Miami Hurricanes News and Notes: 24 Hours Until Kickoff, ACC Network Launch, ProCane Updates

Good Morning Canes Fam,

The Hurricanes enter College Football’s season opener against the 8th ranked Florida Gators at Camping World Stadium tomorrow night.

Again, we’re just a day away from kickoff!!!

State of Declaration

Want to know how the Hurricanes match up schematically with the Gators? State of the U’s Justin Dottavio has you covered in this week’s Film Preview, highlighting the strengths, weaknesses and tendencies of UF entering week 0.

Jarren Williams, Felipe Franks and Jeff Thomas are just some of the names to know ahead of Saturday. Read up on some of the other big names ahead of the big showdown in our Matchup Preview.

The second part of our SOTU Roundtable was published on Thursday. Some of the topics we tackled include: which player for UM needs to step up, reasons why the Canes will win and which the player we consider UF’s biggest threat.

Putting together an outstanding performance against the Florida Gators can turn a Hurricane into an instant legend. Our own Todd Forrest spotlights the players who’ve come up big in this rivalry.

There’s been a sizeable gap in time between the last time UM and UF squared off. SOTU’s Kevin Fielder provides an update on what happened to some UM stars after the Canes defeated the Gators in 2013.

225, 53 and 10. What do all those digits have in common? You’ll have to read Carl Bleich’s article on key magical numbers ahead of Saturday’s showdown.

Thursday marked the penultimate selection in our 100 Greatest Plays in Miami History. Play number two co-stars Matt Walters and Ed Reed working together to produce one of the most pivotal plays in program history.

Notes to Know Before Saturday

Rumors about an offensive equivalent to the Turnover Chain gained some steam yesterday. South Florida Sun Sentinel reporter Omar Kelly provided details on the new chain.

Vince Wilfork will be the Hurricanes honorary captain on Saturday. On the other side of the field, Lito Sheppard will represent the Gators.

We know that the Gators will wear their Blue jerseys, Orange helmets and White pants Saturday night.

Since the Canes are the away team, they’ll be sporting White jerseys. However, the rest of the uniform has yet to be revealed.

Canes Legend Gives His Approval of ‘The New Miami’

Miami got a special visit from Jimmy Johnson this past week. The former Hurricane coach spoke highly of Manny Diaz and ‘The New Miami’.

Recruiting Roll Call

Here’s a list of some commits and prospects expected to be in attendance.

Class of 2020 Recruiting Cycle

Belen Jesuit RB Don Chaney Jr. — UM Commit

Miami Norland OT Issiah Walker Jr. — Uncommitted

Deland S Avantae Williams — Oregon Commit

Miami Northwestern WR Marcus Fleming — UM Commit

Gulliver Prep DE Donnell Harris — Uncommitted

Tampa Berkley Prep DE Jaylen Harrell — Uncommitted

Dublin (Ga.) DE/LB Romello Height — UM Commit

Class of 2021 Recruiting Class

Miami Palmetto DT Leonard Taylor — Uncommitted

Miami Northwestern WR Romello Brinson — UM Commit

Miami Palmetto DT Savion Collins — UM Commit

Miami Northwestern WR Kahlil Brantley— UM Commit

And plenty more!

ACC Network Launch

Thursday marked the debut of the ACC Network. If you among the fortunate who can watch the channel, the network has a solid product upon launch. Former Canes head coach Mark Richt looked comfortable as a panelist on the college football-focused program called The Huddle.

UM Football will make its debut on the network on September 7th on the road against the University of North Carolina.

UM Men’s Basketball will host Louisville on November 5th in their ACC opener.

In correlation with the launch of the ACC Network, ESPN put together an All-Time All-ACC college football team. TE Greg Olsen was the only Hurricane to be named to the first team.

The 305 Beat

Jimmy Johnson’s appearance at practice was one of the highlights of the week. Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald details why the former coach praised the new direction of the program.

UM versus UF has seen action both on the field and away from it. Susan Miller Degnan of the Miami Herald reflects on the violent and sometimes bloody feud.

Christy Cabrera Chirinos of the hurricanesports.com spoke with Miami’s senior linebackers — Shaq Quarterman, Mike Pinckney and Zach McCloud— as their final ride as Hurricanes commence.

LB Shaq Quarterman was also named a Second Team Preseason All-American by The Athletic ($) and the Associated Press.

Bill Connelly of ESPN slots Jonathan Garvin at 20 in his list of the 25 most important players in the College Football Chase.

CBSSports.com released their ACC experts picks this week. A couple of writers felt that the Hurricanes were overrated entering competition. One staff member predicted that if the Hurricanes are able to get past the Gators, they’ll run the table and contend for a CFP playoff spot.

Clinton Portis Sticks to Football

The former Washington Redskin running back Clinton Portis hopped on Bleacher Reports’ Stick to Football podcast to provide some insight ahead of UM vs. UF game on Saturday. Portis also makes a case for Miami to be the one true ‘RBU’.

You can listen to the full interview on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.

ProCane NFL Updates

For the first time since he was traded to the Houston Texans a couple of weeks ago, RB Duke Johnson Jr. practiced for the first time with his new team. The former Cleveland Brown is recovering from a hamstring injury.

In other Texans news, ProCane T Seantrel Henderson has looked good in training camp after missing the 2018 season with a broken ankle. The former number one overall recruit is projected to start at right tackle.

Miami Dolphins running back Mark Walton had his three legal cases resolved this past Monday. Walton took a global plea deal that will result in him facing no jail time, according to the Miami Herald. Walton still could face discipline from the NFL if the league deems he violated the personal conduct policy. The RB finished turned in a four receptions for 20 receiving yards and touchdown agains the Jaguars last night.

Browns’ TE David Njoku was cleared for individual drill work after suffering a knee injury in camp.

Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com reports that S Sheldrick Redwine got some first team reps at nickel this week.

After suffering a neck sprain last week, Browns DE Chad Thomas returned to practice Monday. In Cleveland’s latest depth chart reveal, Thomas is listed as a third-team DE behind projected starter DE Olivier Vernon.

San Francisco 49ers S Adrian Colbert suffered a hamstring injury in last week’s game against the Broncos. No timetable has been given for his recovery.

Jamal Carter made his debut at inside linebacker for the Denver Broncos. Denver has lost four ILB alone to injury this preseason, so Carter’s temporary move to the position is more out of trying to survive to the regular season than a major position switch.

I don’t know if anyone has ever compared Atlanta Falcons LB Jermaine Grace to WR Odell Beckham, but the ProCane has made a great impression during training camp. Grace finished with two tackles, two assisted tackles and a pass deflection against the Washington Redskins on Thursday.

According to the Minnesota Star Tribune, both ProCane G Danny Isidora and DT Tito Odenigbo are jeopardy of being on the chopping block during final cuts next weekend.

Not only is Ereck Flowers expected to make the Washington Redskins’ roster, the Washington Post projects the now offensive guard to start at the beginning of the season.

Mark Kaboly of The Athletic Pittsburgh ($) details Steelers CB Artie Burns’ drive to restore his confidence in 2019. The ProCane corner is in contention for the team’s 3rd cornerback spot.

In a Q&A on Twitter, The Athletic Baltimore’s Jeff Zrebiec stated that things are trending towards Gerald Willis not making the Ravens’ final roster.

Friday’s preseason schedule:

Cleveland Browns vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 7:30pm EDT

Buffalo Bills vs. Detroit Lions 8pm EDT

Non-Football Updates

While football is a day from starting their season, UM Women’s Soccer got theirs underway on Thursday. The Hurricanes travelled to the Lone Star State to take The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Senior midfielder Kristina Fisher scored the opening goal for Miami before the 20th minute of the first half. Lauren Markwith, Ine Østmo and Tia Dupont added to the Canes scoring en route to a 4-0 win. Bayleigh Chaviers added two assists on evening.

The ladies will be back on the pitch on Sunday to take on Fairleigh Dickinson on Sunday.

Hurricanes Volleyball continues to warm up before the start of the 2019 season. UM will host FIU in an exhibition contest at the Knight Sports Complex. First serve is set for 5:30pm EDT.

After tonight’s tune-up the team will prepare for the season opener at the Puerto Rico Clasico against Missouri a week from today.

Go Canes and BEAT UF!!!