Have Hurricanes fans seen last of Rousseau? Decision looms if season delayed, canceled
A six-pack of Miami Hurricanes notes on a Tuesday:
▪ Yahoo Sports is reporting that it’s inevitable there won’t be a fall college football season, and all the signs are pointing in that direction, barring a sudden and dramatic shift in COVID-19 trends nationally.
But if the season is moved to the spring, how many UM players would participate?
From conversations with draft analysts, only two Canes project as potential day one or day two NFL Draft picks: defensive end Greg Rousseau (a sure-fire first rounder) and tight end Brevin Jordan (could go anywhere from the second to fourth rounds). The fourth through seventh rounds are held on day three of the draft.
Everyone else could help their stock by playing, but it’s unclear how many would.
NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah raves about Rousseau, who is only a redshirt sophomore but would be draft eligible next spring presuming players get credit for this season even if there is no season. (Any other decision by the NFL likely would be challenged legally.)
“We’re all familiar with the phrase ‘love at first sight,’ Jeremiah said. “Well, that’s what happened when I studied my first tape of Gregory Rousseau. He possesses all of the traits and skills I look for in a pass rusher. He jumps off the screen. I’m usually very cautious when I evaluate players over the summer. Not this time. To borrow a line from one of my favorite sports movies, he had me at hello….If I had to limit my evaluation to a two-word description, it would be consistently dominant.”
Here’s Jeremiah’s full NFL.com scouting report.
▪ A veteran NFL scout told me he needs to see a lot more from new UM quarterback D’Eriq King to deem him a legitimate NFL prospect.
“To me, he’s a sandlot quarterback,” the scout said. “He’s not Kyler Murray. He’s shorter than Murray [5-9 to Murray’s 5-10]. He has a good arm and will run around and make plays with his feet. He’s got a chance” to have an NFL career.
Another analyst said King doesn’t project as a draft pick on day one or two. He could help himself considerably with a good season, if one is held at all.
If the season is moved to spring, King’s decision about whether to play likely would be the single biggest affecting UM’s chances.
▪ UM was dismal in the red zone last season, producing 29 touchdowns and 10 field goals in 54 forays inside the opponent’s 20.
That was 122nd among 130 FBS schools; among Power 5 schools, only Vanderbilt, Maryland and Georgia Tech scored on a lower percentage of red zone trips.
This is one area where King should help if there is a season.
In 11 games for Houston in 2018, when King was at quarterback, the Cougars scored on 43-of-47 red-zone trips. One of those red-zone trips in which Houston didn’t score came at the end of the game when the Cougars were running out the clock.
▪ A UM player said he hasn’t seen chief of staff Ed Reed around much yet. But he is having an impact in recruiting and has participated in at least two Zoom meetings with players.
UM director of player personnel Andy Vaughn told WQAM’s Joe Rose Show that Reed “has been fantastic as part of the staff. Speaking from that personal experience has been huge for the kids, especially for the parents. Speaking about his time at the University of Miami, why he came here. He has been amazing to have on those calls. Besides the wow factor [of Ed Reed], he is so down to earth, easy to talk to. That translates really well to kids and the parents.”
▪ What is UM looking for in defensive backs in recruiting?
“Guys that can run, documented speed,” Baker said.
“Some of the guys we signed last year, Marcus Clarke had a documented 4.5 time at one of the combines and his film backed it up,” Baker said. “We have to do a good job trusting our own evaluations. Some recruiting services may not agree with it, but we have to trust what our eyes tell us. You see `Oh he’s a 4 star, a 5 star,’ but is he really that much better than a 3 star off what your eyes are telling you? That’s something we take a lot of pride in, I can tell you that.”
▪ What is UM getting with the newest addition to its 2021 class, four-star Miami Northwestern safety Kamren Kinchens?
“Big-time kid,” longtime South Florida recruiting analyst Larry Blustein said. “A throw-back to the days when pure football players came to play each week. Whistle to whistle, no frills, amazing work ethic, playmaker who fills up the stat sheet.
“To me, he’s as good as anyone at his position. Coaches are players respect him for what he brings to the team every day. Great kid off the field too.”
Here’s Blustein’s assessment of Miami’s entire 2021 class.
Here’s my Tuesday Dolphins piece with offensive nuggets.
Here’s my Tuesday UM/Heat/Dolphins piece.
This story was originally published July 14, 2020 at 7:45 PM.
