University of Miami sophomore quarterback Brad Kaaya was named to the watch list for the 79th annual Maxwell Award on Tuesday by the Maxwell Football Club, proving that young Kaaya has quickly become the king of his domain.
The Maxwell Award, named in honor of Robert W. "Tiny" Maxwell, has been given to America's College Player of the Year since 1937. Maxwell's contributions to the game of football were extensive, including time as a player, a sportswriter and an official.
Kaaya received the preseason honor after he authored one of the finest first-year campaign’s in school history, while guiding the Hurricanes to their second-consecutive bowl appearance.
During his rookie campaign, Kaaya was the only true freshman quarterback in the country to throw for over 3,000 yards, 26-or-more touchdowns and 12-or-fewer interceptions.
In addition, Kaaya rewrote the Hurricanes’ freshman record book as he set the single season freshman standard for passing yards and touchdowns. He finished the year with 3,198 passing yards and 26 touchdown passes. His 26 touchdown passes from a year ago tied him with Heisman Trophy winning signal-caller Vinny Testaverde for third all-time.
This is the third preseason honor Kaaya has received this summer. In the month of June, he was named to both the Phil Steele and Athlon Sports Preseason All-Conference Team.
Kaaya is one of 20 sophomores that were named to the Maxwell Watch List and was one of just eight sophomore quarterbacks that were recognized nationally.
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/07/12/john-oliver-how-sports-teams-are-ripping-us-off.html
Yup.
Posted by: Dude on a Pale Horse | July 13, 2015 at 05:55 AM
SUNDAY BUZZ COLUMN
After watching other Florida schools produce Heisman Trophy winners (UF’s Tim Tebow, FSU’s Jameis Winston) and first-round draft picks (FSU’s Winston, EJ Manuel and Christian Ponder and UCF’s Blake Bortles) over the past decade, UM enters this season with the most settled quarterback situation among the state’s Big Three.
The question is whether Brad Kaaya will be the best of the group.
Chatter on UM’s, UF’s and FSU’s predicament behind center:
### UM: Kaaya’s improved leadership skills and exceptional command of the offense have particularly stood out this offseason, but offensive coordinator James Coley also has seen growth in on-field points of emphasis.
Better accuracy was a priority. Kaaya completed just 58.5 percent of his passes last season (69th in the country) but that percentage rose to between 78 and 80 this spring, Coley said.
“I want the completion percentage above 70,” Coley said. “That’s elite. We’re all saying he’s an elite player. That’s where he should be throwing the ball at. That’s his goal.”
The staff also wants Kaaya to improve throwing against the blitz. Coaches also expect him to play better away from home; he had eight touchdowns and eight interceptions on the road last season, compared with 18 and four at Sun Life Stadium.
Former Heisman Trophy winner Gino Torretta, who has been a help to Kaaya, said earlier this spring that Kaaya needs to improve throwing on the run. There has been growth there, partly because Kaaya said he has matured physically.
In the spring game, “you saw Brad scramble and find Stacy [Coley] for a big play that he wouldn’t have done before,” James Coley said. “He would have forced the ball [before]. He’s playing with more calmness. His feet aren’t jittery.”
Kaaya said Al Golden has helped him by deciding to “throw a lot of looks at us in practice that we’re going to get from other ACC teams.”
Kaaya gives no thought to a sophomore slump.
“I plan on playing well,” he told me. “A lot of that goes to guys around me [but] I plan on getting them in the right spots.”
Said receiver Braxton Berrios: “I don't think there's one thing he doesn't do better now than he did last fall. Overall, completely, he's a better player.”
As for backup Malik Rosier, the staff loves his arm strength and believes he can be dangerous in read option sets. During the spring, he completed a 75-yard pass and run to Berrios on a read option play that Kansas State uses.
Rosier said UM coaches are “trying to put in special packages, run/pass plays for me. There are certain plays I'm going to run. Brad is capable of running them but they're more specific towards me. It should be really interesting what we do this year” with those plays.
Considering he had only 17 at-bats all season and skipped the College World Series to work with UM’s receivers, was baseball worth the time investment for Rosier?
“It really was,” he said. “Coach [Jim] Morris said he liked how I approached it. He talked about on off days this fall to come up to the baseball field and throw and hit. They are looking forward to having me back this year.”
He said he might need to give up one sport “at some point, but right now, I'm just focused on football. As I get older and figure out which sport I like better, I'll make that decision.”
Does he lean toward sticking with football? “I’m not sure yet,” he answered.
Asked if it was draining physically and mentally to play two sports, he said: “A little of both… but it wasn’t that bad. [Trainers] did a really good job of taking care of my body.”
Remember that UM’s 2016 oral commitments include Palmetto, Fla.-based Jack Allison, rated by rivals.com as the nation’s No. 6 pro style quarterback and 200th best prospect overall. Allison hopes to arrive at UM in January.
Posted by: CaneRock | July 13, 2015 at 09:06 AM
We have incredible buzz going on right now in recruiting, with 2016 AND 2017 classes busting with talent.
We are "moving" into a state of the art, incredible new stadium.
We upgraded at several assistant coaching positions in the offseason.
Our on campus facilities are the best they've ever been..and improving yearly.
That's not a tailspin.
That's incredibly positive momentum after a very disappointing end to our season.
Posted by: Go Canes | July 13, 2015 at 09:12 AM
You're delusional if you don't think we've been in a tailspin since the end of 2013.
Posted by: CaneRock | July 13, 2015 at 09:31 AM
Now this is funny!!!!
http://news.yahoo.com/woman-pleasures-herself-while-driving-a-mini-125238739.html
Posted by: thirstybuzzardcane | July 13, 2015 at 09:52 AM
LOL - woe is me.
I guess I should just give up my season tickets, along with my hurricane club membership, tell my kid no to go to school there, and go ahead and kill myself.
You guys are a riot.
If you guys can't see the future is bright, with or without Golden, then you're not paying attention to everything going on at the U.
Posted by: Lur-ker | July 13, 2015 at 09:54 AM
^^^^^^^^^^^#NOSEDIVE
Posted by: CaneRock | July 13, 2015 at 09:57 AM
Looks like no more bar hoping for the football team.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/07/12/florida-state-football_n_7780162.html?ncid=txtlnkusaolp00000592
Posted by: thirstybuzzardcane | July 13, 2015 at 09:59 AM
^^^^^^Sorry hopping
Posted by: thirstybuzzardcane | July 13, 2015 at 10:00 AM
NEW BLOG IS UP!
Posted by: 86Cane | July 13, 2015 at 10:14 AM