CORAL GABLES – As Miami Hurricanes head coach Manny Diaz spoke with media members earlier today (Aug. 9), there was really only one thing that mattered.
Just like it has been these past several months, it’s about the quarterback competition between Tate Martell, N’Kosi Perry, and Jarren Williams.
And just like it has been these past few months, the battle is close, with no front-runner to speak of.
The battle is close, but there will be a final decision made soon. It can come as early as tomorrow night, right after the Hurricanes second scrimmage has wrapped up.
Diaz made a case for each of the three quarterbacks.
We’ll start with Martell.
“Tate has got a toughness that the team respects,” Diaz said. “Obviously he can run and he can throw. He has some different things in a game plan that we can feature, with Tate in there. We did an overtime drill yesterday and did a one-minute drill today, and all three ended up with touchdowns. It might have been the three different quarterbacks leading the touchdown drives.”
Diaz on Perry:
“He’s…a guy that can move and buy time in the pocket,” Diaz said.
“I think he throws the ball very effortlessly. He can make all the throws. N’Kosi has been in games. He understands that. I think he’s more of a mature guy than he was a year ago. Like I said, the arrow has been pointing up on him as well.”
Diaz on Williams:
“Obviously Jarren [Williams] is a gifted passer,” Diaz said. “He has learned, I think, the maturity that comes with being the starting quarterback at a place like Miami. He is becoming more and more comfortable with the offense. I think Jarren, also, is a guy that hit 20 miles per hour [running] this summer. Jarren is a better athlete than, I think, people give him credit for – all the reasons he was recruited to come here in the first place.”
Martell spoke on how the current quarterback competition has been going.
“We are all doing really well out there,” Martell said. “You can see the growth in all of us. It’s been cool because we’re always working together in the summer. Seeing us all grow out there, and grow, and do really well on the field, is something that’s been cool for all of us to watch, and kind of celebrate with each other when we’re out there making plays all the time.“
Perry spoke on how he feels about his standing in the competition.
“I am not sure with the coaches, but I am in a good place,” Perry said. “I feel like I am in a good place in my mind, in my heart and with the team. So, I am just ready to see.”
Williams spoke on his own approach to the competition.
“Honestly, I don’t really know,” Williams said. “But my focus has just been taking it a day and a step at a time. My focus for tomorrow is getting ready for the scrimmage and just making sure I perform good.”
Right now, Diaz is focused on what could happen in tomorrow’s scrimmage. He feels good about the three quarterbacks and their overall progress, regardless of which player ends up winning the competition.
“Like I’ve said all along, all three guys have really elevated their play,” Diaz said. “That’s what will be fun tomorrow night. Everyone stand off the field, let them go play and let’s go see what happens.”
