Miami Hurricanes' Plan Appears To Be Redshirting Both Backup Quarterbacks
On Sunday, Miami Hurricanes second-year quarterback Jacurri Brown revealed on his Instagram that this is a redshirt season for him.
"My shirt red, but my time coming like Santa," Brown said in an IG caption.
In Miami's opening win against Miami of Ohio, Brown wasn't used. Instead, the Hurricanes put true freshman Emory Williams into the game in the fourth quarter once Tyler Van Dyke's night was finished.
Williams performed well, completing all three of his attempts.
However, Emory, like Brown, appears destined for a redshirt season.
Offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson indirectly revealed those plans during his Monday press conference.
"They're both there to play. Ultimately, I have four games to play with both of them," Dawson said, referring to Brown and Williams.
"I am going to be very strategic with what I do with both of those guys. People can read into whatever they want to read into, but I've got four games."
The implication here is that both will play only enough to preserve a redshirt. Williams got a turn already, so Brown might very well get the next one. It's also possible that Dawson might design some short yardage or "wildcat" type packages to get Brown on the field even in games that Van Dyke starts. That could explain why Emory was used in mop up duty, not Brown.
Per NCAA rules, a player can compete in up to four games without burning a redshirt. Brown appeared in eight games last season, but can redshirt this year.
The plan to preserve an extra season of eligibility for both Brown and Williams is a sound one. As long as Tyler Van Dyke stays healthy this season, eight total games between the two backups should be more than enough to spell the starter and provide insurance on the bench.
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