Richt calls for calm in choosing new QB
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — At one point, he was asked specifically about two of his quarterbacks, N’Kosi Perry and Malik Rosier. It took seconds for Hurricanes coach Mark Richt to — politely, but firmly — note they won’t be the only ones competing for Miami’s starting job once camp begins on Aug. 1.
Evan Shirreffs and Cade Weldon are also in the running to fill the spot left open by Brad Kaaya’s departure for the NFL and as Richt spoke with reporters at the ACC’s annual kickoff event on Friday, he made it clear all four players will have the chance to prove themselves in the coming weeks.
“I really would love to make the decision today. I would love to. But I keep telling myself we have to practice. We have to play it out. I have to watch. I have to observe,” Richt said. “I can think all these things, but we might start practicing and it’s completely different than what I think. I want to keep an open mind. I want to be fair. But I also want to find the guy. I’m not ready to do that yet.”
Coming out of spring practice in April, none of the quarterbacks who had been on campus seemed to distance themselves much from the pack, though Richt noted Rosier — Kaaya’s backup last season — and Shirreffs were his co-leaders in the first part of the race. But Richt also said throughout the spring he wanted Perry, who was wrapping up his senior year at Ocala’s Vanguard High, to have a fair shot at the job, too. And since arriving on campus in late May, Perry has shown he’s worthy of the opportunity.
During summer workouts, the former four-star prospect has drawn praise from his new teammates for his arm strength, mobility and quick grasp of the playbook. That’s all helped make the 6-foot-4, 185-pound Perry a favorite among Hurricanes fans, but Richt knows the freshman and the other quarterbacks have to be tested in camp.
“I want to say N’Kosi has got a really good skill set to play the position, but so does Cade Weldon. So does Evan. So does Malik. Everybody’s excited about N’Kosi because he’s new. … But we’re in a position where two true freshmen actually have the chance to win the job. … I don’t want everybody feeling like it’s all about N’Kosi,” Richt said. “It’s not. It’s about who’s going to be the guy that I have the most trust in to run this football team and if it’s N’Kosi, awesome. But I believe they all have the skill set to get the job done.”
D-line dynamics
The defensive line — expected to be a strength for Miami — took a hit Thursday when the school announced Gerald Willis would not play this season while taking a leave of absence from the team. Richt didn’t expand on the reason for Willis’ leave, saying just that it was for personal reasons. In the meantime, the coach said that Pat Bethel,
Ryan Fines and Tyreic Martin all could see increased playing time in Willis’ absence behind
Kendrick Norton and R.J. McIntosh.
“I think we have enough guys to rotate and keep guys fresh throughout the season and throughout a game,” Richt said.
Walton’s girl
Running back Mark
Walton is expected to be one of the top running backs in the ACC this season and said Friday he is looking to better his performance of a year ago when he rushed for 1,117 yards and a team-high 14 touchdowns. Walton and his girlfriend welcomed a daughter five months ago and Walton has relished getting to know his little girl, even if she is still keeping him awake most nights. “That’s my heart and joy right there,” Walton said. “That’s who I do it for … my daughter’s the best thing that’s happened to me.” Christy Cabrera Chirinos