Miami Hurricanes coaches provide key player updates, talk position battles before opener
In a blast from the past, new Miami Hurricanes coach Mario Cristobal conducted his first game-week news conference from the Edgerrin James Team Meeting Room, where former greats years ago regularly spent time speaking with reporters — and where a huge mural of legendary Hurricane and Pro Football Hall of Fame member James, known as EJ to Canes fans, graces a wall.
Five days before the Miami Hurricanes meet the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats in Mario Cristobal’s inaugural game as UM head coach, Cristobal, offensive coordinator Josh Gattis and defensive coordinator Kevin Steele spoke about several of their players, position groups and updates as the game nears.
The team still has “several position battles going on,’’ Cristobal said, ”moreso on defense than offense.’’ He said offensively “there’s a lot more clarity as to who will open up the game as a starter. On defense, we have multiple positions that still require a couple more days of figuring it out and assessing to see who goes out on the field first.
“We have multiple co-starters on defense.’’
The coach indicated he wasn’t prepared yet to release a depth chart.
Player updates
Cristobal said veteran tight end Will Mallory, who wore a red, no-contact jersey for most of fall camp as he rehabilitated from offseason shoulder surgery, would be “full go’’ for Saturday but that “it will be on a conditioning-based rep count. Always safety first with our players. With Will, he’s been cleared. He’s been practicing full speed. We’ve been ramping him up.”
“He’s anxious and he’ll tell you he’s in condition to take 120 plays but he’s getting real, real close. Certainly we’re looking forward to seeing him Saturday.’’
▪ On previously projected left tackle Zion Nelson (knee scope), who Cristobal said as recently as early last week had not practiced: “He has practiced. His actual rep count on Saturday is yet to be determined.”
Reporter: “It sounds like he’s going to play.’’
Cristobal: “Is yet to be determined.’’
▪ Regarding some of the other injured players/position groups, Cristobal confirmed earlier on WQAM that freshman TreVonte’ Citizen was out for the season (ACL tear) and reiterated that sophomore Don Chaney Jr. (hip, according to source) was out for an extended period. He also said Jaylan Knighton, who was held out of the second scrimmage and some practices for “precautionary” reasons, “is good to go. He looked great [Sunday].”
Cristobal was asked in his news conference if he could comment about the on3.com report of UAB running back Lucious Stanley being added to the roster as a walk-on. “I don’t know if I can,’’ the coach said. “When I’m cleared to, I certainly would be glad to speak about anybody.’’
The defense is obviously still ahead of the offense, but when asked about the inconsistent receivers, Cristobal said he was “really pleased with the last four days of practice...That word kept popping up — consistency — because there were flashes but not on a consistent basis.” He said as he “pared things down” and started “getting more reps with the same group of guys working together, we saw more production...and felt really confident leaving practice Saturday. We’ve gained ground. We’ve made progress.”
Gattis said sophomore Key’Shawn Smith “has had a really good camp.’’
“Lately he’s been able to settle in at one position and now you’ve seen that position start to grow.’’
Gattis said Clemson transfer Frank Ladson, a fourth-year junior who was injured much of his Clemson career, is all about “getting that confidence” and “rhythm” back.
Henry Parrish
Gattis mentioned Ole Miss transfer tailback Henry Parrish first when asked about the running back situation with the injured players. “It just makes the next man have to prepare and be ready,’’ Gattis said. “Obviously we have some challenges in that running back room, but the guys we do have we feel great about.
“Henry Parrish is going to have an opportunity to really establish himself. We’re very, very fortunate to have him because he’s really talented. And Jaylan Knighton is a guy that everyone knows his ability, how explosive he is and the big-play ability he has. ...It’s also going to force guys like Thad [Franklin] to step their game up. We always do everything by committee.’’
Regarding the offensive line, Gattis said “based on our depth and overall numbers every guy has played every position. But this is one of those weeks where we’re looking forward to settling in on a starting five.... It all starts with the consistency, having the same five out there each and every week and obviously a big piece of that is our health.”
Gattis said he was especially looking forward to having guard Jalen Rivers (major knee surgery) and tackle John Campbell (major knee surgery) back.
Tyrique Stephenson
Former Georgia cornerback Tyrique Stephenson, who played with UM last season and is an NFL prospect, has improved “his technique,’’ Steele said. “He has the ability to play multiple positions. He can play star, he can play corner, he could play safety if he had to. He’s a big guy, so he’s a physical presence that runs very well. He’s very, very talented. So, it’s just understanding the game... The football IQ part of it, he’s made a big jump.’’
Cristobal also praised cornerbacks DJ Ivey, West Virginia transfer Daryl Porter, Isaiah Dunson and Malik Curtis. Curtis returns kicks and punts as well as playing corner.
Caleb Johnson
Steele on 6-1, 230-pound sixth-year UCLA redshirt senior transfer linebacker Caleb Johnson: “He has progressed very nicely. He’s a physically gifted guy. He can run, he’s strong he’s got a little more girth to him than some. He can play with power downhill, knock people back.. That’s hard to find in linebackers anymore.”
This story was originally published August 29, 2022 at 4:50 PM.
