Mark Sums It Up

University of Miami head coach Mark Richt met with the media on Thursday for his end-of-the-year press conference. In his first season at Miami, Richt guided the Hurricanes to a 9-4 record and the program's first bowl win since 2006.

On the quarterback battle coming into the 2017 season…

“Well first of all, everyone has got a shot at it. A lot of guys have already taken reps. I can’t really make comment about kids that aren’t on our campus or have not signed, so I can’t really talk about any of the future guys, but we are definitely excited about competition – that tends to bring out the best in people. I think when guys are competing and they know that there is a realistic shot of not only being second team, but being a starter, it changes things for guys. We are just looking forward to seeing that competition come about and we’ll learn more as time goes on.”
 
On whether Gus Edwards or Courtel Jenkins may transfer…

“I don’t know if they are or not. Neither one of them have come to me and mentioned anything about it to me. This is the time of year to where kids look at their situations and try to decide what’s best for them. I’m not saying that they are not considering it, but I’ve not spoken to either one of them and neither one of them have come to me with anything.”
 

On how recruits are presented the team’s current quarterback situation…

“The thing is when you play with a veteran quarterback as a freshman, you don’t play with a veteran quarterback when it means the most to you in your career. You would like to have a quarterback who is seasoned when you are going to be a third or a fourth year player. The big thing that they need to understand is that there is a tremendous talent base within this quarterback group and that whoever rises will get the ball to you and help you showcase the things that you can do within the team concept. If you have a guy who is going to be there one or two years and then you are breaking in a freshman your junior year that’s probably not the best scenario. There is a good chance that whoever gets the job can grow with whoever comes in as the receiver.”
 
On his thoughts of the 2016 season…

“I guess it is kind of two fold. In one sense, I really feel like we gained a lot of ground on becoming great and (became) a team that could handle adversity, go through the tough times of the midseason and come out of it with five victories and a bowl victory. A lot of positive things happened throughout the season - especially towards the end and I thought that was a very good sign, but then you look back and you kind of kick yourself here and there. It’s a learning experience for everybody and I just feel like we did a lot of great things. I think we have created a good foundation and created a good bit of momentum to go into the 2017 season and I’m looking forward to these guys becoming great.”
 

On the growth of quarterback Jack Allison…

“Well first of all, he had every opportunity to move into the second team job. We weren’t going to sit here and say that everybody was trying to beat out Brad today. That was not a very realistic thing to say. Everybody knew there was a battle for second team and he was in town and he had an opportunity to do that, but in my opinion, he wasn’t ready for that position. Now he has been with us for a full year and he knows a lot more about the system and he knows a lot more is at stake, so I’m expecting him to compete well.”
 
On whether Miami’s front seven can do even better next season…

“Well, I think if everybody comes back with the right attitude of turning it up a notch from what we did last off-season and getting into the best shape possible and continue to play hard, we’ll be in good shape. It’s a good bunch.”
 
On having a full year to go through the recruiting process…

“I think it’s always good to have a whole year during the recruiting process and it’s even better to have two or three years ahead of it because you are locating kids in the ninth, 10th and 11th grade. We are creating relationships with young kids that will pay off further down the road. I think it is definitely a better situation than it was a year ago.”

Comments

[1mg of Epi]

2

[Terrance Sullivan]

Going to be a interesting month until Signing Day. Go Canes!

[1mg of Epi]

I saw them as well Epi, same tour at the old Miami arena.

Posted by: Go Canes! | January 05, 2017 at 09:21 PM

Great show.

In the same vein as phoebe cates' boobs... found myself watching weird science at work yesterday. Haven't seen the movie in 30 years, and it struck me that there's no way that story line gets the greenlite today.

Two teens create a woman for the sole purpose of objectifying her... can u imagine the hysterical hyperventilating fit the social justice warriors wouod throw?

[1mg of Epi]

Windy... Rumph seems to disprove the theory that a local HS coach will be able to recruit better than someone w no ties here.

That's not a know on Rumph.. he's done a great job coaching.

[WWIN]

Don't think he's proven himself yet Epi

[TonyCane]

Here's a complete breakdown of players who transferred out, did not qualify, and were removed from the Hurricanes within two seasons for each class:

2002:
QB Marc Guillon (4 stars) last year 2003
TE Curtis Justus (4 stars) last year 2003
DE John Wood (4 stars) last year 2002
DB Terrell Walden (4 stars) did not qualify
LB Nate Harris (4 stars) did not qualify
RB J.R Mounts (4 stars) did not qualify
LB Antonio Reynolds(3 stars) did not qualify

2003:
DE Alton Wright (3 stars) Last year 2004
LB Ali Highsmith (3 stars) did not qualify

2004:
RB Bobby Washington (4 stars) last year 2004
OL Tyler McMeans (5 stars) last year 2004
OL John St. Pierre (2 stars) last year 2005
DB Rashaun Jones (3 stars) last year 2005
DB Lovon Ponder (4 stars) last year 2005
LB Willie Williams (5 stars) last year 2005
OL Josh Kerr (2 stars) did not qualify
TE Cedric Hill (2 stars) did not qualify

2005:
None

2006:
WR George Robinson (2 stars) last season '06
DE Chris Lewis (3 stars) last season 2006
DT Chaz Washington (3 stars) last season '06
QB Daniel Stegall (2 stars) went to baseball

2007:
DB Doug Wiggins (4 stars) last season 2007
TE Dan Adderley (2 stars) last season 2008
RB Shawnbrey McNeal (3 stars)last season '08
DT Chris Perry (3 stars) last season 2008
QB Robert Marve (4 stars) last season 2008
WR Jermaine McKenzie (4 stars)last season 08

2008:
QB Taylor Cook (2 stars) last season 2008
LB Zach Kane (2 stars) last season 2008
LB Brandon Marti (2 stars) last season 2008
LB Gavin Hardin (3 stars) last season 2008
LB Antonio Harper (3 stars) last season 2008
QB Cannon Smith (3 stars) last season 2008
DB Joe Wylie (3 stars) last season 2008
WR Thearon Collier (3 stars) last season '09
LB Arthur Brown (5 stars) last season 2009
LB C.J. Odom (2 stars) did not qualify

2009:
TE Stephen Plein (2 stars) last season 2009
DB Jamal Reid (4 stars) last season 2009
DB Prince Kent (3 stars) did not qualify

2010:
LB Travis Williams (4 stars) last season '10
DT Jeffery Brown (2 stars) last season 2010
OL Jermaine Barton (3 stars) last season '10
DB Devont'a Davis (3 stars) last season '10
LB Kevin Nelson (3 stars) last season 2010
RB Storm Johnson (4 stars) last season 2010
RB Darion Hall (3 stars) last season 2011
DB Keion Payne (3 stars) last season 2011
DE Andrew Tallman (3 stars) last season 2011
DT Tavadis Glenn (4 stars) did not qualify
WR Jeremy Davis (3 stars) did not qualify
DT Delmar Taylor (3 stars) did not qualify

2011:
DE Jalen Grimble (4 stars) last season 2012
DB Thomas Finnie (3 stars) last season 2012
LB Eddie Johnson (3 stars) last season 2012
LB Gionni Paul (3 stars) last season 2012
DE Ricardo Williams (3 stars)last season '12
LB Antonio Kinard (3 stars) did not qualify
RB Kevin Grooms (3 stars) did not qualify

2012:
DT Jacoby Briscoe (3 stars) last season 2012
WR Jontavious Carter (3 stars)last season'12
DB Vernon Davis (3 stars) last season 2012
QB Preston Dewey (3 stars) last season 2012
RB Danny Dillard (3 stars) last season 2012
DT Dequan Ivery (3 stars) last season 2012
DE Gabriel Terry (3 stars) last season 2012
QB David Thompson (3 stars) last season 2012
LB Josh Witt (3 stars) last season 2012
WR Robert Lockhart (4 stars)last season 2012
LB Jawand Blue (3 stars) last season 2013
DB Nate Dortch (3 stars) last season 2013
DE Dwayne Hoilett (3 stars) last season 2013
DB Larry Hope (3 stars) last season 2013
WR Angelo Jean-Louis(4 stars)did not qualify

2013:
QB Kevin Olsen (4 stars) last season 2013
RB Ray Lewis III (3 stars) last season 2014
LB Devante Bond (3 stars) did not qualify
WR Derrick Griffin (4 stars) did not qualify
TE Ryheem Lockley (3 stars) did not qualify

2014:
DT Calvin Heurtelou (3 stars) last season 15
OL Joe Brown last season 2015
WR Tyre Brady (3 stars) last season 2015
LB Marques Gayot (3 stars) last season 2015
DT Michael Wyche (3 stars) last season 2015
LB Juwon Young (3 stars) last season 2015
OL Tyler Grimsley (2 stars) last season 2015
DB Kiy Hester (4 stars) did not play

2015:
None

2016:
WR Sam Bruce (4 stars) last season 2016

Bottom line - very high roster churn in 2009, 2010, 2013 and 2016 has played havoc with overall depth. It's really unbelievable how many attrition has taken place in the last ten years.

[TonyCane]

Great show.

In the same vein as phoebe cates' boobs... found myself watching weird science at work yesterday. Haven't seen the movie in 30 years, and it struck me that there's no way that story line gets the greenlite today.

Posted by: 1mg of Epi | January 05, 2017 at 11:26 PM

"He can't stay this way Lisa, It will spoil Christmas"

[IraqiCane]

LOL!!!

[Dude on a Pale Horse]

Posted by: 1mg of Epi | January 05, 2017 at 11:26 PM

Just flip it and make it 2 teen girls make a dude. Hollywood eats that garbage up.

[Go Canes!]

This scene in Wierd Science is one of my all time favorites.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=g9GBuciv20A

[Go Canes!]

Great list Tony. But I believe Wyche and Hurteleau both finished here. They were both Juco guys.

[🐜🌀]

Posted by: 1mg of Epi | January 05, 2017 at 10:29 P

ROTFL

[UMike]

Wasnt Wyche arrested or suspended, or both? I dont think he finished here

[Go Canes!]

Not sure UMike, think he was suspended.

Honestly dont remember for sure.

[UMike]

Me neither...just thought I remember him being arrested.

[TonyCane]

Yes, I forgot to add that in. I thought I excluded all of the JUCO players, but I feared I might have missed a couple

[UMike]

I think the bigger problem with that list is outside of a few none of those guys would of had an impact. McKenzie played alright for Memphis I think, Storm Johnson got burn at UCF and A. Brown tore it up for KState.

To me it singles how weak our classes are really been and how they were filled with quantity, not quality. More projects then impact players.

[thirstybuzzardcane]

NEW BLOG IS UP!

Posted by: HAPPY SOUP | January 05, 2017 at 11:24 PM

Thank You!!!

[CaneRock]

Wyche was arrested for domestic violence...kid sucked anyway.

[UMike]

kid sucked anyway.

Posted by: CaneRock | January 06, 2017 at 08:31 AM

But Ohio and Go assured us he was a hidden gem Golden found out west :)

[Terrance Sullivan]

Great job TonyCane. Spot on analysis UMike and CaneRock.

[Terrance Sullivan]

Basically Golden and Shannon whiffed big time on recruiting classes and ultimately combined with their lack of coaching put us in the position we are in. Can CMR fix it time will tell?

[Go Canes!]

Posted by: UMike | January 06, 2017 at 08:35 AM

Yeah I remember being all Wyche all day!!

[CaneRock]

Agree Terrance, Richt has a lot of ground to make up.

But the whiffing started with Coker, and every coach since has had to make up for His predecessors shortcomings.

The biggest whiffer was Shalala though.

[Go Canes!]

CMR has already fixed it.

[CaneRock]

In CFB, it's never fixed...especially when you get to the point where half or more of your roster consists of "3 & Dones".

[UMike]

lol Go... CMR has a track record as a good recruiter and the vast majority of the talent he will need is right here. Just think, if we get Cook instead of Yearby we are 11-1 maybe 12-0 this year with JUST his addition.

[UMike]

CMR has already fixed it.

Posted by: Go Canes! | January 06, 2017 at 09:29 AM

Is this being sarcastic?

[Terrance Sullivan]

Very true CaneRock

[Go Canes!]

In CFB, it's never fixed...especially when you get to the point where half or more of your roster consists of "3 & Dones".

Posted by: CaneRock | January 06, 2017 at 09:35 AM

So what's the best you can have? Credibility at the top, excellent assistants who can recruit and the best facilities you can.

CMR checks every box.

[raizecane]

Jedd Fisch to leave Michigan and become the OC at UCLA. I wouldn't mind having him back.

[UMike]

IMO, it is not fixed until we keep the elite, difference makers home. Cooper, Cook, Bridgewater, Jeudy etc. if you look through the list of top players, 247, Rivals260, ESPN300 etc. we have a very small amount of the South Florida, State of Miami players, very small amount.

[Terrance Sullivan]

Kirby Hocutt, and the Current Nebraska AD were the biggest whifs.

[UMike]

And not trying to knock CMR, this class has some talent... Donaldson might be a day 1 starter, Bandy is elite or close to, Dallas is a playmaker, and Garvin and Johnson will be beasts. But if we bring in Jeudy and one or two of the Plantation OL's its another level in this class.

I think its better, we have WAY less project players or "fill the spot" guys Golden loved, but I wouldnt call our recruiting "fixed" just yet.

[CaneRock]

So what's the best you can have? Credibility at the top, excellent assistants who can recruit and the best facilities you can.

Posted by: Go Canes! | January 06, 2017 at 09:39 AM

True. But even good ACs are hard to keep...and with all the mudslinging that goes on in recruiting, even a good character person like Richt can be made to look suspect.

CFB is just a different world.

[CaneRock]

Kirby Hocutt, and the Current Nebraska AD were the biggest whifs.

Posted by: Terrance Sullivan | January 06, 2017 at 09:50 AM

True.

[Go Canes!]

Posted by: UMike | January 06, 2017 at 09:47 AM

We can keep more than we are right now, that is for sure. But the days of cornering the SF market is going to be impossible to replicate.

Way too many teams down here recruiting, way too much player exposure, satellite camps, 7 on 7s and way too much TV so no kid is worried about being seen.

Not to mention bag men, street agents and the rest.

One or two more SF kids to this kind of class, with the national pulls CMR is already getting, is more than enough for this team to compete at an elitel level.

[CaneRock]

I feel ya' UMike, we have to consistently land that signature player(s) every recruiting cycle. I think we did it last year with Richards, and they did a great job of suring up the freshmen defensive ballas. And I really like our defensive class this year, but the offensive side needs a lil' more oomph.

[UMike]

Go Canes... I respectfully disagree. Your post almost comes across as we should just expect to not land ELITE local guys cause of all the competition. We dont need to "corner the SF market" necessarily, but we need to keep more of the program changing kids home. We could lose a Jamal Carter or Yearby type if we can get the Cook and Ridley types.

I don't want ALL the SF kids, but we need to keep the game changers home, or at least more of them. Bridgewater, Cook, Collins, Ridley etc, guys that take a program to the next level.

We were 11 points away from being 11-1, those elite players get us there or even 12-0.

[UMike]

CMR made a great point about WR recruits worrying about Kaaya leaving. They need to focus on who will be there QB their JR and SR years, not freshman and sophomore years,

[Ohio_Cane]

Big, but pretty much expected news from Ariz:

Junior college cornerback Jhavonte Dean is slated to visit Miami next weekend.

I just spoke with a family member of Dean's and asked if he thought a flip to Miami from Alabama was coming, and he responded, "he will, probably after his visit."

Miami is looking to add Dean to their defensive backs class, as Manny Diaz, Mike Rumph, and Ephraim Banda all having gone to see him before the dead period. He is currently in Miami and has been working out with 2018 Canes commit D.J. Ivey this week.

[RCCF]

2017 and somehow Shannon is still a topic..
Please go smoke a J or something..
Move On..
Beating an old horse for what??

[Ohio_Cane]

"Grey Stroke and 202 others liked your Tweet"

...and counting

[RCCF]

More Importantly who is this bum ass kid sitting on the U and throwing it down on my social media page...Derrick Nnadi??

[Ohio_Cane]

More Importantly who is this bum ass kid sitting on the U and throwing it down on my social media page...Derrick Nnadi??

Posted by: RCCF | January 06, 2017 at 10:28 AM
---------------------------------------

Yes, and my response is what's being retweeted and liked like crazy. Was Al Blades Jr throwing up the U at mid field at Doak

[thirstybuzzardcane]

I love our new/old baseball uniforms! Great job Adidas.

https://twitter.com/CanesBaseball/status/817067212976562176

[Go Canes!]

Posted by: UMike | January 06, 2017 at 10:20 AM

We're saying the same thing UMIke I just stated it wrong.

I should have said one or two more elite SF kids instead of just one or two more kids.

My point is classes like this one as they are, with just a couple of local studs added is all we need to get where we want to go.

[Go Canes!]

The college football arms race is beginning to cause casualties.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2017-01-04/college-football-s-top-teams-are-built-on-crippling-debt

P.S. Epi is a jerk face.

[Go Canes!]

Not a recruiting guru by any means, I only really follow it around this time of year.

But it has to be good news when we arent hearing about CMR and company extending a lot of last minute offers right?

It would seem to me like they they're satisfied with the pieces they have in place at several different positions, especially the O-line.

[Ohio_Cane]

Well, it's the dead period, so there's much less activity that's public. Wait and see once it ends on Jan 12. But yes, Richt is going to take a bunch of projects who shouldn't be here.