Clemson Tigers

Miami Hurricanes Headed Towards Dual Threat QB's

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 4:35 p.m. ET

Fansided, Roman Marciante/FanSided via Canes Warning

Oct 24, 2015; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes quarterback Malik Rosier (12) scrambles during the second half against the Clemson Tigers at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Brad Kaaya’s early departure for the NFL has left the Miami Hurricane starting quarterback spot up for grabs like a perfectly thrown Hail Mary. One prerequisite head coach Mark Richt has emphasized moving forward is the ability to extend plays in the pocket.

Richt’s offense is ready to have a metamorphosis incorporating a new dynamic to the signal caller position. Welcome to the Miami dual threat era.

Clemson was the underdog when they met top-ranked and unbeaten Alabama in the National Championship Game last month. Ultimately we know the outcome, Clemson won. The quarterback wizardry from the NFL bound Quarterback Deshaun Watson was one of the biggest reasons why.

Coach Mark Richt never beat Alabama in an SEC championship game. If he did, Richt would not be the Miami Hurricanes 24th coach. What was Richt thinking watching Watson, a state of Georgia high school legend, beat his arch nemesis Nick Saban in Tampa? What if Watson kept his unique dual threat talent home and became a Bulldog?

The last time Richt won an SEC championship was in 2005. His quarterback was D.J. Shockley from Atlanta. Shockley was classified a dual threat from North Clayton High School.

Richt also coached a Heisman award winner while at Florida State. He was a dual threat quarterback named Charlie Ward. I still can envision those back breaking impromptu plays Ward would pull off during those epic rivalry games. A scramble here, a shift there, and another collected Hurricane fan’s tear as the referee signaled first down.

Remember the name – N’Kosi Perry.#WelcomeToTheU pic.twitter.com/24ySFIh4Fb

— Canes Football (@CanesFootball) February 1, 2017

Fast forward to 2017 and Vanguard high school quarterback N’kosi Perry was Coach Richt’s number one priority this cycle. A gifted quarterback with the ability to “Run like a deer” as head coach Richt so eloquently described.

Tampa Jefferson product Cade Weldon who enrolled earlier this year, also comes in with running ability and amassed close to 400 yards on the ground during his senior campaign. Two new quarterbacks in the fold. Two new quarterbacks who are capable of extending plays with their feet.

If you thought the 2017 quarterback class was an aberration, all you have to do is shift your gaze to the 2018 class and realize it is not. 247 Sports lists 11 quarterbacks offered by the University of Miami. Eight of those are Dual Threats. Names like Dorian Thompson-Robinson from Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas. Casey Thompson from Southmoore High School in Moore, Oklahoma and recently offered Joe Milton from Olympia High School in Orlando.

Blessed to received another offer from the university of Miami 💯🏈 pic.twitter.com/jyfvBTFb6T

— Joe milton #7 (@Qbjayy7) February 3, 2017

Recent IMG transfer Artur Sitkowski shows plenty of athletic running capability despite being listed as a pro-style quarterback. After reviewing the tape on all 11 quarterbacks every single one of them can run. Not all of them are Michael Vick incarnate, but all the quarterbacks Mark and Jon Richt are targeting can extend plays with their feet.

Negative 386 yards; that is the career rushing total of Brad Kaaya (sacks effect rushing totals). As efficient a signal caller Kaaya was, he simply could not extend plays with his feet.

Head coach Mark Richt has had championship and Heisman winning success with mobile quarterbacks in the past. There is no doubt analyzing the trend, that Richt is trying to replicate that feat in the future. Welcome to the Miami Hurricane dual threat era.