LB McCloud to start for Pinckney at Pitt
CORAL GABLES — The Miami Hurricanes have been prioritizing senior linebacker Zach McCloud’s eligibility for next season over any possibility of him adding immediate depth to this season’s roster with a plan to potentially redshirt him.
Now, with starting weakside linebacker Michael Pinckney unlikely to play for Miami’s ACC Coastal game at Pittsburgh on Saturday, McCloud will be called upon.
Hurricanes coach Manny Diaz addressed the situation after Wednesday’s practice.
“I would say Pinckney is doubtful for the weekend. Zach McCloud will start at [weakside] linebacker,” Diaz said.
McCloud, a valuable starter the last three seasons, first made the decision to save his eligibility after playing in the Hurricanes’ first three games this season. His
thought process included leading what will be a very inexperienced linebacker corps next year when the team loses Pinckney and senior middle linebacker Shaq Quarterman. The plan to redshirt would come at the expense of having to sacrifice this season, where he’s been limited off the bench as the team has started striker Romeo Finley with the two true linebackers.
NCAA rules allow players to participate in up to four games to be eligible to redshirt for a season. Having already played three games, McCloud’s start on Saturday will put him up against the limit with four games left.
Could his start against Pitt be his last game of the season, shutting himself down for the rest of the season so he can redshirt? Or will he burn the redshirt idea entirely if longer?
“We’ll find out,” said Diaz. Originally, Diaz said it would be ideal for McCloud’s last game of the season to come in a bowl game, but that the team was open to using him in the event of an injury to Quarterman or Pinckney during the season.
When Pinckney exited against Georgia Tech, Miami depended on walk-on Ryan Ragone to play weakside linebacker. Not counting McCloud, the only scholarship linebacker available was freshman Sam Brooks. But Diaz said Brooks, who played defensive end in high school, has only been learning the middle linebacker position since arriving at Miami.
The Hurricanes are thin at linebacker because backups Bradley Jennings Jr. and Waynmon Steed have been out with injuries, while freshman Avery Huff hasn’t played this season
Pinckney remains out due to academics. Patrick Joyner has been working back from a lower leg injury, but Diaz said Wednesday he still hasn’t been cleared to play, although he can play either linebacker position once available.
“Pat can play [middle and weakside linebacker] because he’s been around the block a few more times than Sam has,” Diaz said. “Pat was cleared to go back and practice, but in terms of him being full speed, he’s still progressing.”
Junior safety Amari Carter discussed the dynamic of McCloud filling in for Pinckney this week.
“If he doesn’t play, then what he’s taking off the field will be replaced by Zach,” said Carter. “Zach is also a key person with our defense and our team. I expect no falloff, and I know Zach expects no falloff.”
McCloud will need to be at his best against Pittsburgh (5-2, 2-1
ACC) after the Hurricanes had their worst tackling performance of the season against Georgia Tech, missing 29 tackles, according to Pro Football Focus.
Diaz said the team’s poor tackling was an uncharacteristic display.
“It’s the old adage, you are who you regularly are,” Diaz said. “I think we have been a good tackling team. We had a horrendous tackling day [against Georgia Tech]. We have to own that. If we were a horrendous tackling team all season, then you’d be super concerned in terms of how you’re doing, how you’re coaching it. If we had been a bad tackling program over the last four years, you’d wonder how it’s being taught, how are we displaying it in practice.
“Certainly, what it was last weekend, we could never have that again, and we have not had that at any time the last four years, so I expect it to improve.”