QB prospects try to wow Richt

Coach won’t name starter until midway through fall camp.

Though he had his warts, chiefly a lack of mobility that exacerbated offensive line woes, Brad Kaaya was a very good college quarterback. He set Miami records for passing yards, completions and attempts. He was an accurate thrower and a tough competitor. All but a few programs nationally happily would have taken three years of Kaaya as the starter.

It would be ideal for Miami if a clear successor emerged — right now.

Head coach Mark Richt, who works with quarterbacks in greater detail than any other position, recently expressed his disappointment that none of Kaaya’s backups challenged for the job last fall. Someone had better show that fire this spring, because not only is the spot open, but Richt’s top recruit, four-star prospect N’Kosi Perry, arrives in the summer. It is high time to make a lasting impression.

Projected spring depth chart (with fall class year listed): Malik Rosier, R-Jr. Jack Allison, R-Fr. Evan Shirreffs, R-Soph. Cade Weldon, Fr. Vincent Testaverde, R-Jr. E x p e c t e d s t a r t e r : U n k n o w n . P e r h a p s t h e most experienced (Rosier) or highly recruited (Allison) of last year’s backups, though the competition begins anew when Perry arrives. Richt won’t name a starter until midway through fall camp.

Major storyline: Who’s a legitimate contender, and who’s just another guy? Allison came along slower than anticipated last year, but he was a top-10 quarterback rec ruit in the 2016 class. Can he take over? Rosier is strong, but can he stop trying to be Superman? How much headway can Weldon make after enrolling in January? Will the lanky, heady Shirreffs be a factor? Can the walk-on, Testaverde, stun them all?

This will be fascinating stuff, though Richt won’t allow much to be seen — as practices are mostly closed to reporters and completely closed to the public. Miami won’t have a spring game, either. But make no mistake: This is the most important battle on Greentree. UM should have an excellent front seven on defense and plent y of offensive weapons. If Richt finds a difference-making QB, the Hurricanes could go from good to great.