’Canes may be free to tackle QBs

CORAL GABLES — With the Miami Hurricanes inching closer to their first scrimmage of the preseason, the coaching staff is still debating whether they will allow the quarterbacks to take hits.

Coach Mark Richt is using camp to pick a starter among Malik Rosier, Evan Sherriffs and N’Kosi Perry, so seeing them live in Saturday’s scrimmage at Hard Rock Stadium could help the evaluation process. The Hurricanes allowed quarterback contact during their spring scrimmage, but Jack Allison sustained a shoulder injury. Allison has since left the program.

“We haven’t talked about it,” offensive coordinator Thomas Brown said. “I know the first scrimmage in the spring we had those go live. We may do the same thing this time. Obviously, we want to make sure we get an accurate look at those guys but also keep them healthy. We’ll probably make a decision between now and Saturday.”

The players seem to think that decision has already been made. Receiver Braxton Berrios said he was in favor of having the quarterbacks go live because it will give them opportunity to show how they perform in game situations.

“It doesn’t make too much of a difference for me,” Berrios said. “But obviously the worry is QBs get hurt, this and that. You do want to see who’s going to do what under pressure. You do want to see who’s going to stand in there and take that hit. I like it, especially for the first scrimmage with this tight QB race that we have.”

Next game: Miami vs. Bethune-Cookman, Sept. 2, 12:30 p.m., ACC Regional Network