Miami’s record-setting future quarterback patient (but ‘ready’) behind Van Dyke, Garcia
Jacurri Brown knows he’s not a star, even if “the TSA guy at the Miami airport” let him “skip like 70 people” last weekend to get to the front of the security line.
No, he’s not a star — not at the University of Miami, at least.
Not yet.
But the 6-4, 204-pound prolific runner and passer, who on Wednesday will sign his letter of intent to play for the Hurricanes, says he’s patient. His Lowndes High coach says he’s loyal. And the record books say he’s gifted.
In January, the big-bodied 18-year-old quarterback from Valdosta, Georgia, will arrive in Coral Gables, where he will begin classes and play behind national standout Tyler Van Dyke, former high school phenom Jake Garcia — the backup — and a couple other signal callers.
The school once known as “Quarterback U” will add another talented quarterback to its roster.
Brown’s nickname: HBK, for Heartbreak Kid, “just like” retired professional wrestler Shawn Michaels, explained Brown, who said he understands the depth of competition at Miami.
“I’m not the type of guy to shy away from competition,’’ Brown, rated four stars by 247Sports and ESPN, and three stars by Rivals, told the Miami Herald during a Monday phone conversation. “I’m ready to get better every day. Eventually I’ll get my shot. [Former Alabama quarterback and current New England Patriots starter] Mac Jones waited his turn behind Jalen Hurts and Tua Tagovailoa. And now he’s doing better than both of them.”
Heroic effort
Brown’s Lowndes Vikings finished 10-3 this past season, thwarted in the playoffs when he competed with a high right-ankle sprain sustained the previous week on Nov. 20 in a heroic effort. Halfway through the first quarter of that playoff game, he “was running and got tackled from behind and rolled into as I was standing up,’’ Brown said. “My leg caved in and I fell backwards.
“It was a lateral sprain and I stretched ligaments in front of my Achilles [tendon].”
He compared the intense pain to getting hit in the shin by a razor scooter while riding. “Just 10 times worse,’’ he said. “Take your right hand and turn it to the right and that’s what my ankle did.’’
Despite the injury, he got a cortisone shot at halftime, then returned to the game. Down 34-28 at fourth-and-13 from the Norcross High 23-yard line with 1:13 left, Brown found teammate Khris Thomas in the end zone for the 35-34 eventual victory — but not before he made another impressive play. And on defense, no less.
Lowndes coach Jamey DuBose inserted Brown as a “super safety” for Norcross’s last offensive play of the game — “I hadn’t played safety since ninth grade,’’ Brown said.
But, naturally, Brown completed the heroic storyline by diving for the game-saving interception.
Big numbers
Brown only played a little more than two quarters that game, but finished with 198 yards and a touchdown passing and 80 yards and a touchdown rushing. His senior passing numbers in 13 games: 136 of 242 for 2,165 yards and 23 touchdowns, with only three interceptions. His senior rushing numbers: 882 yards and 10 touchdowns on 174 carries (5.1-yards-per-carry).
His career numbers in four seasons: 5,552 yards passing with 51 touchdowns and 17 interceptions; and 4,205 yards rushing (6.3-yard average) with 54 touchdowns.
He has the Lowndes career records for passing yards, rushing yards and rushing touchdowns, and is three shy of the passing touchdowns record.
In an era when star high school players do a lot of transferring, Brown stayed loyal to one program.
“He loves this place and this community loves him,’’ DuBose said. “If you can be a legend in your community, he’s that guy. Four-year guy that’s led this team to the semifinals, finals, semifinals again and this year the quarterfinals.
“He’s excited to play for Miami. He knows he’s got a lot to learn about the college game. I don’t see Jacurri as a guy who jumps in a transfer portal. He’s a very committed guy. He knows you’ve got to work to earn your spot. He’s not spoiled in any way.”
Frequent visitor
Brown said he has visited Miami five times, including in ninth grade at former coach Manny Diaz’s football camp. His last visit, an official one, was this past weekend to get a better understanding of new UM coach Mario Cristobal, who left Oregon to become the Hurricanes coach on Dec. 6.
“It was a whole bunch of stuff coming out of nowhere,’’ said Brown, who got a visit from Cristobal, soon-to-be offensive line coach Alex Mirabal and UM tight end coach Stephen Field the night Cristobal was hired. “My heart had been set on Miami since the start, but I needed to get to know the coach better.
“You meet a new coach and if you’re paying attention you can see through the bull. But he was down to earth and you could see how much he cares about Miami and football in general. I feel like I could relate to him. He’s exciting. He brings energy. He’s good with words — I’ll give him that. He can give a speech and it just comes off his brain so easily.’’
Brown said he texted Diaz and “thanked him for giving me this opportunity” and wished him “good luck” and said he appreciated him. “I’m South Georgia raised,’’ said Brown, the youngest of three boys brought up by his “granny” as well as his mother. He said he’s lived the past four high school years with his best friend’s family “eight minutes away” from Lowndes.
‘Power spread’
Brown was recruited by former UM offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee, who was recently hired as SMU’s head coach. He said Cristobal told him the offense would “be power spread for sure.’’
Brown watched UM practice for the Dec. 31 Sun Bowl this past weekend during his visit, and said acting offensive coordinator Rob Likens, UM’s usual receivers coach, “had a lot of fun.’’
“Actually, everybody had fun,’’ Brown said. “They were organized and had a lot of energy.’’
He said he’s still rehabbing his ankle injury, and wears a boot when he’s away from home and has to walk a lot.
Soon enough, he’ll be on Greentree Field without a boot, preparing for the future.
“He loves the place,’’ DuBose said. “He’s excited to get started. He’s a very infectious guy who will help that program in many, many way.’’
This story was originally published December 14, 2021 at 1:34 PM.
