David Frazier’s smile lit up like a spectacular sunny day back in his hometown of Columbia, South Carolina. He had just been asked for his take on the 2014 Miami RedHawks offensive potential.
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“It’s great. I love this offense,” Frazier beamed. “Our receiving corps is really energized. … We have a lot of experience, and everybody is just ready to get … this thing going again.
Given the RedHawks statistics from 2103, one might suspect Frazier’s outlook as being something between false bravado and wishful thinking. The RedHawks were last – or close to last – nationally in almost every offensive category.
Not only did MU fail to produce an effective running game, it significantly limited passing opportunities. The latter only got worse after the injury loss of quarterback Austin Boucher.
New Miami head coach Chuck Martin, however, has a new offensive scheme and a new quarterback.
Andrew Hendrix was at Notre Dame with Martin but transferred to Miami and was immediately eligible due to NCAA graduation rules. Hendrix, from nearby Cincinnati Moeller, knows Martin’s well. Moreover, after seeing limited action at Notre Dame, Hendrix is anxious to finish his career as a productive starter in his own backyard.
Frazier is one of the beneficiaries of Hendrix’s transfer.
'ONE-OF-A-KIND ARM'
“I love it- the system that (coach) Martin and the staff put in, and then we have a great quarterback,” Frazier said. “Hendrix has a one-of-a-kind arm. He just zips it in there.”
Frazier, a 6-0, 180-pounder, was sidelined by injuries in each of the last two years. The RedHawks winless season in 2013 didn’t help matters.
Yet as he enters his senior season, Frazier senses the program has not only made a u-turn to the right direction, it is once again embracing the forward pass.
Extra work during the summer – including directly with Hendrix – appears to have paid off for Frazier. He has been a particularly bright spot through much of the fall camp.
Moreover, several other receivers are impressing, as well.
“We have tons of receivers that can make plays. That is what is so good about our offense. If you have one person double covered, somebody (else) is going to make a big play,” Frazier said.
Given a new offense and talented quarterback to guide it, RedHawk receivers are anxious for 2013.
NOTES FROM SATURDAY
- Saturday’s practice was part of Miami’s Football Fall Picnic activities.
- Quarterback Andrew Hendrix was effective and worked through his progressions.
- Junior tight end Orlando David (6-3, 251), struggled at times receiving the ball during spring drills. However, he continued to to demonstrate improvement Saturday when he scored on a 50-yard TD play during one-on-one drills.
- Chris Hudson, a 6-6, 259-pound wide receiver, scored on a “jump ball” reception. Sam Shisso (6-5, 214) was similarly in the red zone drills.
- Defensively, Tre Clifton, Heath Harding, and Buchi Okafor ame up with interceptions.
- The Pigskin Picnic marks two weeks until the season opener. The RedHawks are at home for two games to start the season. The first is against Marshall, a Conference USA team led by Rakeem Cato. The Thundering Herd are considered a favorite in their own conference and a possible FBS playoff participant.
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