Howard agreed that the comfort level of playing with teammates he already knows has already accelerated the learning process. “We had chemistry even before I came in,” he said. “Some of us grew up together, like me, Duke Johnson, Malcolm Lewis. … We already had trust.”

Lewis, a freshman and Howard’s former Miramar teammate, wore the orange jersey Saturday given to first-teamers on offense, though offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch said offensive tackle Ereck Flowers is the lone freshman as of now slated as a starter.

The Old Canes “had a lot of energy and swag,” said Lewis, who threw up the U for fans and TV viewers after scoring a touchdown in the state championship game. “I want to bring the program back and make a big impact. It would make me real proud.”

Receiver Herb Waters, from Homestead High, echoed Lewis in his commitment to the future. “The competition level, it’s tremendously off the roof,” he said.

Freshman defensive end Dwayne Hoilett was born in Miami Gardens and moved to Vero Beach when he was 11. He still considers himself a South Floridian.

“I was always a big Hurricanes fan,” Hoilett said. “But whether you’re from South Florida or not, if you’re in this class we have a bond. We all want to make something happen this year.”

SUNDAY’s scrimmage

Miami has its first fall scrimmage Sunday — closed to the media and public.

Golden could announce the starting quarterback early this week, unless he waits to do it shortly after the second scrimmage next weekend.

Morris, a junior with considerably more experience in this offense than redshirt sophomore Ryan Williams, is the favorite.