Canes Stock Report, Week 5: Who’s Up, Who’s Down

I know I said I was going to post this article the day after each game, but after the Canes heartbreaking 30-28 loss to Virginia last Thursday, I had to give it a few days before I revisited this debacle.

So now that the Hurricanes are 2-3 this year, let’s see whose stock rose, and whose fell.

Stock Up: Tyler Van Dyke

While he was a little jumpy in the first half, I came away pleased with how Van Dyke fared in his first real start of his career. TVD finished the night completing 15-of-29 passes, for 203 yards and 1 touchdown. Yes he missed a few throws throughout the night, but he didn’t turn the ball over, and his play down the stretch is the only reason Miami had a chance to win the game at all.

Moving forward, I’m very excited to see how Van Dyke progresses, as he gives us a clearer glimpse into the future of Miami quarterbacks.

Stock Down: Manny Diaz

Is this a surprise? Well if it is, shame on you. The fact that we’re here in October, five games into the season, and the Canes are 2-3, that comes down on the head coach. Say all you want about how Diaz handled that final drive, I don’t like the idea of leaving the game in the hands of a freshman kicker. Yes, Borregales should’ve made it, but I still don’t like that strategy.

Through 2 ¹⁄₂ years as head coach, Diaz’s record is 16-13. and when you start this season 2-3 with a team ranked #14 preseason, the ultimate blame will you come on you.

I’ve said it before, I’m done with Manny as head coach, and if he’s still HC by the time the year ends, I’d be shocked, but at the same time, not surprised. How sad is that?

Stock Up: Leonard Taylor

Wow, all I can say is wow. After not playing at all through the first three games of 2021, Taylor has proven the last two weeks why there was so much hype when Miami signed the 5-star prospect out of Palmetto High School.

With Jordan Miller and Jared Harrison-Hunte out due to injury, Taylor saw plenty of snaps and didn’t disappoint. Against Virginia, Taylor totaled 2 tackles, 1 sack and 1.5 TFL, and his 3 QB pressures were the most of any interior defensive lineman for Miami this season.

If you ask me, Taylor has made his claim to start against UNC, given the fact that he proved he’s just as good as any DT that Miami has.

Stock Up: Jarrid Williams

Williams was the top pass-blocker against Virginia, not allowing a single pressure on the quarterback the entire night. Hopefully, coach Garin Justice realizes that Williams is his best right tackle, and doesn’t switch him out the remaining of the year.

Stock Up: Miami Running Game

I was tempted to say “stock down” on this, but at the end of the day, the way Miami ran the ball in the second half, I chose to say that the stock is rising here. Cam’ron Harris rushed for 111 yards and 2 touchdowns, and Jaylan Knighton added 44 yards in his first game back.

I think Knighton needs to receive more carries as the season goes on, giving the ground game a more balanced attack between him and Harris, but I think Miami is on the right track there, few areas of the team I can say that.