New and Veteran Canes Creating Intense Competition at Fall Camp

Posted on August 5, 2018 by Marcus Benjamin

Marcus Benjamin @_benjaminmoney

 

Coral Gables, FL – The Hurricanes were ranked in the top ten for the first time in the preseason Coaches Poll since 2005.  Expectations are through the roof of the new indoor practice facility and the veteran leadership keeps this team grounded as freshmen experience their first fall camp.  The competition is fierce as all are essentially competing for playing time, but the vets serve as a reminder that “The U” is one team.

“We’re all family,” said junior wide receiver Lawrence Cager.  “We all know that we are competing for jobs but at the end of the day you just go out there and have fun.  You do what you were recruited here to do. We’re happy for someone else making a play then ourselves.”

Head coach Mark Richt was impressed with Day 2 of fall practice on another sweltering day in South Florida.  Each unit has its fair share of young players and veterans providing a nice mix of depth for the team at all positions.  

“The old guys set a standard,” said junior linebacker Michael Pinkney.  “We’re trying to uphold that standard.  I think the young guys learn a lot from us.  I’m excited to see what they can do.”

The projected starting offensive line unit has its share of young and old players.  Senior left tackle Tyree St. Louis, senior left guard Jahir Jones , sophomore Navaughn Donaldson at right tackle, junior Hayden Mahoney at right guard and senior Tyler Gauthier at center.  Coach Richt said since Spring that he is trying to get the right five guys for the offensive line to go to the next level.  

“There was some really bright moments today with the #1 unit especially picking up some nice nasty blitzes,” said coach Richt.  “We did protect well a number of times. More times than not. Quarterbacks had time to hold the ball, make the reads and make throws.  It was impressive and fun to watch.”

What truly has been fun to watch is defensive tackle Gerald Willis back on the practice field.  The fifth year senior essentially missed two years and finally is getting a chance to show why he was a five star talent coming out of Louisiana.  

“I’ve been waiting for this opportunity for a long time now, said Willis.  “I’m a better person now I got my relationships right with my family and I’m ready to ball.”  

He was able to shed his body fat by ten percent and gained about 15 pounds of muscle.  At his size at 6’4″ 300 pounds, he is quick on his feet and maintains the agility much needed at the position with the departure of RJ McIntosh and Kendrick Norton to the NFL.  He also has assumed the responsibility of instilling confidence with the young guys.

“I just tell them to just keep grinding,” said Willis.  “Don’t let the coaches or nobody down you. Just keep going.”

The opener against LSU means a bit more for the veteran defender.

“I’m really excited to play against an SEC team.  We open against my home town. I’m trying to get the young guys ready so we can go dominate.  We are going to ball till we fall.”

 

The Miami Hurricanes open the season Sunday night, Labor Day weekend at AT&T Stadium in Dallas, TX.

 

 

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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