Jordan questionable for Pitt game, Mallory ready
Miami Hurricanes junior tight end and leading receiver Brevin Jordan is questionable for Saturday’s home game against Pittsburgh, UM coach Manny Diaz said Wednesday.
“We’ll see as theweek goes on about Brevin,” said Diaz, who noted Jordan is the only one with injury concerns after redshirt sophomore left tackle John Campbell left the loss at Clemson with a knee injury and linebacker Zach McCloud took plays off but returned.
“Everybody else has been out there, running around, looking good.”
Jordan’s 18 receptions for 243 yards and three receiving touchdowns all lead the Hurricanes (3-1, 2-1ACC).
If Jordan can’t go, Diaz is confident fellow junior tight end Will Mallory can take on No. 1 duties at the position, although he’s been held to three receptions for 32 yards and a touchdown through four games.
“We know we’ve got two really outstanding tight ends ,” said Diaz of Jordan and Mallory, who are listed as co-starters on UM’s depth chart. “I think Will has made some really big improvements this year, in terms of his physicality and blocking and doing some of the things that the actual tight end position requires.”
Diaz also touted Mallory’s ability to split out wide, aswell as his 6-foot-4, 245-pound frame.
Donaldson progressing
Senior offensive lineman Navaughn Donaldson is making progress towarda potential late-season return from last year’s knee injury.
Donaldson is doing no-contact, walk-throughtype drills for practice reps, according to Diaz, who also said Donaldson has an appointment later this week to further determine his progress.
“There’s sortof two things going on: No. 1, his overall fitness — try to get that right — and then get the clearance on the actual injury itself,” Diaz said. “Those two go hand in hand a little bit. We’re still hoping to have him, with theway the season is playing through December, be able to play some sort of a role, but I couldn’t say one thing for sure now.”
Donald son originally announced this off season that he would redshirt the year to retain his final year of eligibility for 2021. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, however, the NCAA is not counting the 2020 season against student-athlete eligibility, so Donaldson can return for 2021 regardless of how many games he plays this season.
Bolden’s toughness
Redshirt junior safety Bubba Bolden has won A CC Defensive Back of the Week twice earlyon this season, leading Miami with 27tackles inwhat’s really his first full season of college football after the fallout from his time at USC, the transfer clearance and an ankle injury last season.
His toughness was on display during the 10-tackle performance in Saturday’s loss at Clemson with two blocked field goals, a forced fumble and a bloody nose for ABC viewers to see as he was on the field for nearly 90 snaps between defense and special teams.
“When you love the game and love something you do so much, it’s your job [and] you’re going to give it your all,” said Bolden, who added the cut on his nose resulted fromhis helmet coming downon it during a physical play.
“I’ve never been one to quit. I’ve never been one to back down from any fight. Just got to have that mentality. I’m pretty sure my whole team has it.”
Said defensive end Jaelan Phillips, who transferred to UM from a rival former school on the West Coast, UCLA: “I’ve known Bubba since we were 15 years old back in high school. He’s always been a different breed. He has that dog mentality that you really can’t teach, and he’s just an athlete. If you just turn on the tape, you’re going to see No. 21 flying allover the field.”
Hall of Fame safety Ed Reed’ s addition at Miami as chief of staff has left an impression on Bolden.
“He’s the GOAT( greatest of all time ),” Bold en said. “He can help out— not only the safeties— he can help out the team. He brings that type of vibe and energy to the room that you need, that youwant.
“We definitely feed off of it. We’re all open to anything he says. He sees the game differently than we do, than the coaches do.… I love having him around.”