Harris might move north of Dallas
Backup RB likely to start in place of injured teammate
CORAL GABLES — Miami Hurricanes junior running back DeeJay Dallas’ status is surprisingly still in question, even after his left elbow was visibly dislocated in a gruesome injury during last Saturday’s 30-24 loss to FIU.
As Dallas was not at UM practice Tuesday afternoon, sophomore Cam’Ron Harris is preparing to handle the lead-back role once again ahead of the regularseason finale at Duke this Saturday.
“I’m just here to step up,” Harris said. “I’m just stepping up for DeeJay. I’m playing for DeeJay because he went down, and he [also] went down [in] the Georgia Tech game.”
It’s not unfamiliar territory for Harris, who finished with 86 rushing yards and a touchdown on 11 carries against FIU. When Dallas left the game against the Yellow Jackets on Oct. 19, Harris finished it off and then was the lead back for UM at Pittsburgh the following game.
On Monday, UM coach Manny Diaz said he was not yet aware of a timetable for Dallas but that he may not require surgery.
Harris said he has been in communication with Dallas and offered what he could as far as an update.
“I talk to him every day, tell him to get right, be back [because] we need him,” Harris said. “He’s telling me he’s working hard. He’s in the weight room trying to get right. We’re still just trying to find out what’s going on.”
Redshirt sophomore Robert Burns spelled Harris after Dallas exited, but Diaz said Monday that sophomore and former five-star recruit Lorenzo Lingard could play in the regularseason finale and/or bowl game next month.
“Giving way better effort,” Harris said of Lingard. “He’s coming with a different mindset that he knows his name [is] called so he’s got to step up.
“Once he gets his chance and his name is called, he will produce. [He’s] very, very explosive, electrifying. He can do it all.”
Mallory: Jordan for Mackey Award
UM’s Will Mallory made his case Tuesday for teammate and fellow sophomore tight end Brevin Jordan to win the John Mackey Award as the nation’s top tight end. Jordan was named as one of three finalists Monday, along with FAU’s Harrison Bryant and Washington’s Hunter Bryant.
“I don’t think anyone in the country deserves it more than he does,” Mallory said. “You see what he can do on the field. He’s a playmaker. Also, I’m a little biased because that’s my teammate, that’s my roommate, that’s my brother.
“I think he’s the best tight end in the country. I think he deserves it, and I think he will [win it]. He’s versatile. He can do it all.
“As you guys have seen for the last two years since he’s a freshman, he makes the big blocks, he makes the big plays and his energy carries on and off the field.”
Jordan, who has missed the past two games with a left foot injury, has recorded a team-high 495 receiving yards on 35 catches and two touchdowns during his sophomore season. After he was deemed a gametime decision for UM’s loss to FIU, Jordan dressed, warmed up but didn’t play. He may return this Saturday against Duke. He was seen working in drills during Tuesday’s practice.
Mallory said Jordan has kept teammates’ spirits up even in time he has missed.
“He gets fired up for me and [Michael Irvin II] when we’re making plays out there,” said Mallory, who led UM in receiving against FIU with four catches for 71 yards. “We can see on the sideline, when we’re watching film, he’s running around, jumping up, and he’s always the first guy to come congratulate us. He’s been nothing but great support on the sideline for us and we’re excited to hopefully get him back.”
The John Mackey Award recipient will be announced Dec. 11 and presented live at 6 p.m. on Dec. 12 during the College Football Awards Red Carpet Show on ESPNU.