Are U Ready?

On the night before the Hurricanes returned to Greentree for their first official practice of preseason camp, Ward’s excitement level was through the roof. And so, sleep was hard to find.

Still, once the quarterback got on the field Wednesday morning, there was plenty of energy – for him, his teammates and Miami’s coaches.

“It was fun. It was anxious, just excitement,” Ward said. “I was ready to get this first day started and get it over with, so I’d actually have some film to watch, of the team and myself. We had a lot of good things, but we also have some things we’ve got to clean up.”

The quarterback wasn’t the only one eager to see how Miami looked on the practice field.

The Hurricanes have spent the better part of the summer going through their off-season program, with player-led workouts and conditioning sessions taking center stage.

On Wednesday, Miami’s coaches were the ones leading the Hurricanes through drills, and they were eager to see what kind of progress has been made since the end of spring.

But even with those coaches teaching and correcting, head coach Mario Cristobal noted it’s important that Miami’s veteran leaders continue setting the tone for their teammates, through camp and beyond.

“I think it’s important to note that just because the coaches are here now and we report to camp, [it] doesn’t mean that it stops being player-led,” said Cristobal, a two-time national champion offensive lineman now in his third season leading his alma mater. “The best thing a coach can do is really prepare and conduct an organized and challenging practice. You know, scripting, the details of individual technique and fundamental work, angles, leverage numbers … all of those things are really important. But at the end of the day, it’s still got to be [player]-driven. Because we chase guys up and down the field, you probably see we’ve got coaches come out just dripping in sweat. But it’s got to come from within and we’re getting really good push. We’re getting really good results … with internal leadership and solely based on and focused on getting better.”

That accountability, that directive for players to continue stepping up and leading is one more than a few Hurricanes are embracing.

On Wednesday, veteran offensive lineman Jalen Rivers stressed the importance of competition and making sure no one on the line – or anywhere on the field – becomes complacent.

Ward praised the performances of more than a few of his youngest teammates, including freshman receivers Joshisa “Jojo” Trader and Ny Carr.

And senior linebacker Francisco Mauigoa, who had a team-high 82 tackles last season, made it clear he’s not content to rest on his laurels and wants more from himself, and his teammates this year.

“Just [get] better every single day, you know? Critique yourself on every rep from today, watch the film and just try to get an edge,” Mauigoa said. “Treat every single practice like game day, so, watching film on the offense and try to get an edge on that.”

Now, with a month before the Hurricanes are scheduled to open the season with an afternoon showdown against rival Florida in Gainesville, Mauigoa and the rest of Miami’s veterans want to make sure all of the Hurricanes understand what’s at stake over the next few weeks.

Comments

[JCane]

Nice article, 86, and 1 mth to go til UM plays in Canesville! Hoping for a long-time waiting old-fashioned beatdown of FU in the swamp, along with a further upward recruiting trend this would create. Anything else I don't even want to think about.

[orange 'n green in the vein]

Team has a chance to be very good this year.

Preseason poll picked them third in the league behind the infantile loser teams suing the conference currently though, which would put them in the mix for an at large playoff berth in the #8-12 range to end the season.

All dead weight has been cut from the roster, maybe the sewer line can flush them right to tobacco road with Butch Davis' favorite over promoted Peter principle coordinator?

[CGNC]

Nice article 86!

Simone Biles gold medalist in the all around and Suni Lee was bronze. #girlpower

[Terrance Sullivan]

Our Miami Hurricanes better win at least 10 Games and A Top 15 Finish or this will be a bust of a season and people will need to be held accountable on San Amaru Drive in Coral Gables!

[MLALUMNI 1970]

Aren’t our Olympic athletes just spectacular? Love Simone Biles!🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[JCane]

Looks like Redding is done, like Zion Nelson. Hate to hear of these young guys having chronic injuries.

[orange 'n green in the vein]

Devin Hester and Andre Johnson were inducted as Hall of Famers for pro football today.

The backlog of former Hurricanes behind on being placed there can now move on to (checks list); Reggie Wayne and Dan Morgan (does he still hold the single Super Bowl record for tackles in a game?)

[58 Straight]

Devin Hester and Andre Johnson were inducted as Hall of Famers for pro football today.

The backlog of former Hurricanes behind on being placed there can now move on to (checks list); Reggie Wayne and Dan Morgan (does he still hold the single Super Bowl record for tackles in a game?)

Posted by: orange 'n green in the vein | August 04, 2024 at 01:13 AM

And not a single mention of this on the UM Athletics website. Asleep at the wheel.

[DallasTX Cane]

Posted by: 58 Straight | August 05, 2024 at 11:24 AM

U outta be running their website

[86Cane]

U outta be running their website

Posted by: DallasTX Cane | August 05, 2024 at 12:02 PM

Yes Sir!

I would do it better than any of thesee 20 year olds who have NO CLUE!

[MLALUMNI 1960]

Canespacers are very smart when it comes to the ACC. I love my Canes and all of you Canespacers. Still pray for my sweetheart, Richard, of 40 years.

[58 Straight]

NEW BLOG IS UP!