What we’re hearing on every Miami Hurricanes offensive position from closed practices
As the first game of the Mario Cristobal era approaches (Saturday, Sept. 3 against Bethune-Cookman), we solicited input on Miami Hurricanes personnel from two people who have watched some of the team’s closed practices this month.
In Part 1 of a two-part series, here’s feedback on the offense from sources we’ll call Observer 1 and Observer 2:
▪ Concern was expressed about the depleted depth at running back and the inconsistency at receiver.
Don Chaney Jr. will miss extended time with a hip injury; the expectation is that he can return later in the season. Freshman TreVonte’ Citizen could miss the season with a major knee injury. Jaylan Knighton has a minor injury, but UM expects him ready for the opener.
Observer No. 1 said neither Knighton nor Henry Parrish has separated himself from the other, that both look comparable in ability, despite somewhat different skill sets.
“Parrish is the more bruising runner, Knighton is faster,” that person said. “From what I’ve seen, I expect them to play together at times.”
Observer No. 2 said he wouldn’t be surprised if Knighton remains the starter, but he’s not sure that’s a good idea: “I love Henry Parrish. He can be the three-down back we need, can run inside and outside. In my opinion, you would rather not have Knighton be your starter because he’s a little small.”
Knighton averaged just 3.9 yards per rush last season and 3.9 on 197 career carries.
Parrish, at Mississippi, averaged 5.1 yards on 161 carries.
Both practice observers said the hope is that Thad Franklin can develop into a short-yardage back — potentially more — and he has made strides.
“He’s had a good camp,” Observer 1 said. “He needs to produce. He could fill a role that they really need.”
Observer 2: “Thad Franklin, we are going to need him to be a big back; he lost his body fat. He’s a big dude that can run.”
▪ It’s no secret that Xavier Restrepo has been UM’s best receiver going back to the spring. Next best? Depends on the day.
Key’Shawn Smith often has maintained a spot with the first team, and Michael Redding’s consistency earned him work with the first team this past week.
Smith “is fast but inconsistent,” Observer 1 said. “They’re pushing Redding hard. [Offensive coordinator Josh Gattis] sees something they like with him. He’s a muscular guy. Maybe he just needs more confidence.”
UM is looking for more consistency from second-year players Jacolby George (who hasn’t yet secured a starting spot that was there for the taking), Romello Brinson and Brashard Smith.
Observer 1: “I thought those three would automatically step right in, but I haven’t seen enough. Too many drops, not getting open enough.”
Observer 2 also said Smith has impressed him the most of those three: “I love Brashard Smith; he can do so much. You can put him in the backfield. You can put him against linebacker and safeties. He played a little quarterback at Palmetto.
“George runs very smooth routes, but I need to see more from him. All of them have some size and talent, but you’ve got to do it on a consistent basis where the offensive coordinator will trust you.”
Observer 2 said Frank Ladson, the Clemson transfer who was nondescript in the spring, “caught everything a couple days I was there, but I got him on a good day. He’s good in and out of his breaks.”
Observer 1 said Ladson might be “another Mark Pope. He’s hit and miss. He’ll get behind everybody but drop the ball.”
What about junior college transfer Colbie Young? “He looks raw to me,” Observer 2 said. “Maybe he can be a jump ball specialist. He has to work on his game.”
Observer 1: “Young is very big [6-5], but Malik Curtis — who’s [seven] inches shorter, knocked the ball away from him the other day. Young has to fight for it.”
Observer 2 said freshman receiver Isaiah Horton impressed him.
▪ Both said they expect second-year player Elijah Arroyo to play ahead of freshman Jaleel Skinner as Will Mallory’s primary backup at tight end.
“Arroyo is going to be a beast,” Observer 2 said. “Well put together physically and he runs such smooth routes for a tight end. He’s going to splash this year. You can put him in line, in the slot, out wide. He’s going to be 1A, 1B with Mallory.”
Observer 1: “The tight ends are going to have a good year. Gattis is going to maximize them. Arroyo has got a lot of tools but needs to learn not to fight the football. He’s raw guy who wants to use sheer power. You have to use finesse sometimes. Mallory is going to catch a ton of passes. They’re going to use a lot of two-tight end sets.”
Both agreed Skinner must become more physical; he wasn’t asked to block much in high school.
Observer 2: “Skinner has to put on size. He can find a niche this year because he’s such a tall, athletic kid. His blocking might not be where you want it, but you can make him a red zone target. Arroyo’s going to to be the primary guy behind Mallory.”
▪ Nobody questions No. 2 quarterback Jake Garcia’s talent, but both said he needs to raise his game.
“Jake makes some nice throws,” Observer 2 said. “When I’ve seen him this month, he’s been holding onto the ball a little too long at times and getting sacked. He didn’t stand out to me. I want to see him make better decisions against a blitz.”
Observer 1: “Garcia has been average. I thought he would be better.”
Even though one Internet report criticized the play of No. 3 quarterback Jacurri Brown early in camp, both said Brown actually left a favorable impression.
Observer 1: “He’s impressive, has got a lot of skills that can be used. As long as he continues to learn and work at it with accuracy, he has a chance to be real good. The accuracy needs to improve.”
Observer 2: “He’s got a live arm; gets the ball out of his hand very quickly. A couple of our defensive guys say he’s special, can make you miss. To me, he looks good.”
As for starter Tyler Van Dyke — UM’s best QB prospect in two decades — Observer 1 said he has had a good camp.
“The struggle for him right now is last year he threw the ball and knew Charleston Rambo would go get it,” Observer 1 said. “It didn’t have to be perfect. He can’t make a perfect throw every time; he’s got to let it rip. I’m not sure he fully trusts his receivers because they’ve been inconsistent.”
▪ Observer 2 said the left side of the offensive line should be fine with tackle Zion Nelson (when he returns from knee surgery early in the season) and guard Jalen Rivers. But he’s concerned about the right side.
DJ Scaife, who has been playing right tackle, “is more of a guard than a tackle,” Observer 2 said. “We experimented before with Scaife at tackle and it didn’t work out. You have nobody on that right side who’s elite. I don’t think the line is going to be where Mario Cristobal wants yet; it’s going to take a year or two. I don’t think we solidified the right side of the line.”
Though Nelson is UM’s best prospect on the line, he said: “Rivers can be the best offensive lineman we have in the room.”
Both sources agreed on Rivers.
Observer 1’s thoughts on the line: “Rivers is the most powerful of the offensive linemen. He will win matchups on strength. The hope is Nelson can get caught up in time for the Texas A&M game [on Sept. 17]. A&M has a very good defensive line. If Nelson is healthy, John Campbell is probably their fifth-best lineman; Logan Sagupolu is in the discussion.
“This is Scaife’s fifth year and third offensive line coach; if he can’t anchor the right side, it’s hopeless. I think he’ll be OK. [Center] Jakai Clark is smart and steady.”
This story was originally published August 25, 2022 at 2:56 PM.
