Don’t Fret, The Quarterback room is Talented!

2019 very well may be defined by who wins the quarterback job, and how well they preform throughout the season. The one constant from lazy sports radio hosts, TV personalities, and many magazine publications is that Miami doesn’t have talent at the QB position. The opposite is actually the case. In years past, Miami was devoid of talent, which was either due to lack of development, or lack of recruiting. Now the cupboard is stocked with high level guys, that with the proper coaching, and proper scheme can produce high numbers.

We will find out very shortly (depending on when Manny Diaz decides to let us know) who is the starting Quarterback, and what the pecking order is behind him. Let’s look back at the depth chart over the last few seasons for comparison.

2008 – The competition was between RS Freshman Robert Marve, and True Freshman Jacory Harris. The QBs ended up spitting snaps throughout the season.

Jacory Harris – 4 Star, composite .8995

Robert Marve – 4 Star, composite .9373

Average Composite - .9184

Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

2009 – Robert Marve transferred away, and the job was Jacory Harris’ in his sophomore campaign. A.J Highsmith was the only recruit that season.

Jacory Harris – 4 Star, composite .8995

A.J Highsmith – 3 Star, composite .8653

Average Composite - .8824

2010 – Jacory was the clear starter, but injury late in the season forced the staff to burn Stephen Morris’ redshirt, and even use Spencer Whipple. Lack of quality depth reared its ugly head in 2010.

Jacory Harris – 4 Star, composite .8995

A.J Highsmith – 3 Star, composite .8653

Stephen Morris – 3 Star, composite .8622

Average Composite - .8756

2011- Only 2 Quarterbacks took snaps, and Al Golden did not bring in a recruit. Jacory Harris had a solid year even though the team struggled.

Jacory Harris – 4 Star, composite .8995

Stephen Morris – 3 Star, composite .8622

Average Composite - .8808

Photo by Justin Berl/Icon SMI/Corbis via Getty Images

2012 – Stephen Morris had a really good season until an ankle injury ruined the later part of his season. Transfer Ryan Williams took the mop up snaps.

Stephen Morris – 3 Star, composite .8622

Ryan Williams – 3 Star, .8306

Average Composite - .8464

2013 – Stephen Morris once again was the starter, and the offense was in the Top 35 in PPG. Ryan Williams got some mop up snaps as did Gray Crow. Kevin Olsen took a redshirt season.

Stephen Morris – 3 Star, composite .8622

Ryan Williams – 3 Star, .8306 composite

Gray Crow – 3 Star, .8654 composite

Kevin Olsen – 4 Star, .9582 composite

Ryan Williams – 3 Star, .8306 composite

Average Composite - .8791

Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images

2014 – Brad Kaaya arrived and won the job as a true freshman. Jake Heaps transferred in, but only attempted 12 passes, and Ryan Williams toiled as the 3^rd string QB. Malik Rosier was also recruited and redshirted.

Brad Kaaya – 4 Star. .9375 composite

Jake Heaps – 4 Star, .9547 composite

Ryan Williams – 3 Star, .8306 composite

Malik Rosier – 3 Star, .8437 composite

Average Composite - .8916

2015 – This season saw the end of the Al Golden era, as Brad Kaaya would be the unquestioned QB going into camp. A concussion forced Malik Rosier to make his 1^st start vs Duke (how did that game end?) and he played pretty well. Evan Shirreffs was a late add for depth purposes.

Brad Kaaya – 4 Star. .9375 composite

Malik Rosier – 3 Star, .8437 composite

Evan Shirreffs – 3 Star, .8025 composite

Average Composite - .8612

2016 – Mark Richt was brought in with a fresh new approach, and the team responded with a 9-4 season including their 1^st Bowl win in a decade. Brad Kaaya was the QB from start to finish with Malik Rosier only throwing 4 passes. Jack Allison was the prize signing, and took a redshirt season.

Brad Kaaya – 4 Star. .9375 composite

Malik Rosier – 3 Star, .8437 composite

Evan Shirreffs – 3 Star, .8025 composite

Jack Allison – 4 Star, .9264 composite

Average Composite - .8775

Al Diaz/Miami Herald/TNS via Getty Images

2017 – Malik Rosier would beat out Evan Shirreffs and Jack Allison to be the starter in 2017. Malik put up good numbers, and the Canes went 10-3. Two youngsters in N’Kosi Perry and Cade Weldon were added to the roster, but took redshirts.

Malik Rosier – 3 Star, .8437 composite

Jack Allison – 4 Star, .9264 composite

Evan Shirreffs – 3 Star, .8025 composite

N’Kosi Perry – 4 Star, .9218 composite

Cade Weldon – 3 Star, .8580 composite

Average Composite - .8704

Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images

2018 – Malik and N’Kosi were both given chances to be the starter, although Coach Richt shut that down early in spring practice. The team played QB roulette throughout the year which really train wrecked the season. Jarren Williams took a redshirt season.

Malik Rosier – 3 Star, .8437 composite

N’Kosi Perry – 4 Star, .9218 composite

Cade Weldon – 3 Star, .8580 composite

Jarren Williams – 4 Star, .9614 composite

Average Composite - .8962

Daniel A. Varela/Miami Herald/TNS via Getty Images

2019 – Tate Martell has transferred in, and Manny Diaz has left the competition wide open. Whomever wins the job will be one of the more highly decorated signal callers over the past decade.

N’Kosi Perry – 4 Star, .9218 composite

Jarren Williams – 4 Star, .9614 composite

Tate Martell – 4 Star, .9739 composite

Peyton Matocha – 3 Star, .8349 composite

Average Composite - .9230

Looking back over the past decade, Miami has had a lot of guys on the roster who quite frankly were not Miami caliber quarterbacks. The other issues have been that the Canes would have a high profile starter, and little to no competition behind him. 2019 will be different! Whoever comes out of fall camp as the starter will have undoubtedly earned the job, and be supremely talented. They will also have quality backups in place should things go astray.

Miami has the talent to be successful under center, now the right guy just has to grab the reins and take off.