Another major Miami talent announces return for ’24; and update on QB Jacurri Brown
A little more than a week ago, accomplished University of Miami linebacker Francisco “Kiko” Mauigoa announced on social media that he would “RUN THIS BACK one more time’’ and return for the 2024 season.
Since then, silence from other Hurricanes who could have followed suit — until Monday. And the news was significant.
Starting left tackle Jalen Rivers said during a Zoom conference for next week’s Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl that he will return in 2024 for his fifth season — a huge benefit for UM, which had one of the best lines in the nation but is losing left guard Javion Cohen and center Matt Lee to the NFL Draft.
“I didn’t publicly make any announcement or anything, but I was planning to play in this game, and then I do plan to come back for another year, too,’’ said 6-5, 330-pound Rivers, a second-team All-ACC honoree who started all 12 games this season. “Talking with Coach Cristobal and [offensive line] coach [Alex] Mirabal, I see where the program is going. And it’s going in the right direction. I’m glad to be a part of it.”
Rivers said he considered turning pro for “like a couple weeks at the end of the season.’’
“I just talked with my parents, the coaches, with other people as well, getting information, a lot of feedback, what I’m projected. I just wanted — depending on what the [NFL projection] grade was — to come back another year to hone my skills and get better.
“That was my biggest concern. Am I fully ready? Do I think I could leave? I felt like it was best for me to come back.”
Hurricanes offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson and fellow coaches are obviously thrilled. As of Monday, UM was ranked 25th nationally in total offense of 130 FBS teams (441.2 yards per game), 35th in scoring offense (32.1 points), 36th in passing offense (264.4) and 15th in sacks allowed (14).
Also returning to the offensive line are true freshman right tackle Francis Mauigoa and right guard Anez Cooper. Rivers said “nothing is set in stone,’’ but linemen Ryan Rodriguez, Matthew McCoy and Lou Cristobal are now practicing on the inside and can play center or guard.
“Like I said, next man up,’’ Rivers said. “During the season we all were healthy, but it could have been a time where, hey, you have to play next to somebody that you’re not used to. I could have played next to somebody that wasn’t Javion. That’s what we’re treating it like now. ...You have to readjust and teach those guys that position. You have to learn off each other and be a cohesive unit like we were all year.”
Dawson called the return of Rivers “huge.’’
“Those guys played great this year. I would like to keep as many of them back as we can. ...Great kid, and obviously excited about the future with him.”
Jacurri Brown
Dawson, Rivers and Mauigoa were asked about the progress of sophomore quarterback Jacurri Brown, who is starting for UM (7-5) against Rutgers (6-6) in the Dec. 28 Pinstripe Bowl. Brown played in eight games last season, including two starts, but hasn’t played a single snap all season. The departure of former starter Tyler Van Dyke as a transfer to Wisconsin necessitated Brown’s promotion for the Pinstripe, though many are still wondering if he’ll enter the transfer portal after the bowl.
True freshman quarterback Emory Williams started two games, but sustained a compound fracture of his left arm last month at Florida State.
Last season, the 6-4, 220-pound Brown finished 27 of 45 (60 percent) for 230 yards and three touchdowns, with three interceptions. He had a great performance Nov. 12 in his first start at Georgia Tech (14 of 19 for 136 yards and three touchdowns, with 87 yards rushing). He also started in UM’s 40-10 loss Nov. 19 at Clemson.
He’s been great,’’ Dawson said of Brown. “His presence out there, sense of urgency. He is excited to play, and you can see it. His body language is great, however many practices we’ve had. It hasn’t been a lot obviously because we’re in the middle of finishing up recruiting and all the rest, but he is excited and ready to go.
“I’m fired up for him.”
Dawson said Brown looks “very smooth” and he will try to predicate the game plan on his strengths. For Brown, that means plenty of running. He is fast, agile and extremely athletic. Brown’s biggest struggles last season came with erratic passing.
“His accuracy has been fine,’’ said Dawson, when asked how Brown’s intermediate and long throws have been. “He’s been sitting in the pocket throwing it great, processing and all the rest. We’ve obviously stressed that since I’ve been here at the beginning, and he’s working and getting better every day.”
Rivers said Brown is “getting better every day” and that the offense is “building trust with him.’’
Mauigoa said Brown is doing well passing and “making the right decisions”
“In practice he’s just showing intensive focus on his craft,’’ Mauigoa said. “He’s getting better and better.’’
▪ Since Brown is currently the only healthy quarterback on scholarship, Dawson was asked who is backup will be for the Pinstripe Bowl.
“We’re planning for a few guys, to be honest with you,’’ Dawson said. “We’re going to have some emergency plans, and Jayden George is a guy that has been here for a while, and he’s taken a lot of reps as far as what we do in practice and how we spread everybody out. But we’re going to have some emergency plans too.”
George is a 6-3, 190-pound fifth-year senior walk-on from Indianapolis. He formerly played in 2021 for Bowling Green and in 2019 and 2020 for Alabama but did not appear in any game. He led Warren Central High to a 14-0 record and state championship as a senior.
This story was originally published December 18, 2023 at 2:15 PM.
