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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.
"It's getting fun in South Beach!"
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) October 1, 2021
Miami's Tyler Van Dyke rumbles for 6️⃣ pic.twitter.com/BfI73v4c1p
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.
Heard you, Tyler Van Dyke!!
— PFF College (@PFF_College) October 1, 2021
TOUCHDOWN MIAMIpic.twitter.com/jrgpO90esf
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.
https://t.co/a9rfdK6pZ9 pic.twitter.com/jI86e27tDT
— 4’s Up Podcast (@4sUpPodcast) October 5, 2021
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.
You hear a doink. We hear Manny Diaz losing his job. pic.twitter.com/sJlyHU4ChR
— Unnecessary Roughness (@UnnecRoughness) October 1, 2021
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?
Through 29 games as Head coach at Miami.
— Vic Damone Jr (@dagreatest33) October 1, 2021
Randy Shannon 16-13
Manny Diaz 16-13
Al Golden 18-11
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.
Leonard Taylor with TFL pic.twitter.com/1aIhLHfTEG
— Grantlong (@Grantlonggg) October 1, 2021
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.
I understand that our other DT’s have been playing well, but Leonard Taylor showed that’s he’s as good as any of them, maybe even better.
— Marsh (@hurricanesmarsh) October 1, 2021
The way he flashes on the field is different than most
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.
Ickey Ekwonu: Highest-graded OT in CFB pic.twitter.com/y8ShPMcCoJ
— PFF College (@PFF_College) October 5, 2021
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.
TOUCHDOWN MIAMI
— NCAAF Nation (@NCAAFNation247) October 1, 2021
Now that's how you DIVE Cam'Ron Harris. pic.twitter.com/GCYH4lHtN9
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.
Cam’Ron Harris is GONE
— The Transfer Portal CFB (@TPortalCFB) October 1, 2021
TD for The U pic.twitter.com/hTqoZiYFc9