QB Perry, RB Lingard among young ’Canes off to solid starts

CORAL GABLES — Thomas Brown made it clear after the first day of spring practice in Coral Gables — with players running through non-contact drills in shorts — it’s hard for him to truly get excited about the speed or athleticism on display.

That’s not to say, though, the Hurricanes offensive coordinator can’t see signs of progress, especially from some of Miami’s younger players who are trying to make a good impression early.

So which younger players seemed to stand out as the Hurricanes made the shift from offseason conditioning to day one on the field?

Quarterback N’Kosi Perry, a redshirt freshman, and running back Lorenzo Lingard, an early enrollee and former five-star prospect, were among the two that earned praise from Brown and several veteran Hurricanes on Tuesday morning.

Perry, who did not play last season and spent his first year on campus helping lead Miami’s practice squad, is trying to unseat starter Malik Rosier, who completed 54 percent of his passes in 2017 and posted a 10-3 record as a starter.

He’s grown increasingly confident as his knowledge of Miami’s system has grown, and that confidence was on full display during the first day of drills, Brown noted.

“A lot more relaxed. Had a year in the system. When he came in as a freshman, there were high expectations for him as there should be. Just being able to learn the system. Playing quarterback is different than Lorenzo coming in playing running back. [That’s] a lot easier. [Perry’s] looking pretty good. But this is day one. I don't get too excited in shorts.”

Added center Tyler Gauthier, “Some first-year quarterbacks, they’re not as vocal. They don’t want to say the wrong thing. Now, you can tell he’s more assertive. He’s going to walk in there, he wants eyes on him in the huddle, he’s going to make a play call and we’re going to run it and that’s the way it’s going to be. It’s definitely good to see him step up as a leader like that.”

For a running back like Lingard, who arrived at Miami in January rated the No. 2 running back in the nation by 247Sports.com, the expectations are slightly different, of course.

That doesn’t mean the former U.S. Army AllAmerican and Florida Gatorade Player of the Year isn’t making an impression — or trying to improve as he adjusts to the college game.

“Lorenzo definitely stands out,” Rosier said of Lingard, who rushed for 1,701 yards and 26 touchdowns as a senior at Orange City University. “I mean, the big thing with him is he’s a rookie. You can tell he’s fast, he’s explosive, and once he figures out what he’s doing on every play, he’s going to be a freak.”

Said Brown of Lingard, “He's full of energy. Goes full speed all the time. Got to get him to slow the game down and process a little bit slower and control his body. He can be out of control at times. I would much rather have a guy that goes too hard all the time than a guy who I’ve got to kick in the butt to try to get harder, but there's obviously a learning curve right now.”

If Lingard is able to get that learning curve figured out and can push incumbent starter Travis Homer, he has the potential to put together the kind of dominant freshman year former Hurricanes standout Duke Johnson had in 2012.

That season, Johnson — who also arrived at Miami as a five-star prospect rated among the best in the nation at his position — was named ACC Offensive Rookie of the Year after rushing for a Miami freshman-record 947 yards and 10 touchdowns. He also dominated on special teams with 892 yards and two touchdowns on kick returns.

As to some of the other younger players that earned compliments Tuesday, Rosier noted both freshman cornerback Gilbert Frierson and freshman safety Gurvan Hall showed the ability to make plays, while Gauthier noted redshirt freshman offensive linemen Zalon’tae Hillery and KaiLeon Herbert have made progress from last season, too.

“They’re out here working. Zalon’tae, when we’re in the film room asking questions, he’s quick,” Gauthier said. “You can tell he’s been studying a lot. Kai got better in the weight room. For my first-day impression, pretty much all the young guys did pretty good, from what I can see.”

“You can tell he’s fast, he’s explosive, and once he figures out what he’s doing on every play, he’s going to be a freak.” QB Malik Rosier, on freshman running back Lorenzo Lingard

STEPHEN M. DOWELL/STAFF FILE PHOTO Lorenzo Lingard had 1,701 yards and 26 touchdowns as a senior at Orange City University High School.