Miami checklist: ‘Eliminate fear of failure’ in WRs, develop physical RBs, push OL depth
Kevin Beard wants his Miami receivers to “eliminate the fear of failure.’’
Tim Harris Jr. wants physical runners, blockers and pass-catchers.
Alex Mirabal has no qualms about starting a true freshman offensive tackle.
And Cody Woodiel expects “electric, explosive” tight ends at The U.
Four Hurricanes offensive assistant coaches spoke to the media Thursday after Miami’s eighth spring practice session — three of them for the first time.
Two of them — Beard, a standout receiver on the 2001 national championship team; and Harris, a four-time UM All-American track star — were exceptional UM athletes, with Beard also having served as the 2015 Canes wide receivers coach coach and 2014 assistant director of operations.
“I’m trying to help them eliminate the fear of failure,’’ Beard, 42, said of Miami’s receivers, who have been a work in progress for several years, without a lot to show for the struggle. “Once they can understand that, right now, it’s okay to fail, because the only way to get to success is by learning how you fail. And once they understand how they’re failing, now they can stop doing that and do the next thing to help them succeed. And once they see it, that starts the believing part.”
Miami’s receivers have been a work in progress for several years, without a lot to show for the struggle. The Canes had a hard time in just about every offensive category last season. They finished 2022 ranked 96th of 131 FBS teams in rushing offense (128.1 yards a game), 60th in passing offense (239 yards a game), 86th in total offense (367.1), 87th in red-zone offense, 97th in scoring (23.6 points a game) and 109th in sacks allowed (3 a game, with 36 total).
“A lot of guys come in to college with a lot of hype and accolades,’’ Beard said. “And sometimes they don’t really know what they don’t know. And then they learn that, ‘In order for me to be a wide receiver I have to master my craft.’”
Beard mentioned true freshman Nathaniel “Ray Ray” Joseph as a player who “is on the jugs machine practically every morning before practice. ...It’s really cool to see him. ...They’re seeing the issues and attacking it on a day-to-day basis.”
When asked about 6-3 redshirt freshman Isaiah Horton, a big-bodied wideout, Beard said he was “very talented,’’ but added this: “Some people need to develop fundamentally, some people need to develop emotionally, some people need to develop psychologically. With him, it’s a little bit of all of it. Because he’s been so much bigger than everybody all his life. He’s just been able to bully and do what he wants to do. Now everybody’s his size. So he has to learn the details, the technique and the fundamentals. That’s going to help him separate himself from the rest of the pack.”
Mirabal on Mauigoa
The Hurricanes, who appear to be building a nationally imposing offensive line, finally have depth, said Mirabal, but are working on their chemistry and cohesion daily — on and off the field. He indicated that five-star freshmen tackles Francis Mauigoa (6-6, 315) and Samson Okunlola (6-6, 300) “are awesome,’’ but not because of “the recruiting hype and the BS.’’ He said they’re “five-star work ethic” and desire to “be coached hard’’ have help propel them.
Their talent doesn’t hurt, either. Mirabal said Mauigoa “is running with the ones at right tackle because he earned it’’ and Okunlola “is running with the twos at left tackle because he earned it.’’
He, and other coaches, have also gushed about UCF transfer center Matt Lee and Alabama transfer guard Javion Cohen, as well as left tackle Jalen Rivers and sophomore right guard Anez Cooper, 348 intimidating pounds on a 6-4 frame.
Physical RBs
Harris, 37, came to UM in February from UCF, where he served as the co-offensive coordinator, running backs coach and assistant head coach. He spoke about physicality in all aspects of the running/blocking/pass-catching game, and wouldn’t expound on any particular philosphy he likes regarding one dominant lead back or several who share the load.
Harris talked about highly regarded prep signees Mark Fletcher (American Heritage) and Chris Johnson (Dillard), who arrive this summer, Harris andcalled them “tough, physical runners... guys that can create big plays.’’ He said “they complement each other very well’’ — one who “creates plays in the open field” and the other who can “get the ball out in space and get your offense out in a hurry.’’
“But we’re going to be tough. That’s my mentality.’’
Tight ends
Woodiel, who took over as tight ends coach this spring, raved about head coach Mario Cristobal and Mirabal, with whom he previously worked at Oregon. “If I had fathers and mentors in this industry, those are my guys...’’
He said he wants his tight ends “to dominate all three phases: run game, protections and pass game... This offense is going to give us an opportunity to get in space and create interior mismatches, whether with linebackers or safeties — flex out to the boundary one-on-one, take the opportunity to throw deep and make plays. .It’s going to fun. It’s going to be explosive.”
This story was originally published March 30, 2023 at 6:59 PM.
