UM’s inexperienced O-line shows reason for concern

What we’re hearing more than a week into UM spring practice: For all the good things Manny Diaz has done — from acing the transfer market to improving the strength and conditioning program — any list of factors determining Miami’s success will start with quarterback play and line play.

And one UM official who has watched practice — two without pads — has serious concerns about the offensive line.

One problem is the fact Butler grad transfer Tommy Kennedy isn’t the starting-caliber left tackle that UM hoped and expected; he already has been moved to backup center. “Not a good body at all,” that UM official said. Diaz notes he’s “going up against better players than he’s gone against at any point in his career.

But the other issue is whether John Campbell has good enough mobility and footwork to be an above-average right tackle in 2019, opposite new left tackle D.J. Scaife, who graded out well at right tackle last November. UM officials aren’t down on Campbell; they love the upside there. But there are questions that need to be addressed.

Because Hayden Mahoney decided to transfer to Boston College, the Canes must hope that either Zalon’tae Hillery (who’s getting the first team work) or Cleveland Reed is ready for starter snaps at right guard. That, too, is an unknown.

Navaughn Donaldson should be fine at left guard, and Corey Gaynor brings a feistiness to center, but as the UM official said, this offensive line is nowhere near the level of elite teams. And it’s a line that projects to have three first-time starters, so growing pains are to be expected.

If new offensive line coach Butch Barry can get this unit to play effectively against the Gators, it will be a commendable job by the coach and his players.

Meanwhile, with Gerald Willis gone, there are also questions about whether Pat Bethel and Jon Ford will be good enough at defensive tackle, though Chigozie Nnoruka’s addition from UCLA this summer (as well as the addition of three well-regarded freshmen) should help.

One UM official described Bethel as workmanlike. Former defensive line coach Craig Kuligowski has said Ford has firstround talent, but consistency has been the issue there.

One UM official was impressed last week with defensive tackle Jordan Miller, who was a project but seems to be making progress. In a display of strength, he knocked over multiple blockers on one play last week. Miller started spring drills on the second team, ahead of more ballyhooed Nesta Silvera.

Freshman defensive end Jahfari Harvey has impressed early, as has Gregory Rousseau in his return from last September’s ankle injury. UM needs to hold opponents to short gains on first down so it can unleash its pass rush with Rousseau, Jon Garvin, Virginia Tech transfer Trevon Hill and potentially Harvey. “He’s a guy that we couldn’t believe in recruiting that there weren’t more people busting down his door to try to get him,” Diaz said.

Though Tate Martell’s accuracy has been an issue, especially on sideline throws, one UM person said not to overstate that concern yet and that Martell is better than Jarren Williams and N’Kosi Perry in terms of football knowledge and athleticism. And Martell was far more accurate on Tuesday. Though Perry has improved, Williams is the most accurate of the three quarterbacks and appears the strongest challenger to Martell.

In Dan Enos’ offense, look for bootlegs and lots of plays featuring quarterbacks on the run. That works to Martell’s advantage, because he’s best equipped to run those plays. During closed practices, UM has been using some I-formation with two tight ends.

And a UM official said in particular, tight ends Brevin Jordan and Will Mallory and receiver K.J. Osborn are three players excelling in precisely executing the pre-snap motion that Enos has added.

Running back Cam’Ron Harris (who changed his name from Cam’Ron Davis) has excelled at weak side runs, we’re told.

Asa Martin, who will sit out the 2019 season after transferring from Auburn, has impressed early on. UM still needs to find out what it has in Robert Burns, who has good size and other strong attributes but has been a non-factor in two seasons.

Al Blades Jr. has been the best of a few cornerbacks competing to start opposite Trajan Bandy. He’s a good tackler and very serious about his craft. “Energetic guy,” departing safety Sheldrick Redwine said. “It can be 6:30 in the morning and he comes in screaming. He’s going to take a huge leap this year.”

CHATTER

The Dolphins are sending a contingent to Ohio State for a private workout with quarterback Dwayne Haskins in the coming days. But Mel Kiper expects him to be gone by the Giants at No. 6; Miami picks 13th.

Dolphins coach Brian Flores said he believes safety T.J. McDonald can play some linebacker at times. … Flores isn’t ready to commit publicly to whether Jesse Davis will stay at guard or move to right tackle: He had a great year last year at right guard, but we’re going to move guys around. We’re going to obviously have an emphasis on offensive line in the draft.”

Among the confounding things about this Heat season: Miami is 9-7 against the teams that will be in Western Conference playoffs but 10-13 against teams that are 8th through 12th in East, all below .500…. Tuesday’s loss was the sixth that Miami lost after leading by at least nine at halftime; Miami had just four of those combined the past two seasons.

The Marlins will open the season with a $76 million payroll, ahead of only Tampa Bay and Pittsburgh. The Marlins will pay Dan Straily $1.2 million in termination pay rather than $5 millionif he was on the team.