CORAL GABLES – Logic prevailed in Miami’s much ballyhooed three-way quarterback battle.
After two scrimmages and an entire offseason to prove himself, it was redshirt freshman Jarren Williams who claimed victory over redshirt sophomores Tate Martell and N’Kosi Perry.
Hurricanes head coach Manny Diaz made the critical announcement this morning (Aug. 12). It was officially revealed first on the CanesFootball Twitter page.
He then revealed his reasoning behind the decision to Hurricanesports.com.
“All three guys showed tremendous improvement and development, which is a credit to their hard work and the work of Dan Enos and his offensive staff,” Diaz said. “We believe we can win with all three guys. However, we feel like Jarren has the greatest upside due to his passing ability, his instincts and his determination.”
Diaz also noted that Martell and Perry will still have something to play for.
“As we move into preparation for the Florida game we will continue the competition to determine who will serve as the backup quarterback,” Diaz said.
This will be the first opportunity for Williams to shine as Miami’s undisputed starter. It’s a huge boost of confidence for the former U.S. Army All-American from Georgia, given the fact he had seriously considered transferring from Miami less than a year ago.
“It means the world,” Williams said to Hurricanesports.com. “This is something that I’ve always strived for growing up. It’s been my dream since I was a kid. When I was six years old, I used to sit in front of the TV and watch Michael Vick play. That’s a dream I have always had and I’ve strived for it. Having the opportunity to lead this team is the opportunity of a lifetime and I am going to take full advantage of it.”
In one game of action last season against Savannah State, Williams completed one of three passes for 17 yards and rushed for a score in Miami’s 77-7 home win.
Williams won the starting job based on the fact he was the only quarterback praised by Diaz in the second scrimmage this past Saturday night (Aug. 10). Also, he was the most consistent – and most improved – signal caller throughout the offseason.
Let’s recap Diaz’s take on the quarterback play from Saturday night’s second scrimmage.
“Obviously, in the first half, nobody played well on offense,” Diaz said this past Saturday night. “It was hard for those guys to function, and part of that was their doing as well. But again, I saw some guys lead some good touchdown drives in the second half. I think Jarren [Williams] hit one to Will Mallory. I know we had one to K.J. Osborn at the end.”
Diaz provided his take on Williams as well during this past Friday’s (Aug. 9) post-practice interview session with media members.
“Obviously Jarren [Williams] is a gifted passer,” Diaz said this past Friday. “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.”
Williams also spoke with the media this past Friday.
“My focus has just been taking it a day and a step at a time,” Williams said.
It turns out that Diaz and offensive coordinator Dan Enos were remarkably consistent with what they were looking for in a starting quarterback. Williams proved to be the one who is the least careless with the ball and the one who is most ready to lead a team effectively.
Williams will get his long dreamed of spotlight moment on national television next Saturday night (Aug. 24), when Miami takes the stage against Florida at Camping World Stadium in Orlando. The kickoff time is set for 7 p.m. on ESPN.
PHOTO CREDIT: Jeffrey Wimbrow
