HURRICANES READY FOR FULL PAD PRACTICE ON WEDNESDAY
Aug. 7, 2007
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – – CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The University of Miami Hurricanes wrapped up their fourth day of preseason camp at the Greentree Practice Fields Tuesday morning. Miami will put on full pads for the first time Wednesday.
“We worked again in the red zone and added third-down situations in there,” UM head coach Randy Shannon said. “We got physical a little bit on the inside. The run guys did a good job on both sides of the ball.”
Freshmen wide receiver Leonard Hankerson and defensive end Adewale Ojomo participated in their first practice after being cleared by the NCAA Clearinghouse on Monday afternoon. Hankerson prepped at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale and led Broward County with 803 receiving yards on 39 receptions while scoring 14 touchdowns. Ojomo signed from nearby Hialeah High School, where he had 60 tackles and four sacks as a senior.
“It’s nice for the team to have those guys practicing,” Shannon said. “It’s an opportunity for those guys. It’s discouraging when you have to sit out and want to be a part of something. They did everything they were asked to do. But the Clearinghouse has to do paperwork and clear them. That’s what happens.”
Shannon confirmed that senior defensive tackle Teraz McCray sat out practice and is a “little nicked up right now.”
Miami returns to the practice field in full pads at 7:50 a.m. Wednesday. The team will have a closed scrimmage on Thursday.
Notes:
Shannon Likes Split Punting and Kicking Duties
Redshirt freshman Matt Bosher, junior Daren Daly, senior David Strimple and senior Francesco Zampogna are all in competition for UM’s punting and placekicking duties. “I really don’t want the punter and kicker to be the same guy,” Shannon said. “All of us (coaches) feel that way. It’s a different rhythm of kicking the football. One is leg up. One is leg down. One is your drop has to be right. One is don’t snap your head up.”
Phillips Just Doing Fine
Junior safety Kenny Phillips was selected preseason All-ACC. He’s also garnered preseason All-American honors from several publications. “He’s doing fine right now,” Shannon said. “He’s working hard. He’s trying to get better with the team. He’s making adjustments. We’re excited about him.”
Gordon Dropping Deep Some
Sophomore tight end Richard Gordon has worked some at returning punts the first couple of days of practice. At 6-4, 260 pounds, Gordon is also in the mix to be the starting tight end for the Hurricanes.
25 Days Until First Game
Hurricanes fans can purchase single-game tickets, a four-game Mega-Plan or season tickets through the month of August. Single-game tickets are $47 each, while the Mega-Plan, which includes a reserved ticket to the Texas A&M game and three other home games of choice, is $160 per pack ($7 savings per ticket ). Season tickets start as low as $190, which is only $27 per game. Tickets can be purchased at www.hurricanesports.com or by calling (305) 284-CANES in Miami-Dade or (800) GO-CANES outside of Miami-Dade.
