Took a day off yesterday, but I’m back with a vengeance today. Let’s go !

Brad Kaaya, 1st round NFL Draft Prospect

Yesterday, Bleacher Report NFL Draft analyst Matt Miller unveiled his updated top 50 draft prospects, and top 10 by position. As he has been since before the season, Canes QB Brad Kaaya is high up on Miller’s list.

While the comments on this article are filled with people lambasting Kaaya, let me remind you that WINS ARE NOT A QUARTERBACK STAT, and Kaaya has PLENTY of NFL caliber traits. Is he a perfect player? No. But, I think there’s a healthy dose of haterade being thrown on him right now. But, apart from the haterade, there are legititmate concerns, and things Kaaya can improve upon. For an example, see the tweet from another Bleacher Report writer, NFL analyst Ian Wharton, regarding Kaaya’s ability to feel pressure:

Kaaya is unequivocally the best QB Miami has had in YEARS, and is absolutely a top NFL Draft prospect. Do I 100% agree with where Miller has Kaaya on his board? No. But, I’m also not going to forget all the NFL caliber skills Kaaya has because the Canes lost last week.

I would ask you to let me know your feelings in the comments below, but I can hear you typing from here. I can’t wait to see how many different ways people call me stupid for this. It’s gonna be so much fun!

Canes still battling injuries

Brad Kaaya has been practicing, so his shoulder injury doesn’t look too bad. Chad Thomas is playing with a wrap/club on his broken right hand. Couple other things too, but you can see those updates right here:

Regardless of who’s out there, Miami needs to step up and win this game on Saturday. We’ll get more into that more, but that’s the end of the story, in my eyes.

Manny Diaz.....FIU Coach?

Our SBNation friends over at Underdog Dynasty have started looking at potential candidates for the already-vacant FIU coaching job. And, the candidate they profiled Wednesday afternoon is none other than Miami Defensive Coordinator Manny Diaz.

There’s things to like, and dislike, from Miami and FIU’s perspective here. It’s an interesting read, at the least. And, the fact that Diaz, who has been maligned after some rough patches in his defense’s performances in the past, is even a consideration for a head coaching job — even at the dregs of FBS such as FIU is — is a testament to the wonderful job he’s doing here at Miami.

And, in keeping with the “keep it local” theme of the coaching search so far, Underdog Dynasty has profiles for 2 other candidates for the FIU job: Former Miami coach Butch Davis (what...he’s not still campaigning for the Miami job?), and former Canes TE coach/interim head coach Larry Scott, who currently coaches at Tennessee.

Could Diaz be a head coach in the not-too-distant future? Sure. But, completely selfishly, I hope that he stays at Miami for a couple years and continues to build this defense before venturing out to run his own team.

Quick Hitters

Got a few more things for you, since I took yesterday off.

Miami is still a top team in terms of yards per play on offense

Miami has a ton of talent committed in the 2017 recruiting class, led by Miami Central OT Navaughn Donaldson, who was profiled by David Perez.

Canes Basketball is around the corner. Here’s a hype video for you:

Co-managing editor Jerry Steinberg wrote about the 3 big questions facing Canes Hoops heading into the 2016-17 season.

Miami Baseball, fresh off back-to-back CWS appearances, has the #13 recruiting class in America for this year. The Canes start fall ball today (Thursday), and here’s who will be pitching.

Here’s a transcript of Mark Richt’s comments ahead of the ACC Coastal clash with North Carolina.

Here’s the latest installment of Mike Grunewald’s Sunshine State 7 rankings for the FBS schools in Florida.

Daniel Tummeley has a primer on what to expect from North Carolina on Saturday.

Ricky Paolillo is back with another week of ACC Power Rankings

SOTU photographer Mike Seay took some great pics during UM-FSU. (Do yourself a favor and skip that last picture, though).

And that’s it.

Have a great almost-Friday, you guys!

Go Canes!