold. This was a good time for him to transfer, as he probably was not going to see much playing time.

Secondly, he leaves the Hurricanes on a good note. Although Miami lost the ball game, he put together a solid body of work in it. He looked comfortable within the offense, and he moved the ball down the field pretty well. Especially considering that he had not played in any extended playing capacity for quite a while, his performance in this game was impressive. This is exactly what he needed to do to boost his stock.

His best season with Miami came in 2018. That year, he threw for 1,091 yards, 13 touchdowns, and six interceptions. Last season, he threw for 1,045 yards, a touchdowns, and three interceptions. Although not bad statistically, he lacked the firepower that this offense currently has.

With this move, the Miami Hurricanes quarterback room becomes a little bit clearer. Miami has pieces for the future as well as a star right now in King. It’s amazing what a difference a year makes, particularly in the quarterback room, as the room itself has been completely reworked. Miami will definitely need all the help they can get at the position, with Alabama the opening opponent for 2021.

Miami Hurricanes: D’Eriq King to return for 2021 season

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Christmas may already have passed, but the Miami Hurricanes got another present a day late. Saturday, Miami quarterback D‘Eriq King announced that he would be coming back for the 2021 season.

King absolutely electrified the Miami offense this season. In total, he recorded 2573 passing yards, two touchdowns, and five interceptions.

His best game of the season came on November 6. Against North Carolina State, he put on a show. He went 31-of-40 on the afternoon, throwing for 430 yards and five touchdowns.

King gave Miami Hurricanes stability

This season, King gave the Miami passing game stability. This was something they did not have last year. His dual-threat ability helped ignite a Miami offense that was full of playmakers, especially at wide receiver. Although there were some struggles early on, King managed to put everything together, by the end of the season.

King’s arrival undoubtedly changed the culture of the Miami program as well. He offered leadership as well as skill, and that certainly showed on the field.

Now, he will look to have a big second year. With the opener slated to take place against Alabama, he will have a chance to make noise early.

One has to wonder if there will be any Miami quarterbacks hitting the transfer portal as result of this news. In what has been a very active couple of days with the transfer portal, players around the country have elected to pursue that route an effort to continue their college football careers.

Miami will certainly be in good hands for the 2021 season, and King will undoubtedly be a huge part of the Hurricanes offense. If he can be the same dynamic playmaker he was this season, the Miami Hurricanes could have a very realistic chance of standing the top of the ACC, and potentially making the College Football Playoff.

Miami Hurricanes: Tate Martell opts out of 2020 season

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There is another update in the Tate Martell saga. Martell is opting out of the 2020 football season.

Just last week, he was suspended for Miami’s opener against Alabama Birmingham. All indications were that he would be suspended for only that one game.

It’s been an uneventful ride on the field for Martell as a member of the Miami Hurricanes. He has recorded one pass for seven yards and rushed once for three yards against Bethune-Cookman in 2019.

He is currently not on the quarterback depth chart anyway. D’Eriq, King, N’Kosi Perry, and Tyler van Dyke are on the depth chart currently. If this is indeed Martell’s last ride with Miami, there is no doubt that he failed to deliver on the hype.

Hype before the Miami Hurricanes

I remember watching his highlights when he played at Bishop Gorman High School. He was one of the better quarterbacks I had ever seen at that time. He would throw for 2,362 yards and 41 touchdowns as a senior. He also proved his worth on the ground, running for 1,257 yards and 21 touchdowns. he looked like a Division 1 prospect in every sense of the word.

Martell was a dual-threat quarterback first and foremost. He just could not live up to the hype. What’s next for him? One can only guess. However, it would nor be a stretch to say that the Miami Hurricanes are probably not in his future plans.

Whatever the case may be, Martell’s story is all too familiar. A prominent high school prospect cannot handle the fame he has been given, and all of the duties that come with it. I’ll be interested to see where he ends up, and I’m not sure if his football career is over yet.

With the Miami quarterback room now set, it certainly brings more clarity for not only the 2020 season,  but beyond.