Young gets new role encouraging teammates

CORAL GABLES — As his teammates went through their first workouts of spring drills without him Tuesday, injured Hurricanes cornerback Malek Young could do little more than watch and provide some encouragement from the sidelines.

But his presence — after practice, as he talked with some of his teammates — seemed to provide an emotional lift for both Young and the rest of the Hurricanes.

Maybe there was a little player-to-player guidance, too.

Young, a former standout at Coconut Creek High, injured his neck in Miami’s season-ending 34-24 loss to Wisconsin in the Orange Bowl. Not long after, the school announced Young was scheduled to undergo career-ending surgery, but would remain at Miami on scholarship.

The diagnosis was a

blow to both Young and his teammates, in more ways than one. Still, on National Signing Day, Hurricanes cornerbacks coach Mike Rumph said Young was in good spirits, and earlier this month, Hurricanes coach Mark Richt indicated there was a chance Young — who has posted videos of himself working out — would serve as an assistant coach of sorts during spring football.

Tuesday, that’s exactly the role Young seemed to be filling, standing alongside Rumph during the media viewing portion of practice.

Once practice ended, Young sat outside the Miami locker room, chatting with several players.

“It means everything. He’s a tough guy. He’s coming out here helping coach up the cornerbacks knowing his career ended. But I talk to him all the time and Malek, we’re always together,” safety Jaquan Johnson said. “He’s telling me he’s just taking strides every day to make sure ... that he’s feeling well.”

Added linebacker Shaq Quarterman: “It’s a great feeling [to see Young on the practice field]. Malek’s my guy. We played in the Army [All-American] game together and even then, he was a stand-up guy to me. The fact that he came to Miami and what he brought to the team was just great. Him just being out here, it feels like he’s still here and I’m just glad he’s out here.”

The Hurricanes will continue with spring workouts Thursday.

ccabrera@ sun-sentinel.com; On Twitter @ChristyChirinos.