As a Hurricanes enthusiast, the last few days have made me glad I’m on Twitter as UM has kept the news pumping. First we got word that local quarterback Ryan Williams is headed back to South Florida after spending last season at Memphis. From there were told that four football players are looking for new schools, while the rumor regarding a certain running back’s desire to transfer was denied (Storm Johnson remains a Cane … for now). Last but not least from the Twittersphere, big man Reggie Johnson is staying in Coral Gables after testing the NBA waters.
Starting with the good, Miramar High quarterback Williams chose Miami over Arkansas, after deciding to leave Memphis. Reportedly he wasn’t happy the Tigers were going to a spread offense as he was much more comfortable in a pro style offense. Williams is 6-foot-6 and 220 pounds, but didn’t have too many offers out of high school. That said, he proved to be a decent quarterback his first year at the collegiate level. Williams started ten game last season, had a 57% completion rating and threw 13 touchdowns to 10 interceptions as Memphis limped to a 1-11 record in 2010.
On the surface, somewhat of a perplexing move with Michigan transfer Tate Forcier joining the Canes this upcoming season, also sitting out the year like Williams. Why would Al Golden and staff welcome two transfers who will be sidelined in 2011? Two reasons; depth and competition. You never want to be in a position where you have to burn a freshman’s redshirt because your started went down late in the year.
If Miami had quarterback depth last season, Stephen Morris never enters the game to replace both the injured Jacory Harris and walk-on Spencer Whipple, who went of of 2-of-6 for 22 yards with two interceptions in a three-minute span at Virginia.
Harris will graduate after the ’11 season, leaving Morris as a true junior and Miami will have two redshirt sophomores in Forcier and Williams with – most likely – two redshirt freshmen behind them. Five quarterback on the roster is the magic number and while there will probably be a another quarterback ‘competition’ down the line, it’s still the right move.
I spoke with a a good evaluator of local talent a few days back and the word on Williams is that there’s a really good upside. He’s a smart player and will push for playing time when eligible.
On the hardwood, a great move by Big Reg in coming back. At best he’d be a second round pick, if drafted at all. By returning to Miami and getting one season under Jim Larranaga and staff, he can learn to be smarter with the ball and can develop a few more offensive moves inside. Take care of business and keep the weight down and Johnson could work his way into the first round this time next year; especially with that 6-foot-10, 303-pound frame.
Between the returning talent and Coach L’s new system, Miami has a shot at being a good squad next season.
On the transfer front, UM made it official; Jamal Reid, Travis Williams, Kevin Nelson, and Devont’a Davis are leaving the program.
While it’s disappointing that some players are cutting ties, it’s nothing to go crazy over. Anytime a new staff is put in place, you’re going to see a handful of guys who don’t gel with the incoming coaches. Some players simply aren’t going to be a good fit on or off the field and as fans we shouldn’t have issue with a new head coach letting some kids know that they aren’t going to see the field and are better off looking for a new situation.
Losing Williams and Nelson definitely hurts the depth at linebacker, where Miami is already thin – but you don’t keep guys who don’t fit simply to make yourself feel better about the numbers.
The 2010 recruiting class is losing guys left and right, but that’s the way it goes sometimes.
Last but not least, the Storm situation has me perplexed. There have been rumors that Johnson is one of the guys who will be suspended when the season starts. I have no idea what he did. Rumors have swirled, but there’s no reason to speculate here.
Normally you can subscribe to the “where there’s smoke, there’s fire” motto, but in this case UM has flat-out denied that Johnson asked to transfer. Does that mean he hasn’t thought about it? No. Does that make all the rumors true or false? No.
Coach Golden is choosing to keep discipline actions internal, which is respectable – but with that, rumors are going to fly around all summer. If guys are suspended or on some form of double secret probation, you’d think it’d be easier to get out in front of the story, instead of constantly defending or ignoring the rumors.
I’m not a PR guy, so I don’t know the textbook thing to do in this situation, but as of now Johnson is still with the team and should be when fall rolls around, which I’m damn glad to hear as this kid can flat out run.
On a non sports note, Happy Mothers Day to all the moms out there. May your day be a good one and may you receive all that special Canes gear you’ve been longing for!