Young, Redwine are improving for ’Canes
CORAL GABLES – As he read off the statistics from the first scrimmage of camp, Mark Richt was bemused.
“Malek Young — two tackles and an interception,” the Hurricanes coach said with a smile and a slight shake of his head. “He seems to have an interception every time we scrimmage.”
To an offensive coach whose biggest challenge right now is finding a starting quarterback, interceptions might be a bit of a sore subject. To the defensive coaches working to get Young ready to be a potential starter this season, the sophomore’s performance in camp and progress over the last year is exactly what they’ve needed to see from the former Coconut Creek High standout.
“He’s always had those instincts and ball skills, but he knows the defense way better now. He understands where the offense is going to try and take advantage,” Hurricanes cornerbacks coach Mike Rumph said of Young earlier this week. “He does a great job of being in the right place when those situations occur. It’s kind of falling into place with him and slowing down for him now.”
With Miami’s secondary in transition after the losses of veteran corners Corn Elder and Adrian Colbert, as well as safeties Rayshawn Jenkins and Jamal Carter, the Hurricanes are going to need some of their younger players to develop quickly.
At corner, Young, who made four starts last year and notched 23 tackles, is trying to do his part. On the other side, Sheldrick Redwine is trying to take steps forward after moving from corner to safety during the spring. And the Hurricanes need to continue seeing growth from safety Robert Knowles, a redshirt sophomore who saw most of his action on special teams last season but now has to prove he can be trusted in games when Miami needs him most.
Another youngster coaches are hoping can have an impact? Former Palm Beach Gardens standout Amari Carter, who was Sun Sentinel Palm Beach County Defensive Player of the Year last season and has already shown the ability to make plays during his first camp with the Hurricanes.
“Redwine has done a great job of buying in, and you’re starting to see that on the field now that he’s really starting to dig into the defensive stuff we do. Really proud of Redwine,” said Hurricanes safeties coach Ephraim Banda.
“Amari, for a young guy, is super intelligent. Still figuring things out, but his ability to process information is unique.”
With Miami’s second scrimmage of fall camp looming on Saturday, there is a growing sense of urgency from players that it’s time to start putting together some of what they’ve worked on in camp. Position battles will be decided, starting roles will be handed out and soon enough, they’ll be lining up against BethuneCookman for their season opener on Sept. 2. Immediately after that, they’ll face two road tests, one at Arkansas State and the next in Tallahassee against rival Florida State, likely a topfive team.
“I have to keep working hard and competing every day,” said Young, who figures he’s had two interceptions in camp. “Getting better at my craft and film, getting better at film. It’s not all about the physicality.
“It’s about the mental errors and watching film and understanding where you’re at and where the ball’s at. … I try to get one [interception] every day, but just knowing the splits, the divide of the field and where the ball’s going to be thrown, the down and distance, and where the ball’s at.”