Two Tickets To Paradise

On one field, Michael Irvin and Lamar Thomas demonstrated how to run routes. On another, Joaquin Gonzalez and Brett Romberg led offensive linemen through drills. Clearly, these current and former UM players were in paradise.

And at one point in the evening, as young football players milled about, Calais Campbell pulled Greg Rousseau to the side and showed him some of the moves that helped him earn the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year award in 2017. Soon after, Jaelan Phillips joined the conversation.

On Saturday night, nearly two dozen former Hurricanes football stars returned to the Carol Soffer Indoor Practice Facility and the Greentree Practice Fields to participate in one of the more well-known events hosted by the Miami program: Paradise Camp.

For many of them, whether they are an NFL Hall of Famer or a alum still playing in the league, the opportunity to be part of Paradise Camp was a no-brainer, their chance to give back to the program they believe changed their lives.

“You come to The U and you’ll always have support. It’s a deep thing. You will always have support,” Irvin said. “All of us showing up all the time, it’s important to show whatever kid is thinking about coming here…we want them to know, right here, buddy, you will always have that support and I think that’s very important…It’s not like a family. We are a family.”

Added Gonzalez, “Any excuse to come back to Coral Gables, even though I live in Miami, is always welcome. It’s always awesome. To do it under these circumstances, such a beautiful backdrop, all about football and talk to the younger generations, to me, I thoroughly enjoy it, maybe more than the kids do. It’s an opportunity.”

Irvin, the Hall of Fame receiver who has been at several past Paradise Camps, helped kick off the evening’s festivities by addressing a large crowd that included approximately 300 campers, their families and high school coaches.

Behind him, Miami head coach Manny Diaz smiled and an awe-inspiring group of Hurricanes nodded along as Irvin spoke. Among them were Edgerrin James, Lamar Thomas, David Njoku, Calais Campbell, Trent Harris, Ufomba Kamalu, Jon Beason, Sean Spence, Antrel Rolle, Duane Starks, Deon Bush, Kenny Phillips, Sheldrick Redwine, Brian Monroe, Javarris James, Lamar Miller and K.J. Osborn.

Also there were the three newest members of the Hurricanes’ NFL fraternity, Jaelan Phillips and Greg Rousseau, who were both first-round picks in this year’s draft and kicker Jose Borregales, who signed a free agent contract with the Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

While past Paradise Camp events have primarily featured Miami greats who have already completed their careers, Diaz felt it was important to make sure Hurricanes currently still playing in the NFL could share their perspective with the campers in attendance.

“It’s really neat. It’s fun to have them share the stories of their first minicamps and things like that,” Diaz said. “The alumni that were here in the 80s, 90s and early 2000s are awesome. But I do think it’s important that our recent alumni feel that you don’t have to be 20 years removed to have the pride of the program. To see guys like K.J. Osborn, [Sheldrick] Redwine, Trent Harris here…the more we can do that, the better we all are.”

Comments

[HerbieIbis]

Have to win a few big games or at least be competitive to start changing the minds on a consistent basis,these kids, that think the grass is greener, elsewhere. Still to many kids slipping out of So.Flo.
Losing Spells to WVU is a bummer. It should be no comp between us and them.
Somehow, we have to be more like LSU. Ain't to many big time kids leave that state and shouldn't be to many big time kids leaving So Flo. If we can get that fence back up, we should be back in business.

[86Cane]

If we can get that fence back up, we should be back in business.

Posted by: HerbieIbis | July 13, 2021 at 09:43 AM

IF and SHOULD being the operative words there.

[86Cane]

Football season is right around the corner.

Another indication that football season is nearing: the ACC media days begin in just over a week.

On Monday, the ACC released the players that would be representing each school at the event, which is a signal for who the team views as the key leaders. Each team is represented by three players at the ACC kickoff.

Miami will be well represented at the event from July 21-22 with the Hurricanes featuring senior quarterback D'Eriq King, senior wide receiver Mike Harley, and junior safety Bubba Bolden.

King will certainly field plenty of questions at the event concerning the health and rehabilitation of his right knee, which he injured via a torn ACL during the Cheez-It Bowl loss to Oklahoma State in December of 2020.

As the starter for the Hurricanes in 2020, King was one of the most dynamic dual-threat quarterbacks in the country, throwing for 2,686 yards with 23 touchdowns and five interceptions while completing 64.1 percent of his throws. King also rushed for 538 yards and four touchdowns.

The best single game example of the impact King can make on a game? His performance during a dramatic 44-41 comeback victory at N.C. State, when he threw for 430 yards and five touchdowns while rushing for 105 yards.

There have been only two instances in the last three seasons where a quarterback threw for 400 yards and ran for 100 yards in the same game — and King is responsible for both. He had a 419-yard passing, 132-yard rushing game for Houston in 2018 during a win over South Florida. King became the first quarterback in the last 20 years to have two games with 400 passing yards, 100 rushing yards, and five touchdowns. He also was the first Miami quarterback to have a 400-100 game and his 430 passing yards ranks eighth on UM’s single-game list.

Read more here:

https://247sports.com/college/miami/Article/Miami-Hurricanes-Football-will-be-represented-by-DEriq-King-Mike-Harley-and-Bubba-Bolden-at-ACC-media-days-2021-167725071/

[86Cane]

His father was an All-American tight end at Miami. His mother earned her nursing degree there. His grandmother worked at the University. And one of his three older brothers graduated from Miami just five years ago.

In ways big and small, Chase Smith was all but destined to one day be a Hurricane himself.

That destiny became a reality in January when he arrived on campus as a member of Miami’s highly touted 2021 recruiting class.

Six months later, the freshman is eager to continue blazing his own trail at the school that changed the lives of so many people he loves.

“I’ve been tied to this family at Miami since I was really young,” said Smith, whose father Willie Smith was a consensus All-American in 1985 and who in 1984 set a then-school record with 66 catches in a single season. “The majority of my family came to this school, not only came here, but got their degrees here. So it means a lot. And then you think about all the legendary guys that have come through here – Ed Reed, Ray Lewis, Sean Taylor. This is a legendary school. You don’t get much better than Miami, for sure.”

Smith, a former four-star prospect who played on both sides of the ball in high school, knows he shoulders the expectations that come with being a legacy football player.

That doesn’t seem to bother him at all.

In fact, he embraces that that responsibility, a responsibility that became very real the moment he put on his uniform for his first practice and was driven home even further when he walked through the tunnel at Hard Rock Stadium for two spring scrimmages.

“The first time I stepped into that locker room, it was just like ‘I really have to live up to and kind of exceed the name of Miami to make sure I have an impact here,’” Smith said. “There’s deep roots and deep ties to Miami that I have in my family. Being a part of it, growing up, watching Miami, living near here and having half my family live here, the culture just bombards you when you walk into that locker room. You get chills knowing you’re a part of it.”

Read more here:

https://miamihurricanes.com/news/2021/07/09/football-chase-smith-destined-to-be-a-hurricane/

[86Cane]

Shortly after arriving on campus, settling into his new dorm room and connecting with his new teammates, James Williams made his way to Manny Diaz’s office.

There was no particular reason for the visit, no real agenda for his first meeting with his new coach. Quite simply, Williams just wanted to celebrate the fact he was finally a Miami Hurricane with one of the people who helped make one of his lifelong dreams a reality.

“We’ve known James for a long time and it’s been a long journey,” said Diaz, who began recruiting Williams four years ago when the safety was a freshman in high school and Diaz was still Miami’s defensive coordinator. “It was so fun to see how excited he was to be on campus, getting into the workouts and getting it all going. We kind of had an embrace and talked about how happy he’s here. It was a really cool moment.”

For Williams, a South Florida native, being a Hurricane is extremely personal.

His late mother, Maria Gibson, worked on the University’s medical campus when she was pregnant and often told family and friends her baby would, eventually, wear orange and green.

Ira Williams, the grandmother who raised him, had hoped against hope that as Williams grew into one of the nation’s top young safeties that he wouldn’t go far to play college football.

And in the community where he grew up, where things weren’t always perfect, Williams himself became driven to prove – to himself and to others – that his hometown was a place where anyone could succeed, even if it seemed the odds were stacked against them.

“I want to change the culture in Miami, in the city of Miami. I want to help bring us back together as one community, the whole city,” Williams said. “I want to show people how good our city is. It’s not only about football. It’s football and family and our community. Miami is a great city and I’ve seen that. I’ve witnessed that growing up in different areas – in Miami, in Broward, in Dade. I’ve seen the great and I’ve seen the bad and I believe there’s more great than bad.”

Read more here:

https://miamihurricanes.com/news/2021/07/02/football-williams-made-in-miami/

[AeroCane]

Great articles
Thx 86!

[orange 'n green in the vein]

From "start improving now" to "all good . . . for now", better win that division this year despite not being favored to. 58% winning percentage this year is not OK for a season.

https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/2021-college-football-hot-seat-rankings-evaluating-the-job-security-of-all-130-fbs-coaches/

5 = Win or be fired - 3 (FBS coaches)

4 = Start improving now - 6

3 = Pressure is mounting - 14

2 = All good ... for now - 33

1 = Safe and secure - 52

0 = Untouchable - 22

Manny Diaz = 2 ~ Record: 14-10; 2020 ranking - (4)

[MLALUMNI970]

Hi Canespacers,
Hope everyone is doing well and hope you all are getting ready for ALABAMA. I think the spread is 18 points, with the U on the losing end.
I can’t believe it, that I am 73 years old TODAY! Graduated in 1970. Seems like a lifetime ago. But, I have loved my CANES every day of every year.

[roachcane77]

Happy Birthday MLALUMN1970!

Hope you had a great day!

🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼

[CaneWarrior]

Best wishes MLALUMNI970- Hope you had a great day with many more to come!
Time really flies, graduated from UM in 70 also- don’t think I would recognize the campus today!

[KYcane]

MLALUMNI970

All the best wishes for today and always

[MLAlumni1970]

Thank you so very much for all of your wonderful birthday wishes. It has warmed my heart through and through. I love being an alumnus from the U and , especially, love being a CANESPACER for many, many years. At age 73 now, I desperately hope that we WILL win another national championship, before I die!!! You never know, but I think that I will need many years, if the Canes don’t improve greatly.

[Terrance Sullivan]

Damn That Fence It’s Not 1979 anymore get the best talent that fits your system and have good football iq who are moltivated From Texas To Virginia to Florida in these Cities and Grab a couple kids from the cities in California and call it a day! Stack Classes, Have The Right Coaches who develop said talent and get and keep continuity! IJS Win Games, Win Titles, Graduate Young Men, and Keep Facilities Up To Date!

[86Cane]

IJS Win Games, Win Titles, Graduate Young Men, and Keep Facilities Up To Date!

Posted by: Terrance Sullivan | July 18, 2021 at 05:19 PM

Consider it DONE!

[Old Skool]

From the Tampa Bay Times

In a small gathering with local reporters Monday at SEC media days, Mullen was asked about a mixed martial arts gym owned by a Miami athletics supporter offering $500 a month to every Hurricanes scholarship player. Mullen answered the question with a question of his own.

“Is that legal?” Mullen said.

Said the coach with sponsorship deals of his own and a contract which permits preferential housing benefits as well as income from speaking engagements, sports camps and clinics, annuities, and service or consultation contracts with equipment or sporting apparel manufacturers

[AeroCane]

Gino should of never been hired but should of been fired after the FSU series.
From inside the U:

Four key starters, including slugger Alex Toral, have entered the transfer portal and are leaving the Miami Hurricanes.

Toral, who hit 37 homers in four seasons, along with Raymond Gil, Gabe Rivera and Tony Jenkins have entered the transfer portal after going undrafted earlier this month according to a 247Sports source.

The four join a flurry of departures since the season ended as Jordan Lala, Victor Mederos, Jared Thomas, Chad Born, Adam Frank, Luis Espinal and Alex Munroe have also left the team after a disappointing 33-21 season, which ended in the Gainesville Regional in Gino DiMare's third season as head coach.

[The Herb]

Might as well start over. None of them really hit consistently all year.
Pitching was a bit of the problem, especially starters. Gil and Toral are some big bats to lose power wise but not getting drafted should tell u something.
Gino gets one more year and that should be it or go find a hitting coach.

[AeroCane]

What it tells me herb is that these guys regressed under Gino! Nuff said!

[86Cane]

Gino should of never been hired but should of been fired after the FSU series.

From inside the U:

Four key starters, including slugger Alex Toral, have entered the transfer portal and are leaving the Miami Hurricanes.

The four join a flurry of departures since the season ended as Jordan Lala, Victor Mederos, Jared Thomas, Chad Born, Adam Frank, Luis Espinal and Alex Munroe have also left the team after a disappointing 33-21 season, which ended in the Gainesville Regional in Gino DiMare's third season as head coach.

Posted by: AeroCane | July 19, 2021 at 09:33 PM

1. Looks like you were correct from the beginning on this one. Nobody else will give you credit so it looks like I will have to be the one to do it.

2. Can we even FIELD A TEAM anymore without all these players who have left recently???

Championships seem so far away...

[AeroCane]

Championships seem so far away...

Posted by: 86Cane | July 20, 2021 at 12:11 PM

So sad as we were a top 5 overall program since the Ron Fraser days! I remember watching Wayne Krenchicki at SS, Randy Guerra at pitcher/DH, Jim maler crushing balls, just to name a few etc
Now we hope to even get a regional! Back then it was: ‘who’s gonna me at our regional’

[AeroCane]

Shoot
Be not me

[HerbieIbis]

Well we used to have a team batting average of over 300 but now a days, it's probably around 260.

[Old Skool]

Pablum from the Prince of Darkness or the Bama Beelzebub

“We certainly have a lot of respect for what
Manny Diaz has done, the team that Miami has,” Saban said Wednesday during SEC media days. “They were 8-3 last year with a lot of good returning players. So this will be certainly a challenge for us as an opener and something that we’re certainly looking forward to.”

“We really enjoy playing in neutral-site games,” Saban said. “It’s been good for our players. It’s been good for our fans.”

[Old Skool]

Good man. Good coach. Worthy Opponent

Florida State legend Bobby Bowden has been diagnosed with a terminal medical condition, the Tallahassee Democrat reported Wednesday.

The paper reports that Bowden, 91, has had his health decline since testing positive for coronavirus last fall. “I’ve always tried to serve God’s purpose for my life, on and off the field, and I am prepared for what is to come,” Bowden said in a statement to the Democrat.

[58 Straight]

Good man. Good coach. Worthy Opponent

Posted by: Old Skool | July 21, 2021 at 02:42 PM

Well said, well played.

[HerbieIbis]

What else is suppose to say.
They seem to have some talent, maybe a little week at LB but a good team that finds ways to keep games close. They seem to falter a bit against good competition but those are the games that worry me most. You just don't know which team will show up but I think we will be more than ready for whatever they try to do. We have good players as well, maybe not as experienced as they are but we have enough 5 star talent stacked to overcome experience.

[nemo2020]

Saban won't be satisfied, unless Bama beats the U by at least 30.

[AeroCane]

Sandersville (Ga.) Washington County offensive lineman Falentha Carswell committed to Garin Justice and the Hurricanes.
6’7, 275 and a basketball player - this guy has great potential and does NOT need to start his first year - redshirt, gain strength and weight and learn some technique - great height with good feet and a huge wingspan!!

[HerbieIbis]

Georgia should be one of our stomping grounds. Nice pick up and should be able to help around his RS soph. Year.

[HerbieIbis]

Hadn't seen this happen to us in a while, Avante William's arrested, I guess for beating on a pregnant chick, whom is probably his girlfriend. Naturally he is suspended from all team activities.

[AeroCane]

That’s terrible herb
For him and us

[58 Straight]

Saban won't be satisfied, unless Bama beats the U by at least 30.

Posted by: nemo2020 | July 21, 2021 at 11:36 PM

Miami 34 - Bama 13

That is all.

[nemo2020]

Hadn't seen this happen to us in a while, Avante William's arrested, I guess for beating on a pregnant chick, whom is probably his girlfriend. Naturally he is suspended from all team activities.

Posted by: HerbieIbis | July 22, 2021 at 09:21 AM

He is now dismissed from the football program.

UM recruits character(s)?

[HerbieIbis]

Always got to happen with a potentially good or could of been great player here.
I guess there is no due process, unless the dude fessed up. Got to learn to pull out dog. Having chaps, going to school and playing football don't mix, rarely!😫

[HerbieIbis]

Texas and Oak. Inquiring about joining S.E.C. and if this does come to fruition, recruiting will never be the same. U think teams coming down here now and swiping players is bad, if those 2 teams are allowed to join, the rest of college football teams, not named OSU and to some degree Clemson, will be wiping the dust out of their eyes.
Maybe then Notre Dame decides to join the ACC full time but nah, their to arrogant to do that but they too will be left in the dust.

[AeroCane]

Miami dipped back into the Lone Star State on Friday and landed a commitment from Manvel (Texas) 3 star linebacker Justin Medlock, who chose the Hurricanes over offers from Oklahoma, Ohio State, Tennessee, Minnesota and others.

6-foot-1, 210

[MLAlumni1970]

What’s the feeling about the game? Just over a month to go. Trying to settle down and prepare for a loss, but in my heart, I am praying for a WIN. Such a tough game for anyone.
Why is Alabama so damn good , year after year? It can’t be just Saban. What is their secret?? Some team has to end their reign. Why not the CANES?

[AeroCane]

Medlock
I think he goes up to 4 stars once he plays this season

[TJL]

Well Football season is on the horizon-In order to get ready I think I'll break read my copy of "deserve victory"

https://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/fl-xpm-2011-01-13-fl-hyde-al-golden-miami-coach-20110113-story.html

[HerbieIbis]

Bama is so good, Why:
They have the best football coach money can buy.
They are loaded with cash.
They have a roster loaded with 4 & 5 star players, that Stevie Wonder could coach and win 12 games.
Some of the best assistants, money can buy.
They play in the best conference.
If there is anything else, it wouldn't be anything but icing on the cake.

[DallasTX Cane]

Texas and OU to sec rings the death knell for college football as we’ve known it. All the other changes and realignments will be seen as window dressing in hindsight. TX goes where the $$ is. Canes need to get good, like real top 15 good, real fast so when the inevitable re-realignment happens among the Notre dames, Ohio states, clemsons, and Michigan’s etc The U is a necessary piece of the puzzle.

[AeroCane]

ACC really needs to get aggressive and pick up a few more key teams including ND
If only the SeC is growing and getting better and stronger, I agree, we won’t get any top recruits as they’ll all want to go to the SeC
Maybe we should move to the SEC!? I doubt they’d have us though

[86Cane]

Texas and OU to sec rings the death knell for college football as we’ve known it.

Posted by: DallasTX Cane | July 23, 2021 at 10:42 PM

Once we wipe the floor with Bama to open the season we will have more leverage.

Miami 34 - Bama 13.

That is all.

[HillView]

What do you guys think Diaz will do if King is not our beat QB in practice? I don’t think there is a chance he starts anyone else barring injury. However all jobs should be up for grabs. I am not saying King is not the best I just think he would still start if he wasn’t.

Just something that crossed my mind

[AeroCane]

From a talent standpoint ie tossing the ball around, he’s probably not
However, he commands the huddle, knows how to handle himself etc - so unless his knee is not 100%, he’s our starter
He can’t however continue missing on key passes throughout a game and the receivers need to help him by catching the tough and often contested passes
AND lashlee needs to not be a wussy calling the game against the top tier opponents (ie Bama)

[HerbieIbis]

Lash, better figuring out something because we ain't going to be able to run the ball and best sure they are going to try and ram it down our throats.

[Terrance Sullivan]

If we have the season we expect to have we will play 4 Top 10 Teams Alabama, North Carolina, Clemson(ACC Championship Game) and a Big 10 or SEC or Big 12 Power in a New Years Six Game most likely Chik Fil A Peach Bowl Back In Mercedes Benz Stadium In Atlanta on New Years and win 2 of those Games finish 12-2 and Top 10 Ranking which would be our Best Season since 2003 our last year in Old Big East and Best Year in The ACC in 18 Seasons Daddio!

[AeroCane]

IF
Big word - LOL

[Terrance Sullivan]

Lol Aero Hehe

[roachcane77]

Once we wipe the floor with Bama to open the season we will have more leverage.
Posted by: 86Cane | July 24, 2021 at 12:59 PM

😳