Spring ball is still weeks out and the new year is barely underway, but Al Golden is going on record regarding where the Miami Hurricanes stand entering 2012.
The Miami Herald and The Palm Beach Post both ran stories in the past day where Golden discussed the team’s youth, where things stand on the recruiting front and his shock regarding early departures to the NFL.
– In reference to Lamar Miller, Marcus Forston, Brandon Washington, Tommy Streeter and Olivier Vernon leaving early: “I was surprised,” said Golden.
“Any young man that leaves our program and wants to pursue an NFL career, we’ll support him. But I was surprised at how quickly the decisions were made and that many of them signed [with agents] prior to getting any feedback from the NFL [Draft] Advisory Committee, which I had never seen before in my 17 years of coaching.”
The “17 years of coaching” part sounds like a little jab on Golden’s part. An exclamation point or accent regarding how off-base the early departures of some players were.
– Which leads to another fact about 2012; this will be a young team. Golden expects fifty of eight-two kids on this year’s squad to be in their first or second seasons. With graduation and early departures, the Canes will lose thirty-five players from last year’s squad.
Miami expects to sign approximately thirty players on February 1st with at least seven new players enrolling for the spring semester that begins on Monday, allowing them to participate in spring practice (kicking off March 3rd).
– Cornerback remains a must-fix position on the current roster. Golden states that Miami “terribly” needs corners and let it be known that UM isn’t finished recruiting new players for the secondary.
– Coach Golden will go against the old MO of trying to leave a few scholarship spots open for late additions, instead wanting to finish off this class, riding the current momentum Miami has had recruiting as of late.
“I would strike while we’re hot,” said Golden. “We’re on a roll now. We’re doing very well.”
– For any who think quarterback Stephen Morris has a leg up on transfer Ryan Williams or incoming freshmen Preston Dewey and Gray Crow, think again. Golden refers to Morris’ past efforts as serving as an “apprentice” and while he says there’s an advantage, made it clear that this job – and all positions – are wide open.
“It’s always going to be open with me,” said Golden. “It’s always going to be earn-it-on-the-field. End of story.”
– As for who will lead these new offensive players, Golden seems certain that offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch will return to The U, even though his name has been mentioned for some NFL coordinator openings.
“I’m confident he will be back with us,” said Golden, in reference to Fisch.
– This year’s spring game will take place April 14th at Sun Life Stadium and will be open to the public. The other scrimmages will be held in Fort Myers (March 30th) and somewhere in Dade County, with a site and date yet to be determined.