Rosier favorite to start in opener against LSU
Richt hasn’t seen enough from young backups to push senior out of job.
The Hurricanes’ starting quarterback for the season opener looks to be set — Malik Rosier. But it’s what’s behind him on the quarterback depth chart that has created excitement surrounding the position entering fall camp.
While Rosier will very likely be the starter when Miami opens the season against LSU on Sept. 2 in Arlington, Texas, the added depth at the position is the only reason there’s even a slight sense of uncertainty. The quarterbacks behind Rosier are redshirt freshmen N’Kosi Perry and Cade Weldon, and true freshman Jarren Williams.
All three have a chance at seeing snaps this sea-
son, which creates a competitive environment in the quarterback room despite Rosier’s place at the top of the depth chart. Perry and Weldon can’t redshirt again, and coach Mark Richt has made it clear there’s a chance Williams could play at some point this year.
But during ACC media day July 18, Richt quieted (and really ended) the whispers that one of the three underclassmen could pass Rosier during fall camp.
“He’s the starter,” Richt said of Rosier. “Malik is the starter. If something changes, I’ll let you know.”
Not strong enough for you? Richt went on to say: “Malik is without a doubt the No. 1 quarterback going into fall camp. And right this minute, I’m not sure anybody is going to be able to unseat him, at least going into Game 1. I really have an open mind, we’ll give reps and we’ll compete. But here’s the thing about Malik, he made a lot of big plays in some really big moments.”
And that’s where Rosier has the edge over Perry, Weldon and Williams. The 22-year-old has played in big games and big moments for the Hurricanes, and the others haven’t yet.
Yes, Rosier struggled during Miami’s three-game losing skid it ended the season on. He completed just 44.9 percent of his passes and threw three touchdowns and five interceptions during that time.
But it’s what he did before that slump that puts him ahead of his competition. Rosier completed 56.4 percent of his passes while throwing 23 touchdowns and nine interceptions during the Hurricanes’ 10-0 start. And with a group of skill position players this season that’s as deep and talented as any Miami has had in recent years, those type of numbers are more than good enough to win games.
The question is, though: Even though we pretty much know Rosier will be the starter in the opener, will his competition be good enough to put pressure on him throughout the season?
If Rosier falters and inconsistency proves to be an issue for him once again, the answer has to be yes with three talented quarterbacks behind him. Perry arrived at Miami as a four-star recruit and the seventh-best dualthreat quarterback in his class, Weldon was a threestar player, and Williams signed with the Hurricanes a few months ago rated as a four-star recruit and the fifthbest pro-style QB in his class by the 247Sports’ Composite ranking system.
Perry and Weldon each have one season in Richt’s system. Williams has impressed with his intelligence and accuracy since arriving in January and has a good chance of playing at least some snaps because of the new rule that allows student-athletes to participate in up to four games without burning their redshirt.
“We are teaching them what it means to be the leader of the team. We’re teaching them what it means to be the quarterback,” Richt said of Perry, Weldon and Williams. “The quarterback has a different standard of how you behave on the field, off the field, how you prepare. It’s different. And these guys got to learn that. They’re making strides, but I haven’t seen it to where I’m like this guy is ready to take the reins. But we’ll see.”
Yes, we will see.