Alabama DT transfer joins Miami; WR Xavier Restrepo talks Tyler Van Dyke, offense
.JPG "Miami Hurricanes quarterback Tyler Van Dyke leads the team during warmups at the Carol Soffer Indoor Practice Facility at the University of Miami in Coral Gables on Wednesday, August 9, 2023.")
Two days before the Miami Hurricanes open their season against Miami of Ohio at 7 p.m. Friday (ACC Network) at Hard Rock Stadium, the Miami Herald confirmed through multiple sources that Alabama defensive tackle transfer Jamil Burroughs has joined the team.
Burroughs is enrolled, sources said, and has two seasons left to play in the next three seasons.
The recruiting network On3.com reported the news first Wednesday afternoon. Burroughs entered the transfer portal in late June following an altercation between the player and an assistant strength coach, the report said. The incident, in which police got involved, reportedly involved pellet guns on campus.
Burroughs, according to his former Crimson Tide team bio, is 6-3 and 309 pounds and was a redshirt sophomore in 2022. He is from Powder Springs, Georgia, and went to McEachern High School.
He was a consensus four-star high school prospect and was rated by ESPN the nation’s No. 24 defensive tackle.
Last season he played in 11 games and had eight tackles, including two for losses and one sack. In 2021, when he ultimately redshirted, he played in three games and had two tackles (one sack). In 2020 he played in six games and had five tackles.
Zoom teleconference
Earlier Wednesday afternoon, starting UM slot receiver Xavier Restrepo shared his excitement about the game and spoke about quarterback Tyler Van Dyke during a Zoom teleconference.
“How is Tyler’s attitude this week heading into this game after a very tough season last year? Also, how is his hand that reportedly got hit by a helmet?” Restrepo was asked.
Said Restrepo: “Tyler’s confidence is at the utmost high right now and is shining through the entire team, and especially the offense. We’re just excited.
“He’s our quarterback, and whether it’s Emory [Williams] or Jacurri [Brown], we’re just excited to take the field against the team. Tyler’s hand is 100 percent, and he’s looking really good.’’
UM coach Mario Cristobal said earlier in the week that Van Dyke was practicing and 100 percent after reports that he hit the thumb side of his throwing hand on a helmet during practice early last week.
Williams, who had a strong fall camp, is the true freshman quarterback who joined the program this past spring. Brown is Van Dyke’s sophomore backup.
Brown played in five games last season, completing 27 of 45 passes (60 percent) for 230 yards and three touchdowns, with three interceptions. He was sacked six times. His two starts were in a win against Georgia Tech, when he was 14 of 19 (73.7) for 136 yards and three touchdowns (and 87 yards rushing); and in a loss at Clemson, when he was 6 of 13 for 53 yards, with an interception.
Restrepo raved about new UM coordinator Shannon Dawson and his pass-prolific offense.
“Coach Dawson is such a player’s coach. We just listen to him. We fully truly trust in him. And when we take the field, he has full trust in us. We’re just able to make plays. He calls us playmakers [and says] not to be robots and go out there and make a play.
“So, even if you mess up, at least mess up going fast. He really emphasizes fast, fast, fast. ...We got some fast dudes on this offense, and again, Coach Dawson really trusts us and we really trust Coach Dawson’s game plan and all of his plays. So, plays down the field, intermediate or short, we’re fully confident and we’ve been practicing everything. We’re ready for anything that Coach Dawson puts on the table.’’
Also, when asked if he would be back to returning punts or kicks, Restrepo said, “I don’t think I can say that.
“But whatever the coach has planned for the team, he could always use me if he needs to. But I don’t think I can share that.’’
This story was originally published August 30, 2023 at 1:33 PM.
