Coral Gables, FL — The first scrimmage of 2021 is in the books, and as usual, optimism is high at Greentree Practice Field. Saturday, several underclassmen got an opportunity to show what they can do in real game situations. Generally, coaches will play upperclassmen based on experience, but this weekend’s scrimmage revealed that there could be a shake-up of who will actually play in official games on Saturdays. Junior Georgia transfer Tyrique Stevenson and second-year man Xavier Restrepo are two of the players that will push for playing-time based on Saturday’s performances.
“He’s willing himself to become a guy,” said Head Coach Manny Diaz of Restrepo post-scrimmage. “He’s got such a great competitive spirit and those are not easy yards. He’s making tough catches and run after catches and breaking some tackles.
Restrepo, an alum of Deerfield Beach High School, saw limited action last season as a punt returner and continues to take advantage of his opportunities once called. The speedy slot receiver caught nine balls for 144 yards and two touchdowns in Saturday’s scrimmage. Also receiving high praise from Coach Diaz was defensive back Tyrique Stevenson. Stevenson (featured in image covering Oklahoma transfer Charleston Rambo), an alum of Miami Southridge, will push for playing time at cornerback with his play Saturday.
“You can see the addition that Tyrique Stevenson has made to our defense. Standing out not just in pass coverage but run support and making good tackles.”
Miami ranked 67th out of 127 teams in passing yards allowed in 2020 with 233.9 yards per game.
At quarterback, second-year player Tyler Van Dyke and true freshman Jake Garcia seemingly will be in a battle for the backup position behind starter D’Eriq King coming back from a knee injury. Van Dyke went 10 for 15 for 114 yards and touchdown while Garcia went 15 for 19 for 188 and a touchdown.
“I thought both Tyler and Jake did a good job and both moved the ball well,” said Diaz. “Both made really nice throws. It’s going to be fun to watch those two guys battle it out.”
A point of emphasis made clear by Coach Diaz is improving the run game on both sides of the football. Don Chaney Jr. (Miami Belen Jesuit) saw action as a true freshman last year in will likely get a share of the carries along with senior Cam’Ron Harris (Miami Carol City) and fellow classmate Jaylan Knighton (Deerfield Beach) in 2021. Chaney rushed for 52 yards and a touchdown with the majority of his yards coming on a long touchdown run. Linebackers Corey Flagg Jr. (North Shore, TX) and Avery Huff (St. Thomas Aquinas, FL) seem well-positioned for playing time alongside Zach McCloud (Santaluces, FL), and true freshman linebacker/striker Chase Smith (Bayside, FL) and safety Avantae Williams (DeLand, FL) had one interception apiece in the scrimmage.
“I thought more often than not the defensive line controlled the line of scrimmage,” said Diaz. “We’ll advance to more situational stuff as we advance in spring practice. I thought the team played hard, they played for each other, and you want to see the identity of an offense and defense start to grow on these Saturdays and I thought we did a good job of that.”
Also of note, Andres Borregales (Chaminade-Madonna, FL), the younger brother of outstanding placekicker Jose Borregales, ended the scrimmage by making a 42-yard field goal. Jose received the Lou Groza award in 2020 which is given to the nation’s top kicker.
The Miami Hurricanes spring game will kick off on April 17th at Hard Rock Stadium.
All photos courtesy of Tim Brodgon of Miami Athletics
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