Good Sign For Hurricanes Football? Speed & Competition Levels UP This Spring, Player Says
Speaking with 5th year senior defensive back Te'Cory Couch gave me some optimism as to where the Miami Hurricanes are trending this spring.
After Thursday's practice, he said the team was practicing faster than they were at this time last year. I was curious as to why. Is it because the team is more familiar with what Mario Cristobal expects from them? Couch clarified for me.
"I would say it's faster just because there's more competition," Couch said. "Everybody's hungry right now. Everybody wants it right now. There's no sluggishness and there's no down-slide when you go up against the next guy. Even if you're going up against (a second or third stringer) it's still top-notch competition."
Talent acquisition has been the primary objective for head coach Mario Cristobal. He wasn't satisfied with Miami's depth when he took over in 2022 and has since overhauled the roster with transfers and a top 7 recruiting class.
Couch's defensive backfield has welcomed transfer cornerbacks Davonte Brown (UCF) and Terry Roberts Jr. (Iowa). Incoming freshmen Damari Brown, Robert Stafford and Antione Jackson won't be enrolling until summer, but safety Kaleb Spencer is on campus and practicing as an early enrollee. He's been turning heads. Couch described Spencer as a "ball hawk." Couch says even though players aren't tackling each other to the ground at this stage in spring, the physical contact and "thudding" on Greentree gives him an idea as to who is physical out there and who isn't.
Newcomers are making an impact at several other spots.
Early enrollee 5-star freshman Francis Mauigoa took starters reps at right tackle during Thursday's practice. His older brother, Francisco Mauigoa, a transfer from Washington State, got starters reps on Thursday at Mike linebacker.
Transfer offensive linemen Matt Lee (UCF) and Javion Cohen (Alabama) are widely expected to be starters at center and left guard, respectively.
Iron sharpens iron. Competition can only make these Canes better.
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