What To Watch For In Miami Hurricanes Spring Game In Orlando

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Coral Gables, FL – On Thursday the Miami Hurricanes held their final practice of the Spring and will hold their final Spring Game at Camping World Stadium in Orlando Saturday at 12 noon.  New Head Coach Manny Diaz and his staff decided to have their final Spring Game in Orlando because of a Rolling Stone concert that was scheduled to be held at Hard Rock Stadium on 4/20. Also, a contributing factor in moving the game that normally would be in Miami is the fact that the Hurricanes will play their first home game in Orlando on August 24th at 7:00 PM.  The game essentially kicks off the college football season.

“I think it’s great,” said defensive backs coach Mike Rumph about having to travel to Orlando for the Spring Game.  “It’s a different atmosphere. It’s an overnight trip think it’s a genius idea by Coach Diaz to put us in the situation that we’ll be in on the 24th of August when we play [the] Florida Gators.   It’s a situation where we can mentally prepare for the game.”

Last week the Hurricanes held a Spring game locally at Traz Powell Stadium in Miami.  

The Narratives Surrounding Last Week’s Spring Game and What to Watch For in the Spring Game Saturday:

Quarterback Play

There is still no clear cut favorite as to who will take the first snap against Florida in the opener.  N’kosi Perry (Vanguard, Ocala, FL) seems like he will be the guy if Jarren Williams (Central Gwinnett, Lawrenceville, GA) and Tate Martell (Bishop Gorman, Las Vegas, NV) do not make a significant jump in Saturday’s game and in Fall camp.  

The pecking order of the quarterbacks starts with Perry, followed by Williams with Martell at a close third.  It is of course just a scrimmage so the creativity of the offense will be limited especially since the game will be played in Gator country, the game does serve as a platform to open some eyes of what these young quarterbacks can do in game situations.   

Will We See Some Progression With the Offensive Line or will this be a day where the defense dominates once again?

Corey Gaynor (Stoneman Douglas, Parkland, FL) was mentioned by Strength and Conditioning Coach David Feely as one of the players that have made significant strides in the weight room.  Gaynor suffered an injury during the Spring that has him out for the remainder of the Spring allowing Navaughn Donaldson (Miami Central) to play center. The 6’6” 340 pound Donaldson has now played every position on the offensive line and has thrived at center.  Delon Scaife (Miami Southridge) has now moved to guard and with all the movement on the line Coach Diaz likely will not have a solid starting five but with many of the O-Linemen switching positions, the line has potential to be versatile which may prove to be vital if further injuries occur.  

Donaldson, Gaynor, and Scaife seem to be locks while the other two positions will be a battle between Kai-Leon Herbert (American Heritage, Plantation, FL), Grad transfer Tommy Kennedy (Lake Forest, IL), and John Campbell (Dr. Phillips, Orlando, FL). Freshman Zion Nelson (Sumter, SC) has bulked up tremendously moving up to 271 from 240 over the spring and should add to some need depth on the O-Line.

The D-Line, on the other hand, is ahead of the O when it comes to solidifying a solid rotation.

“Pat Bethel (Vero Beach, FL) had a really solid Spring,” stated Defensive Coordinator Blake Baker.  “Big surprise out of that group is Jon Ford (Dillard, Fort Lauderdale, FL) and Nesta [Silvera] (American Heritage, Plantation, FL).  Those two had spectacular Springs. Tyreic Martin (Valley, AL) is doing some good things inside. I think we got a solid group in there.”  

For the second year in a row defensive end Gregory Rousseau (Champagnat, Hialeah, FL) impressed this Spring and will look to make an impact this fall.  

Strength and conditioning coach for @CanesFootball @Coach_DFeeley says @Greg_R5 is at the top of the list when it comes to training this Spring. Look for big things from the young man out of @ChampagnatCS. @FootballHotbed pic.twitter.com/eWPaCAKrjn

— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) April 18, 2019

CB1 and CB2 Positions Taking Shape

DJ Ivey (South Dade, Homestead, FL) is starting to clearly make a move to the starting cornerback position alongside Trajan Bandy (Miami Columbus, FL).  Coach Rumph who started on one of the best college football teams of all-time in the 2001 Miami squad wearing number the number 8 was asked who Ivey most resembled him.  

Defensive Backs Coach for @CanesFootball @CoachRumph16 said that @divey8_ @AlBlades_Jr and @F5_nigel made the most progress at the cornerback position this Spring. @FootballHotbed pic.twitter.com/opgukQ2Td9

— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) April 18, 2019

“DJ kinda reminds me of myself,” said Coach Rumph with a smile.  “It’s bigger than the number, he’s a big corner, he uses his length very well.  I really thrived off of physicality, I think he’s starting to get that. He’s starting to love the weight room with Coach Feely.  I think he can be an elite corner in the ACC if he puts his mind to and has a consistent sophomore year.”

Al Blades, Jr. (St. Thomas Aquinas, Fort Lauderdale, FL) surely will have some say on the second corner position as well as Rumph mentioned that he’s shown flashes this Spring.  The Hurricanes will bring in some young guys in the fall like TeCory Couch (Chaminade, Hollywood, FL) and Christian Williams (Daphne, AL) that are also expected to play.  

“They are going to have to learn the physicality really fast,” said Coach Rumph of incoming freshmen.  “Whoever can come in and communicate, tackle, and run to the ball super hard has the best opportunity to play as a freshman and it’s been like that since 2016.”

Bandy seems to have a stranglehold on the number one cornerback position, but who will be that number two? Perhaps the Spring game will further reveal.  

“Bandy has been a vocal leader,” said Rumph.  “He is the only guy that started for us last year so he is the veteran leader.”  

Depth Not an Issue At Skilled Positions

Not mentioned above are the skill positions (RB, WR, TE).  These positions are the least of Miami Hurricanes football fans worries.  Dee Jay Dallas (Glynn Academy, Brunswick GA) was especially impressive running the football as well as Camron Harris (Miami Carol City, FL) at Traz and we should expect much of the same at Camping World Stadium. Jeff Thomas (East St. Louis, IL), Brevin Jordan (Bishop Gorman, Las Vegas, NV), and Brian Hightower (IMG Academy, Bradenton, FL) are out with injuries allowing opportunities for Mark Pope (Miami Southridge, FL), Mike Harley (St. Thomas Aquinas, Fort Lauderdale, FL) and others to make big plays on Saturday.  

“We’re making it a preseason game and in college, you don’t get any of those so for me it’s a huge benefit and we have to take a huge advantage of that,” said Coach Blake.