Miami Depth At Elite Level With Freshmen Making Huge Impact In First Scrimmage

Posted on August 11, 2018 by Marcus Benjamin

Marcus Benamin @_benjaminmoney

Miami Gardens, FL – Last year, injuries decimated the Hurricanes as key players lost during the season affected the outcome of games down the stretch.  Depth has been an issue for the Canes in the Al Golden era and a top priority in the Mark Richt era.  Top 15 recruiting classes in the last two years have formed a team that can legitamately contend for a college football playoff spot.

“We have enough people now to allow our number three units to get just as many reps as everybody else,” said Head Coach Mark Richt after the Hurricanes first closed fall scrimmage at Hard Rock Stadium.  “Usually the ones and the twos get a lot of work and the threes we put them in there almost sometimes just to give the ones and twos a rest considering the lack of depth in the past.”

This week the depth at tight end took a hit when junior tight end Michael Irvin Jr. suffered a MCL knee injury and is projected to miss the majority of the season if not the entire season.  Fortunately the Hurricanes have two elite freshman tight ends to fill the void.  Four star tight ends Brevin Jordan and Will Mallory will have much to learn before the first game of the season against LSU in Dallas.

The different positional units on this team are stacked with its fair share of veterans and newcomers.  Like many football teams, this team will go as far as the offensive line and quarterback will take them.

“There were some sacks but most of them were in the third down and long catergory,” said Richt.  “Malik threw a couple of touchdowns and no picks.  The one [offensive line] unit all fall long has been really good.  No complaints there.”

Many of the 2018 freshmen class are projected to contribute right away including running back Lorenzo Lingard, defensive end Gregory Rousseau and defensive tackle Nesta Silvera.

In order for the Hurricanes to take that next step they will need contributions from all units.  Fortunately there were no significant injuries from tonight’s scrimmage as they will resume practice Monday as media day will also take place.  There will be one more closed organized scrimmage next week as the Canes continue to prepare for LSU.  Coach is doing his best to keep secrets within the team.

“In the fall I really don’t want to give anybody a clue of who’s doing what really.”

About Marcus Benjamin

Marcus Benjamin works as the senior writer and editor for FootballHotbed.com. He attended Florida A&M and Florida Memorial University completing a bachelors degree in communications in 2010. He's covered high school football in the South Florida area since 2010 for the Miami Herald, Miami Sports Tribune and ShawSports.net. He is married and lives in Fort, Lauderdale, FL.
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