Insiders assess Canes’ offense heading into season
As we approach the first game of the Mario Cristobal era (Saturday, Sept. 3, against Bethune-Cookman), we solicited input on Miami Hurricanes personnel from two people who have watched some of the team’s closed practices this month.
In Part 1 of a two-part series, here’s feedback on the offense from sources we’ll call Observer 1 and Observer 2:
Concern was expressed about the depleted depth at running back and the inconsistency at receiver.
Don Chaney Jr. will miss extended time with a hip injury; the hope is that he can return later in the season. Freshman
TreVonte’ Citizen could miss the season with a major knee injury. Jaylan Knighton has a minor injury, but UM expects him to be ready for the opener.
Observer No. 1 said neither Knighton nor Henry Parrish has separated himself from the other, that both look comparable in ability, despite somewhat different skill sets.
“Parrish is the more bruising runner, Knighton is faster,” that person said. “From what I’ve seen, I expect them to play together at times.”
Observer No. 2 said he wouldn’t be surprised if Knighton remains the starter, but he’s not sure that’s a good idea: “I love Henry Parrish. He can be the three-down back we need,
Acan run inside and outside. In my opinion, you would rather not have Knighton be your starter because he’s a little small.”
Knighton averaged just 3.9 yards per rush last season and 3.9 on 197 career carries.
Parrish, at Mississippi, averaged 5.1 yards on 161 carries.
Both practice observers said the hope is that Thad Franklin
can develop into a short-yardage back — potentially more — and he has made strides.
“He’s had a good camp,” Observer 1 said. “He needs to produce. He could fill a role that they really need.”
Observer 2: “Thad Franklin, we are going to need him to be a big back; he lost his body fat. He’s a big dude that can run.”
It’s no secret that Xavier Restrepo has been UM’s best receiver going back to the spring. Next best? Depends on the day.
Key’Shawn Smith often has maintained a spot with the first team, and Michael Redding’s
consistency earned him work with the first team this past week.
Smith “is fast but inconsistent,” Observer 1 said. “They’re pushing Redding hard; [Josh Gattis] sees something they like with him. He’s a muscular guy. Maybe he just needs more confidence.”
UM is looking for more consistency from second-year players Jacolby George (who hasn’t yet secured a starting spot that was there for the taking), Romello Brinson and Brashard Smith.
Observer 1: “I thought those three would automatically step right in, but I haven’t seen enough. Too many drops, not getting open enough.”
Observer 2 said Smith has impressed him the most of those three: “I love Brashard
A1987 Jim Thorpe Award as the nation’s top defensive back and later was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
Brian’s son, Brian II, is a redshirt freshman cornerback at FIU.
“He’s had a rough two years,” Bennie said of Al Jr. during spring ball. “He’s doing a lot better.”
The Blades brothers, as well as anyone who knew Al Sr., know the similarities between father and son are uncanny, though Al Sr. was much louder and attentiondrawing than his son. “Ed Reed will tell you this, too,” Bennie said. “They have the same demeanor. They have the same zest for competition. That’s one of the things I love about my nephew. He doesn’t back down from a challenge.”
Brian said his nephew initially “wanted to stay at corner, but he’s one of those kids who thinks, ‘Whatever I can to do help the team, I’ll do,’ and one of those athletes who can adjust.
“He’s healthy and he
Smith; he can do so much. You can put him in the backfield. You can put him against linebacker and safeties. He played a little quarterback at Palmetto.
“George runs very smooth routes, but I need to see more from him. All of them have some size and talent, but you’ve got to do it on a consistent basis where the offensive coordinator will trust you.”
Observer 2 said Frank Ladson, the Clemson transfer who was nondescript in the spring, “caught everything a couple days I was there, but I got him on a good day. He’s good in and out of his breaks.”
Observer 1 said Ladson might be “another Mark Pope. He’s hit and miss. He’ll get behind everybody but drop the ball.”
What about junior college transfer Colbie Young? “He looks raw to me,” Observer 2 said. “Maybe he can be a jumpball specialist. He has to work on his game.”
Observer 1: “Young is very big [6-5], but Malik Curtis — who’s [seven] inches shorter, knocked the ball away from him the other day. Young has to fight for it.”
Observer 2 said freshman receiver Isaiah Horton impressed him.
Both said they expect second-year player Elijah Arroyo to play ahead of freshman Jaleel Skinner as Will Mallory’s primary backup at tight end.
“Arroyo is going to be a beast,” Observer 2 said. “Well put together physically and he runs such smooth routes for a tight end. He’s going to splash this year. You can put him in line, in the slot, out wide. He’s going to be 1A, 1B with Mallory.”
Observer 1: “The tight ends are going to have a good year. Gattis is going to maximize
Afeels good now. He’s just ready to get back on the field and ball out.’’
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Before he got COVID, Blades, a high school Under Armour All-American, played in all 13 games in 2018 as a freshman and started seven games in 2019. He had 36 tackles his second season and ranked second on the team with two interceptions. He also had six pass breakups and blocked a punt.
UM coach Mario Cristobal said on Thursday that Blades has “done a great job.”
“We call like it is and that’s the way it should be,” Cristobal said. “That’s your greatest form of respect to a player, to a program. Al
Blades has done a great job at playing just about everything, and on special teams as well. We find ourselves now in a position where we have the ability to play a good number of guys back there.
“He’s been really good them. Arroyo has got a lot of tools but needs to learn not to fight the football. He’s raw guy who wants to use sheer power. You have to use finesse sometimes. Mallory is going to catch a ton of passes. They’re going to use a lot of two tight-end sets.”
Both agreed Skinner must become more physical; he wasn’t asked to block much in high school.
Observer 2: “Skinner has to put on size. He can find a niche this year because he’s such a tall, athletic kid. His blocking might not be where you want it, but you can make him a red-zone target. Arroyo’s going to to be the primary guy behind Mallory.”
Nobody questions No. 2 quarterback Jake Garcia’s
talent, but both said he needs to raise his game.
“Jake makes some nice throws,” Observer 2 said. “When I’ve seen him this month, he’s been holding onto the ball a little too long at times and getting sacked. He didn’t stand out to me. I want to see him make better decisions against a blitz.”
Observer 1: “Garcia has been average. I thought he would be better.”
What about No. 3 quarterback Jacurri Brown?
Observer 1: “He’s impressive, has got a lot of skills that can be used. As long as he continues to learn and work at it with accuracy, he has a chance to be real good. The accuracy needs to improve.”
Observer 2: “He’s got a live arm; gets the ball out of his hand very quickly. A couple of our defensive guys say he’s special, can make you miss. To me, he looks good.”
As for starter Tyler Van Dyke — UM’s best QB prospect in two decades — Observer 1 said he has had a good camp.
Aoff the field as well as a leader in the weight room. Al’s a really good communicator. He understands football. Obviously, it’s been in his blood lines for a long, long time. Everyone is super proud of him and super excited for him and what he’s going to bring this year.”
Blades will be part of a rotation that includes expected starters James Williams and Kamren Kinchens and fellow elite safety Avantae Williams. At this point he’s also had experience playing the hybrid DB/linebacker star position and nickelback.
“I’m fast enough to play corner, smart enough to play safety,” he said. “We’re all in a class of our own. A lot of guys in our secondary really take pride in building their own repertoire, being their own self. Everyone is just trying to be the best they can.
“Wherever they want me to go I’ll go.”
Susan Miller Degnan: 305-376-3366, @smillerdegnan
“The struggle for him right now is last year he threw the ball and knew Charleston Rambo would go get it,” Observer 1 said. “It didn’t have to be perfect. He can’t make a perfect throw every time; he’s got to let it rip. I’m not sure he fully trusts his receivers because they’ve been inconsistent.”
Observer 2 said the left side of the offensive line should be fine with tackle Zion Nelson (when he returns from knee surgery early in the season) and guard Jalen Rivers. But he’s concerned about the right side.
DJ Scaife, who has been playing right tackle, “is more of a guard than a tackle,” Observer 2 said. “We experimented before with Scaife at tackle and it didn’t work out. You have nobody on that right side who’s elite. I don’t think the line is going to be where Mario Cristobal wants yet; it’s going to take a year or two. I don’t think we solidified the right side of the line.”
Though Nelson is UM’s best prospect on the line, he said: “Rivers can be the best offensive lineman we have in the room.”
Both sources agreed on Rivers.
Observer 1’s thoughts on the line: “Rivers is the most powerful of the offensive linemen. He will win matchups on strength. The hope is Nelson can get caught up in time for the Texas A&M game [on Sept. 17]. A&M has a very good defensive line. If Nelson is healthy, John Campbell is probably their fifth-best lineman; Logan Sagupolu is in the discussion.
“This is Scaife’s fifth year and third offensive line coach; if he can’t anchor the right side, it’s hopeless. I think he’ll be OK. [Center] Jakai Clark is smart and steady.”
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