What we learned from a UM spring

Rosier, Shirreffs just two of the storylines

CORAL GABLES — The Hurricanes wrapped up 15 spring workouts this past Saturday with a scrimmage at Boca Raton High, coach Mark Richt’s alma mater. While Miami emerged from the spring with no real clarity at quarterback, the Hurricanes did start learning a bit about the team they’ll field next season.

The biggest takeaway is that, for now, the defense remains a strength while an offense looking to replace the likes of Brad Kaaya, David Njoku, and Stacy Coley, among others, still has work to do. Richt doesn’t seem too concerned at this point, noting that it’s not uncommon for defenses to be ahead of their offensive counterparts early in a team’s development.

But like many within the program and outside of it, he’s curious to see how the offense comes together, especially when highly touted freshman N’Kosi Perry arrives in May and enters the competition for Miami’s starting quarterback job.

“Everybody has the right to compete for a job here at ‘The U,’ at every position,” Richt said during an interview with

WQAM 560’s Joe Rose on Monday.

Here’s a look at some of the things that can be gleaned from the Hurricanes’ 15 spring workouts: Rosier making push: Richt has said he’s not planning to name a starting quarterback until fall camp. However, Malik Rosier — who was Brad Kaaya’s backup the past two seasons — has emerged as one of the coleaders for the job. Rosier was inconsistent at times, but he has some experience and is the veteran of the quarterback group. Shirreffs is in the running, too: Along with Rosier, Evan Shirreffs has emerged from the spring as one of the co-leaders for the starting quarterback job. Like Rosier, he has been inconsistent at times, but has shown the ability to make plays and has earned praise from teammates and coaches for his progress in the spring. Allison falls back: Highly touted redshirt freshman Jack Allison was also in the running for starting QB and had a nice showing in the final scrimmage while facing the second-string defense. But Allison was hampered during the spring by a minor shoulder injury suffered during the first scrimmage. He has a strong arm, but

Linebackers Shaq Quarterman, Mike Pinckney and Zach McCloud earned starting jobs as freshmen ... they’re all expected to be leaders this fall, but some of their older teammates are challenging for more playing time ...

like others, has been inconsistent and fell back a bit in the race late. Donaldson will have a

shot: It’s rare that freshmen offensive linemen come in and make an immediate impact, but coaches and teammates say Navaughn Donaldson is a rare breed. The 6-foot-6, 350-pound early enrollee from Miami Central spent all of the spring working with the first offensive line, getting reps at both tackle and guard. It looks like Donaldson will be in the mix for a starting job. That defensive line will be stout: After years of struggles on the defensive line, that unit was a pleasant surprise last season, and it’s expected to be better this year. Chad Thomas, Joe Jackson, Demetrius Thomas, Kendrick Norton and RJ McIntosh are all back, and players such as former St. Thomas Aquinas standout Anthony Moten have made a push this spring. Redwine’s versatility key: With Miami’s secondary in transition, the Hurricanes moved junior Sheldrick Redwine from corner to safety, to give that group a little bit more experience. Coaches praised Redwine’s willingness to change positions and praised his efforts in camp, while saying if the move doesn’t work come the fall, Redwine can easily go back to his original spot. Making Redwine’s transition easier? He’s working alongside former Miami Killian teammate – and current roommate – Jaquan Johnson in his new role. There’s depth at linebacker: Last season, Hurricanes linebackers Shaq Quarterman, Mike Pinckney and Zach McCloud earned starting jobs as freshmen. With a year’s worth of experience, they’re all expected to be leaders this fall, but some of their older teammates are challenging for more playing time themselves. Darrion Owens, who is fully recovered from a knee injury, has made progress this spring, as has Mike Smith. And former Royal Palm Beach standout Charles Perry split firstteam reps with McCloud. Injured linebacker Jamie Gordinier is expected back in the fall, and freshmen arrivals Bradley Jennings Jr. and Waynmon Steed will add depth.

Young impresses: A former Coconut Creek standout, Malek Young was one of the spring’s top performers. Young shone brightest in Miami’s scrimmages, including the final one in which he had two interceptions. Young started four games last year but will face competition from a strong incoming group of players, including Citadel transfer Dee Delaney, freshman Trajan Bandy and junior college transfer Jhavonte Dean. Young’s performance this spring, though, left an impression on coaches. Walton a competitor: Mark Walton rushed for 1,117 yards and 14 touchdowns last season and is expected to fuel the offense this upcoming season. But with Miami lacking depth at running back, the rising junior didn’t see many carries in the Hurricanes’ first two scrimmages, which clearly bothered the back. But as coaches noted, Miami knows what it has in Walton.