Can change lead to a breakthrough for Pope?
While the Miami Hurricanes’ receiving corps was boosted in the offseason by the addition of Oklahoma transfer Charleston Rambo and the anticipated progress from last season’s four freshmen out wide, UM would still like to see more consistent play from junior Mark Pope.
Although Pope’s 33 receptions and 403 yards were both third on the team in 2020, he left several opportunities on the field, thanks to drops or not creating separation. Miami has worked on moving him around in its offense through six spring practices, according to top returning receiver Michael Harley on Friday.
“He’s been changing positions, getting him in the slot,” said Harley, who has primarily worked out of the slot himself in his time with the Hurricanes. “Free access, just go get the ball in his hands, make some moves and just go. He’s coming along.”
According to Pro Football Focus, Pope lined up out wide 493 times compared to 91 in the slot in 2020. In 2019, the difference was 154 to 32.
Harley believes Pope, who as a former five-star recruit has the tools to be a successful wideout, is regaining confidence after an uneven 2020 season, his first as a full-time starter.
“It’s all mental with Mark Pope,” Harley said. “He has the speed. He has the quickness. He has the routes. … Last year was last year. This is a whole new year. … He’s actually practicing way better. Mark Pope has come a long way. I’m just being that big brother for him so he can keep pushing.”
As someone who has done both, play outside and in the slot, Harley detailed some of the differences.
“It’s really like 1-2 go,” said Harley about being out wide. “Can’t spend no time. It’s all timing, mano a mano. Just beat your man, catch the ball, make somebody miss or beat him on a deep ball, stack him and go.
“With the inside, it’s very fast. You got linebackers. You got safeties. With the inside, you don’t have to worry about nobody you’ll face. You can just scan in front of you, read coverages more and you just got to be a tough
Dieting Donaldson
Senior guard Navaughn Donaldson has been touted as one of the more impressive linemen early in the spring as he is now fully healthy coming off his knee injury from the end of the 2019 season.
Listed on the Miami roster at 6 foot 6, 350 pounds, the heavy blocker has improved his diet, he said Friday.
“I took rice completely out of my diet,” said Donaldson, who has been taking firstteam reps at right guard. “I try not to eat rice unless they give it to me for lunch. Other than that, it’s out my diet.
“Usually, I have chicken and salads at home or shrimp or some type of seafood like salmon — mostly just chicken, fish and salads.”
It’s been paying off for Donaldson, in getting him quicker when pulling on outside runs.
“‘Vaughn is actually running like I’ve never seen ‘Vaughn run before,” Harley said. “We all meet as an offense in the morning, and we all see what we messed up, we see what we do great. Navaughn is like one of the guys that’s banging into D-ends pulling. He looks really great. Got the running backs, opening lanes for them.”
Donaldson said he has maxed out with a bench press of 405 pounds while squatting up to 520 pounds, but he feels those personal marks will be better next time he tests his max.
Quarterback progress
Harley broke down his assessment of Miami’s three young quarterbacks — Tyler
Van Dyke, Peyton Matocha and Jake Garcia — competing in the spring while starter D’Eriq King rehabs his knee.
“Tyler came on well, getting the ball out his hands, going through his progressions, communicating with us,” said Harley of Van Dyke, who was seen connecting nicely with him on a deep ball in a team-released highlight video from a recent practice.
“Same thing with Peyton Matocha, throwing the ball really well, and if it’s clogged up, Peyton Matocha is taking off with his feet. He’s really fast.
“Jake, going through his progressions, and one thing I learned about Jake a lot, he takes mental reps. When you take mental reps, you’re really three steps ahead, more than other guys just on the sidelines watching. He’ll come to me, ‘What coverage was that? What did you see?’ He’s coming along.”