Focusing on competitiveness
CORAL GABLES — They’ve practiced on campus, in their bright, new indoor facility.
They’ve scrimmaged out of public view at a high school near Coral Gables.
Andlastweek, they gave fans their first look at all thework they’ve done in a showcase at Miami’s Traz Powell Stadium, a place where many of South Florida’s top high school players have dazzled under the Friday night lights.
Now, with their last workout of the spring on tap Saturday afternoon, the Hurricanes are taking their show on the road, heading north to Orlando, where they’ll scrimmage once more, this time at Camping World Stadium, site of their season opener Aug. 24 against Florida.
To say the phrase “dress rehearsal” has been used quite a bit in Coral Gables of late would be an understatement.
“We know it’s going to be ramped up to 11 on Aug. 24,” coach Manny Diaz said. “But at least we’ll have been there and taken a few cuts in the on-deck circle.”
Added cornerbacks coach Mike Rumph on
Thursday after the Hurricanes held their final oncampus practice until this summer: “I think it’s a genius idea by Coach Diaz to put us in a situation that we’ll be in on the 24th of August when we play the Florida Gators.
“I think is great because you see how the kids react when they stay overnight. You see how they are with their roommates. You see how they warm up or how they react and how they progress to the game.”
All that said, the Hurricanes hope the product they put on the field Saturday will look markedly better come August, especially considering the depth issues Miami is facing at multiple positions as wraps up spring drills.
Several players expected to be significant contributors this fall — including tight end Brevin Jordan, receiver Jeff Thomas, center Corey Gaynor, and striker ZachMcCloud— aren’t expected to play Saturday while dealing with various injuries. Not only are they all expected to be healthy once camp begins, but the Hurricanes will receive an influx of talent when several high-profile graduate transfers and most of Miami’s 2019 recruiting class arrive on campus in the comingweeks.
Diaz and his coaches believe a summer of conditioning workouts, studying and individual practices will help the Hurricanes improve as they begin turning their focus to the start of it camp.
So what can Hurricanes fans in central Florida — or fans in South Florida who trek north — expect to see Saturday, given Miami’s depth issues and the expectation thatmost of the playbook will remain hidden?
The focus, Miami’s players and coaches say, will be on competitiveness, something that wasn’t always on display during last year’s disappointing 7-6 season.
“The first thing is execution,” defensive coordinator Blake Baker said. “But I want to see them having fun, play together. Obviously great effort and great energy, you know. If they can do those things, the rest will take care of itself.”
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