Miami Hurricanes Send Taylor Gadbois Packing

It’s almost getting to a point where every few months you can just plug in a name, followed by the phrase, “is no longer with the Miami Hurricanes”. The latest casualty; Taylor Gadbois, who was dismissed on Thursday.

The r-junior offensive lineman is playing coy as to why he got the boot, telling the Palm Beach Post, “I don’t know why. It’s surprising to me, too” regarding the revocation of his scholarship.

Gadbois went on, seemingly deferring blame and putting the onus on how Miami coaches viewed the situation.

“They didn’t feel I was being positive enough with the team, with the young guys, which I completely disagree with,” Gadbois told the Post. “I mean, I work with these guys every single day. I’m in a group text with the team and everybody’s just bewildered by it. Everybody’s just blown away.”

As for the University of Miami—never one to shoot straight regarding matters like this—a statement from head coach Al Golden, stating that Gadbois “is a bright young man and we wish him the best in his future academic and athletic endeavors.”

The 6-foot-8, 320-pounder was set to compete for the vacant left tackle position at The U this fall, though there have also been rumors regarding a potential five-game suspension—a supposed mix up regarding use of PEDs when recovering from a knee injury.

If true, it’d have sidelined Gadbois for big time showdowns again Nebraska and Florida State, returning mid-October for Virginia Tech.

Other chatter paints Gadbois as a bad fit chemistry-wise; rubbing teammates and coaches wrong, alike. Recent quotes in the Palm Beach Post help confirm this.

Regarding the vacancy at left tackle; “I’m going to play left,” he said. “I’m going to be the left tackle” despite sophomore KC McDermott and JUCO transfer Jahair Jones both vying for the position left open by first round draft pick Ereck Flowers.

Gadbois elaborated, “I’m the best player on our offensive line,” he said. “It’s not even close.” When a reported called out the humble-brag, the soon-to-be-booted lineman rolled on.

“It’s just honest,” said Gadbois. “It is what it is. I didn’t get through a full season, so I guess you could say Danny [Isidora’s] a more durable football player, but talent, technique, brains—I’m our best player.”

Of course this is where the story gets sticky regarding a split fan base—some with a ‘good riddance’ attitude, others welcoming it as “old school” Canes mentality, while the rest simply list it as reason #837 to rip apart Golden.

For a former 3-star prospect that started four games in his career and has seen action in eight total, Gadbois certainly talked the talk, though there wasn’t ample time to walk the walk—redshirted in 2012 and injured the majority of 2014.

This was set to be the potential breakout year, but even while in the doghouse, Gadbois seemingly couldn’t get out of his own way.

The final straw is reported to have happened days back during an off-season event on Virginia Key. Miami coaches, like many others at both the collegiate and professional level, have embraced “The Program”—which incorporates military-style drills and team-building efforts.

Word is Gadbois—true to form—kept the bad attitude rolling and pushed things too far; going from potential asset this fall, to team cancer and someone who could drive a wedge regarding a team on the brink of coming together.

Should all of that be true—which is certainly appears to be the more one digs here—sounds like No. 76 had to go.

Hell, Gadbois’ I’m-the-best-at-my-position and job-is-mine quotes alone paint a pretty clear picture regarding the guy that teammates are forced to deal with on a daily basis. Not exactly someone you’d want to share a foxhole with and sounds like 320 pounds of ego and drama.

The dismissal of Gadbois is another hit for Miami’s maligned 2012 recruiting class; Golden’s first real class and built in the midst of an NCAA investigation and storm of negativity on the recruiting trail.

It was a 33-man class for the Canes that season; with a lot thrown at the wall hoping something would stick. While 2012 produced quality guys like Duke Johnson, Deon Bush, Tracy Howard, Malcolm Lewis or Tyriq McCord, there were more busts than stars.

JaWand Blue (dismissed on rape charges). Jacoby Briscoe (transferred to ULL). Jontavious Carter (transferred to Bethune-Cookman). Antonio Crawford (a piece of gold treated like silver, left for WVU). Vernon Davis (transferred to WVU). Danny Dillard (transferred to Bethune-Cookman). Nate Dortch (transferred to Youngstown State).

Dwayne Hoilett (transfer). Larry Hope (transfer). Angelo Jean-Louis (felony charges took him to Marshall.) DeQuan Ivery (transfer). D’Mauri Jones (transfer). Robert Lockhart (transfer). Gabe Terry (booted for selling drugs).

Miami also lost signees David Thompson, Preston Dewey and Josh Witt to injuries, all three never playing one snap.

Now Gadbois, for a different set of reasons.

Player retention continues to be an issue at “The U”; blame being spread between coaches, Plan C kids chosen by way of the NCAA scare and here another case of poor decision-making by a player that should’ve known better.

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