What we’re hearing on Hurricanes’ personnel on offense and who has looked good in practice
What we’re hearing on the Miami Hurricanes offense from a staffer who has observed closed practices throughout August:
▪ The staffer said wide receiver and running back present the most difficult decisions with regard to determining who plays a lot and who doesn’t play as much.
In the staffer’s view, the six who have earned playing time at wide receiver are Xavier Restrepo, Jacolby George, Colbie Young, Tyler Harrell, freshman Nathaniel Joseph and Brashard Smith. But that last spot is fluid.
The staffer said he would put Isaiah Horton, Frank Ladson, Shemar Kirk, freshman Robby Washington and Michael Redding as the next five, but it’s not his decision.
Some of the staffer’s feedback on the receivers:
“Restrepo catches everything and has a great connection with [Tyler] Van Dyke. He’s still Van Dyke’s go-to guy. He’s a first-down- maker, and teams will have to cover him because he’s so reliable. That should open things up for somebody else.
“Colbie has redistributed his weight, and that has helped him. He’s a very good deep ball threat, and [offensive coordinator] Shannon Dawson likes to throw deep. He’s very good in the red zone. Good hands.
“Jacolby George has had the best camp he’s had. He’s back to where he was his freshman season. He’s playing with more confidence, watching the ball into his hands. He’s been more meticulous about his craft.
“Harrell can fly. Very dangerous on deep balls, and he can catch the ball. He has made plays [this month in practice]. Ray Ray [Joseph] has got great speed. He can be really good in the red zone. He is very elusive. If you hit him in stride, he can take it to the house. Look for how Brashard Smith is used; he’s really good at screens.”
▪ At running back, the staffer said Ajay Allen and freshman Mark Fletcher have been really impressive, but Henry Parrish Jr. “isn’t giving that job up easily. He doesn’t dazzle you, but he’s tough and grinds through every carry.
“Ajay is going to help us. One cut and he’s gone. Last couple weeks, it’s come easier for Ajay; he had the couple long breakaway runs. He’s caught the ball pretty well.
“Fletcher has the power that everyone talks about. He hit Markeith Williams in the scrimmage and bounced right off him. He hit Corey Flagg and bounced off him into the end zone. And he can block on third downs, which is important. He’s not afraid to knock off blitzers. Hopefully, we’ve found a power runner and someone who can wear teams down. He doesn’t run out of bounds, isn’t afraid of contact.”
▪ On the quarterbacks: “Tyler [Van Dyke] looks way more comfortable than last year. He will be better protected and has got more weapons than he had last year. He’s had a very good camp. [Offensive coordinator] Shannon Dawson is going to get the best out of him.”
What about backups Jacurri Brown and Emory Williams? “Jacurri will be the backup but in my opinion, Emory at this point is more accurate. He’s very accurate and this system fits him. He’s got a chance to be very good.
“Jacurri isn’t really a natural passer, but he has worked very hard at it, and he has improved at it, on intermediate routes and deep balls. Give him credit. He’s made it a priority to improve, and you can tell it means a lot to him.”
▪ Health has been an issue at tight end. Elijah Arroyo has been limited after last September’s knee injury. Freshman Riley Williams is injured.
Eighth-year tight end Cam McCormick is “very mature, will help us in the run game. I wouldn’t be surprised if he came up with a few receptions. Nobody will fear him down the middle like Will Mallory, but you can dump it off to him and get a [modest] gain.”
Jaleel Skinner “has been OK. He’s got a chance to be great because he’s athletic, physical, really gifted. But he has to prove it. The consistency has to be better” than his freshman season.
▪ On the offensive line: “Jalen Rivers has been solid at left tackle. He’s really smart. He has NFL aspirations and he understands he needs to stay healthy this season. It’s Jalen’s job. Samson Okunlola is not as advanced as [starting right tackle and fellow freshman] Francis Mauigoa. He’s got a ways to go.
“Mauigoa is pretty advanced. He’s going to be tested. His power makes up a lot for his lack of experience at this level.
“I think [left guard] Javion Cohen is the most polished offensive lineman we’ve had in years. Everybody loves [center] Matt Lee. [Right guard] Anex Cooper has lost weight but is still as big as a house - in a good way. He’s quiet, goes about his job. I think he’s a building block. We are massive on the right side. The offensive line has really been elevated.”
Who’s the sixth lineman? The staffer said everyone is “very high on” Matthew McCoy. Logan Sagapolu, Luis Cristobal, Ryan Rodriguez and five-star freshman Okunlola also are in the mix.
This story was originally published August 25, 2023 at 12:36 PM.
