By MIKE SMITH
When the head coach and veteran quarterback both leave spring practice with smiles on their faces, it’s likely a good sign for a college football program.
Miami head coach Chuck Martin and quarterback Gus Ragland were in a smiling mood after Saturday’s Spring Showcase, which wrapped up the RedHawks spring practice schedule. It was the entirety of spring activities, however, which boosted the good vibes.
Martin went so far as . . .
When the head coach and veteran quarterback both leave spring practice with smiles on their faces, it’s likely a good sign for a college football program.
Miami head coach Chuck Martin and quarterback Gus Ragland were in a smiling mood after Saturday’s Spring Showcase, which wrapped up the RedHawks spring practice schedule. It was the entirety of spring activities, however, which boosted the good vibes.
Martin went so far as . . .
Alonzo Smith scores as Mike Brown defends on the play. (MVSmith/MRO) . . . to call it a “fantastic spring,” noting “We’ve made a lot of progress. … It’s as good a spring as I’ve had. … We’ve got kids that love football, and they want to compete, so it’s hard to have a bad day with these kids.”
“It just feels good that we ended on a good note,” said Ragland, who saw limited action Saturday but tossed one touchdown.
Redshirt sophomore QB Jackson Williamson, however, got plenty of snaps and was involved in a pair of scores. He found Andrew Homer on a seven-yard TD pass and also ran one in from 21 yards out. Ragland hit Quentin Hardy with a five-yard strike and senior RB Alonzo Smith found the end zone from three yards out.
“It just feels good that we ended on a good note,” said Ragland, who saw limited action Saturday but tossed one touchdown.
Redshirt sophomore QB Jackson Williamson, however, got plenty of snaps and was involved in a pair of scores. He found Andrew Homer on a seven-yard TD pass and also ran one in from 21 yards out. Ragland hit Quentin Hardy with a five-yard strike and senior RB Alonzo Smith found the end zone from three yards out.
Quentin Hardy pulls in a pass during drills. (MVSmith/MRO) Some likely starters missed time Saturday and/or other parts of the spring practice schedule. However, that opened up opportunities for younger players to see action.
The RedHawks also needed to see potential replacements for spots vacated by graduation.
“Going into the spring, there were definitely some question marks (at receiver) and some other positions,” Ragland said. “I was excited to see some of the guys step up and compete. … It was exciting to see some of the young guys step up … and make plays.”
According to Martin, younger players are feeding off the play of a very large and experienced senior group.
“Our older guys are playing so frenetic that, as soon as that ball is snapped, they’re flying around. The young guys (then) are starting to figure out, ‘Hey, that’s how you play.’ … The young guys are really learning from the older guys.”
There will be more to sort out as the RedHawks get into fall camp, but the potential for success is there, especially on an offense that should be able to move the ball by ground or through the air.
The RedHawks also needed to see potential replacements for spots vacated by graduation.
“Going into the spring, there were definitely some question marks (at receiver) and some other positions,” Ragland said. “I was excited to see some of the guys step up and compete. … It was exciting to see some of the young guys step up … and make plays.”
According to Martin, younger players are feeding off the play of a very large and experienced senior group.
“Our older guys are playing so frenetic that, as soon as that ball is snapped, they’re flying around. The young guys (then) are starting to figure out, ‘Hey, that’s how you play.’ … The young guys are really learning from the older guys.”
There will be more to sort out as the RedHawks get into fall camp, but the potential for success is there, especially on an offense that should be able to move the ball by ground or through the air.
Cedric Asseh jams Tyler Fleetwood as the redshirt sophomore starts his route. (MVSmith/MRO)
“We definitely have the talent,” said Ragland, who noted the RedHawks have added some wrinkles. “We can do a lot of things this year that we haven’t been able to do in the past, and we did it all spring. That was really exciting to see.”
I think we’ll run and pass it better than we ever have next fall, so (balance) is the goal, for certain,” Martin said.
I think we’ll run and pass it better than we ever have next fall, so (balance) is the goal, for certain,” Martin said.
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