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The University of Miami has an illustrious list of QBs that have led the Canes to conference and national championships, won two Heisman trophies and financed a few buildings on the lustrous Coral Gables Campus. This who's who list of gunslingers, such as Vinny Testaverde, Jim Kelly and Gino Torretta has led to Miami being named "Quarterback University".
Can a redshirt junior, former baseball player, be the next name etched among the greats? On August 22nd, Coach Richt named the non-prototypical, 6'1" 215lb, dual-threat, 3-start Malik Rosier as the starting QB for the 2017 season. Despite lacking national hype and not being the sexy pick to win the starter job by many media outlets, there is only one thing Rosier must do to add his name to the list. WIN! Here are the resources he has to accomplish this feat that his predecessors have lacked since Ken Dorsey.
Coaching: Coach Richt and his staff, in year two, bring stability, a proven scheme, and a stellar pedigree to the sidelines. Past staff have appeared overwhelmed by the job and their schemes failed to put players in the right position to win. These short comings handicapped previous QBs chances to win. With the "QB Guru" calling the shots, Rosier has his Moses to lead him to the Promise Land.
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Players: Every Canes QB on the elite list had a plethora of playmakers around them on both sides of the ball that could take over a game. Rosier will be supported by arguably one of the best defenses in the ACC anchored by LB Shaq Quarterman and DE Chad Thomas. On the offensive side, he has a Swiss Army knife of WRs led by Senior Braxton Berrios and All-American Ahmmon Richards. The backfield is spearheaded by the ACC's returning leading rusher and an O-line that projects to be significantly better than years past.
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Schedule: The first two games allowed the first year starter time to find his rhythm leading up to their clash with #3 FSU. Following this matchup they have an extremely manageable schedule. The Canes are favored in their remaining games and their other marquee games, Virginia Tech and Notre Dame, are at home late in the year.
If Rosier is able to lead the Hurricanes to their first 10+ win season and conference championship in 14 years (2003), will he reignite the Quarterback U mantra? But, the first step to building his legacy is dethroning FSU as “State Champions” on Saturday
Let me know your thoughts.
Starting QBs since 2003:
*Brock Berlin (03-04)
*Kyle Wright (05-07)
Kirby Freeman (06-07)
Robert Marve (08)
*Jacory Harris (08-11)
Stephen Morris (11-13)
Brad Kayaa (14-16)
*Beat FSU