Hurricane Freshmen Tackle Two-a-Days
Aug. 6, 1999
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The 1999 University of Miami freshman footballclass began fall practice with two practice sessions in helmets and shoulderpads at the Greentree Practice Facility.
The morning practice, which began at 8:30 a.m. and lasted two hours,consisted of pre-practice routines and special team drills.
“It was an excellent start,” said Head Coach Butch Davis. “It’s oneof the biggest groups of freshmen that we’ve had. We were able to get alittle more done today. Clearly, it was Football 101. It was elementaryfrom starts and stances to how to break from huddles.”
In the afternoon, a one-and-a-half hour session, the freshmen brokeoff into offensive and defensive units. Both squads kept a focus on workingon fundamentals and basic drills.
“There was a little bit more of a focus on individual skills,” addedDavis. “We got the chance to watch some guys. I am more excited todayabout this freshman class than I was on signing day.”
Davis praised the play of several players on both sides of the ball,including linebackers Jermell and Jerrell Weaver (Miami, FL/Northwestern),wide receivers Andre Johnson (Miami, FL/Miami Senior) and Anthony Johnson(Tulsa, OK/Booker T. Washington), quarterback Ken Dorsey (Orinda,CA/Miramonte), and offensive linemen Vernon Carey (Miami, FL/Northwestern) and Bryant McKinnie (Woodbury, NJ/Woodbury/Lackawanna J.C.)
“On defense, the Weaver twins (Jermell and Jerrell) looked goodtoday. One of those guys would make a great hit and then the other.Offensively, Andre and Anthony Johnson had great catches in both practices.
Ken Dorsey also did a nice job throwing the ball. Some of the big guys onthe offensive line look like they can block out the sun. Bryant McKinnieand Vernon Carey look like great bookends to build an offensive line for thefuture.”
The freshmen return to practice on Saturday morning at 9:20 a.m. atthe Greentree Practice Facility. Full-squad practices begin at 8:30 a.m. onMonday.
MEDIA ADVISORY:The Hurricanes will conduct Media Day on Sunday, August 8, 1-3:00 p.m. atthe Knight Sports Complex on the UM campus.
