What’s up front really counts now
and inexperience.
“Butch Barry deserves a lot of the credit of the development of this group,” Enos said. “We got here. We didn’t know what we had. We were shuffling guys in and out. … Didn’t get a lot of questions answered, really, in spring practice trying to teach a whole new system, terminology, techniques.
“So I think Butch has really done a tremendous job. I think that group, as a whole, has really bought in to what he’s doing.
“What you’re seeing is a reflection of the volume of reps within the schemes, first and foremost. They understand the run schemes, they’re understanding the protections, and then with the techniques and fundamentals that Coach Barry instills in those guys on a daily basis, they’re getting better. They’re a talented group. They really are.”
Barry’s relentless approach with his young linemen has paid dividends.
“Coach Barry is a guy that’s going to do what it takes to get you better,” said Clark, a freshman starter since Week 2. “It might take yelling at you, trying to get under your skin, get you to focus more. But at the end of the day, he’s doing what’s best for you to get better.”
The elder statesman, Donaldson, has essentially been the only one rotated out. Listed at 345 pounds, he has had Campbell giving him a breather on several plays during games.
“I’ll gjve him credit,” Enos said of Donaldson. “He’s a guy that we pulled out and put John in and, they’ve been going back and forth. And Navaughn’s been playing bette, too. I think he’s got a little fire lit underneath him. He’s been playing better, playing with more power, playing faster.”
Campbell continues to take practice reps at guard and tackle, and Enos lauded his versatility. Enos also mentioned redshirt sophomore tackle Kai-Leon Herbert, a former All-American as a recruit out of American Heritage, as a player the team values for depth if needed.
He noted that Herbert hasn’t gotten game reps because Miami has tried to maintain the continuity the starting group has developed.
“I think, as this year has gone on, we’ve gradually gotten better, and if we just keep slowly getting better, next year the sky could be the limit,” Clark said. “We have everybody coming back. This group can stay together, stay connected and just keep getting better every week.”