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Orlando, FL – The Miami Hurricanes did something out of the box for their Spring Game. They decided to play the game in Orlando the site of their first game of the 2019 season against the Florida Gators. The offense defeated the defense 35-32 with Tate Martell (Bishop Gorman, Las Vegas, NV) scoring two touchdown passes.
“I thought there was good execution on both sides,” said Head Coach Manny Diaz. “I was happy to see all of our three quarterbacks make plays. We believe all three of those guys can play.”
One of Martell’s touchdown passes was an 80-yarder to transfer KJ Osborn (IMG Academy, Ypsilanti, MI). Osborn is fitting in nicely with former Alabama offensive coordinator Dan Enos’s offense as he caught three passes for 105 yards and the one touchdown.
Buffalo transfer @KJ_Osborn thinks the Spring went well and is looking to be a leader for @CanesFootball and gives his take on the QB performances. @FootballHotbed pic.twitter.com/2vX3JXHgnI
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) April 20, 2019
“We knew that could be a big play call,” said the redshirt Senior Osborn. “When Coach Enos put it in, it’s a play they ran a lot at Alabama. It was a play that they play a lot at Alabama. Jerry Jeudy scored on it a couple of times. I knew it could be a big play. I ran my route, Tate gave me a good ball, made a defender miss and I was able to take it.”
Osborn, with Jeff Thomas (East St. Louis, IL) out, is emerging as one of Miami’s best receivers. Osborn explains how he was able to transition well from Buffalo to Miami.
“I was able to transition well because the guys from last year were used to being on one side of the field. At Buffalo, we did a lot of shifts and motions but not as much as here. I feel our wide receiving corps can be the best in the country, we have awesome coaches and support, we just have to put the work in.”
QB Competition Heating Up
Enos is tasked with the tough job of naming a starting quarterback for the opener against the Florida Gators. The game will open the college football season and will be held at the same stadium of today’s Spring Game. Tate Martell seemingly made a great jump from last week’s scrimmage at Traz Powell Stadium in Miami. Martell helped Miami’s offense score in the red zone for his second touchdown pass finding Michael Irvin Jr. (St. Thomas Aquinas, Fort Lauderdale, FL) in the corner.
Offensive coordinator for @CanesFootball @CoachDanEnos says he thought he had a gut feeling about who would win the starting job but it keeps changing. @FootballHotbed pic.twitter.com/P98QUhLgNj
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) April 20, 2019
“Tate is a guy that has pretty much operated in the shotgun for his entire career,” said Enos. “We’ve asked him to do some things to get him out of his comfort zone and learn to be under center and at the end of the day that’s going to benefit him. All of them played well, but him, in particular, his last three practices have been his best ones.”
Martell went 6 for 10 for 154 yards and two touchdowns and was sacked twice. He also managed to net 18 yards rushing which were also the most among the quarterbacks.
Also throwing a touchdown in the red zone was Jarren Williams (Central Gwinnett, Lawrenceville, GA). Williams who had the least amount of reps for the day found Will Mallory (Providence, Jacksonville, FL) for a touchdown in the back of the end zone.
Williams went 4 for 6 for 44 yards with the one touchdown, one interception and was sacked three times. The one interception was a jump ball he threw up for Osborn that redshirt senior James Murphy (Avon, CT) wrestled away from the Buffalo transfer.
Mallory made an impressive diving catch for his score and is stepping in nicely with projected starter Brevin Jordan (Bishop Gorman, Las Vegas, NV) out with an injury.
“It was a great throw that set me up for a perfect touchdown, said Mallory. “I just needed him to give me a chance to make a play.”
Mallory finished with 3 catches for 63 yards and a touchdown and started the impressive offensive day with a 39-yard catch from N’kosi Perry (Vanguard, Ocala, FL). Perry found Jeremiah Payton (Fletcher, Jacksonville, FL) over on the sideline and Payton was able to get past the goal line with his speed for a score.
Perry finished the day with the most reps going 9 for 13 for 145 yards and the one touchdown but was sacked the most times with four.
The D-Line>The O-Line
The offensive line did not have a particularly great day giving up nine sacks and 16 tackles for loss. Jonathan Garvin (Lake Worth, FL) scored on a safety in the game with Scott Patchan (IMG Academy, Bradenton, FL) who was also impressive along with Nesta Silvera (American Heritage, Plantation). Gurvan Hall (Palm Beach Gardens, FL) and Gilbert Frierson (Coral Gables, FL) were impressive with run support registering six tackles between the two.
“The big thing is that we are starting to look like the Miami Hurricanes, said Coach Diaz. “In glimpses, you can kind of see the improvements that this team has made.”
Head Coach @Coach_MannyDiaz was pleased with the execution on both sides of the ball and is looking to repay the @CanesFootball fans with a victory against Florida Aug. 24th in Orlando. @FootballHotbed pic.twitter.com/XRgFpGGZYI
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) April 20, 2019
The leading tackler was redshirt freshman Patrick Joyner, Jr. (South Dade, Homestead, FL) who tallied four tackles and two tackles for loss. The concern of depth on the defensive line should be less of a concern based on the performance of true freshman Jahfari Harvey (Vero Beach, FL), redshirt freshman Greg Rousseau (Champagnat Catholic, Hialeah, FL) and redshirt freshman Jordan Miller (Sandalwood, Jacksonville, FL) all had multiple sacks and tackles for loss.
Defensive Coordinator Blake Baker was impressed with multiple defenders.
“Jordan Miller really had a good day,” said Coach Baker. “I couldn’t be more proud of [Patrick Joyner, Jr.] He made some plays in the backfield. He loves the game I’m really proud of his performance and love his attitude. [Jahfari Harvey] had an outstanding Spring he really has played well. He’s matured beyond his years, he understands the defense, he’s obviously engaged in meetings.”
Running Backs Shined When Given Opportunities
The running backs continued their impressive Spring as DeeJay Dallas (Glynn Academy, Brunswick, GA) had 13 carries for 57 yards including a 22-yard touchdown run and Camron Haris (Miami Carol City) had 13 carries for 44 yards including a 33-yard run and a catch for 12 yards. A lack of opportunities by the offensive line limited their chances to break big runs.
Richt Makes Suprise Appearance
Mark Richt made his first public appearance since stepping down as coach at the University of Miami and provided his opinion on the quarterbacks. Richt will be working for ESPN’s ACC network and stated that he has no desire to return to coaching.
.@MarkRicht asked the media in the press box who should be the starting QB? In My Opinion based on the first half: Tie for first with @KosiPerry and @TheTateMartell with @Jarren2Williams third. Here’s Coach Richt’s assessment. @CanesFootball @FootballHotbed pic.twitter.com/7MldNRtDeS
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) April 20, 2019
The following players were held out of game action today at Camping World Stadium due to injury:
WR Jeff Thomas
WR Brian Hightower
OL Corey Gaynor
LB Zach McCloud
RB Lorenzo Lingard
RB Asa Martin
RB Robert Burns
DT Jon Ford
LB Bradley Jennings
LB Waynmon Steed
LB De’Andre Wilder
Early Enrollees
Four-star Jahfari Harvey (Vero Beach, FL)
Four-star Jeremiah Payton (Fletcher, Jacksonville, FL)
Three-star Zion Nelson (Sumter, SC)
Incoming Freshmen For The Fall
Four Stars
DB Christian Williams (Daphne, AL)
DB Keontra Smith (Chaminade-Madonna, Hollywood, FL)
LB Avery Huff (St. Thomas Aquinas, Fort Lauderdale, FL)
DL Jason Blissett (Poly Prep, Brooklyn, NY)
DB Te’Cory Couch (Chaminade-Madonna, Hollywood, FL)
Three Stars
DL Cameron Williams (Chaminade-Madonna, Hollywood, FL)
DL Jared Harrison-Hunte (Christ The King Regional, Middle Village, NY)
TE Larry Hodges (Tampa Jesuit, FL)
DL Jalar Holley (Buford, GA)
LB Sam Brooks (Miami Northwestern, FL)
OL Adama El Gammal (Christ The King Regional, Middle Village, NY)
OL Jakai Clark (Grayson, Loganville, GA)
Incoming Transfers For The Fall
DL Trevon Hill, Virginia Tech
DL Chigozie Nnorouka, UCLA
DB Bubba Bolden, USC
LB Jaelen Phillips, UCLA (Pending Approval To Play Immediately)
RB Asa Martin, Auburn (Pending Approval To Play Immediately)
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