CORAL GABLES, Fla.– The Canes endured the hottest day of camp yet on Monday as the heat index reached as high 104 during Miami’s third fall practice on the Greentree Practice Fields.

The Canes started at their usual time right before 8:30 a.m. and finished just prior to storms rolling into Coral Gables in the 11 o’clock hour. The practice was the first with the student-athletes wearing shoulder pads.

Prior to the session, newcomer Darius Smith met with members of the media for the first time and the big defensive tackle talked about, among other things, the beginning of his first Canes camp.

“I came from a junior college and have two years of experience in college football, but I don’t think anything compares to Miami Hurricanes football,” Smith said. “The first day in pads, I have to prove myself like anyone else.”

Smith is working his way into the defensive tackle rotation alongside Marcus Forston, Micanor Regis, Luther Robinson, Olsen Pierre and Curtis Porter.

HIGH PERFORMANCE PLAYERS
Throughout camp, HurricaneSports.com will highlight some of the best performers in each day’s practice. While there are certainly other players who stood out throughout the course of the session, these student-athletes in particular caught our eye.

Offense
QB Stephen Morris – Amongst offensive players, the sophomore quarterback was one of the more consistent performers on day three of practice. After connecting with junior wide receiver Kendal Thompkins on a 20-yard rope in 7-on-7’s, he hit redshirt-freshman tight end Clive Walford with a 30-yard pass after Walford split the defense.

WR Tommy Streeter – The junior wide out, eager to make more of an impact in 2011, caught seemingly every ball thrown his way in Monday’s practice. Streeter utilized his height and athleticism in a strong performance in team 1-on-1’s, and was a main target for both Morris and senior Jacory Harris throughout practice.

Defense
CB Brandon McGee – Bringing energy on every play, McGee was one of the best defensive players on day three. McGee, who had an interception in team 1-on-1’s and a pass break-up in 7-on-7’s, drew praise from both defensive and offensive teammates for his highlight-reel interception.

DE Adewale Ojomo – The defensive line was impressive yet again, and the senior defensive end led the charge. Along with senior defensive tackle Marcus Forston – who had another forced fumble – Ojomo wreaked havoc in the backfield, breaking up running plays and pressuring the quarterback on nearly every snap.

BOTTS IMPRESSIVE EARLY IN CAMP
Sophomore punter Dalton Botts (Taft, Calif.) has been impressive early on in camp, booming deep punts on a consistent basis in different special teams drills. Botts, who stands at 6-foot-3, is among a handful of candidates for the punting job, which is wide open after the departure of now Atlanta Falcon Matt Bosher.

Botts attended Taft Union High School in California before stops at Bakersfield College and Moorpark Community College. Coming out of high school, he was three-star prospect according to Kohl’s Kicking.

NFL PRESENCE
Some NFL scouts braved the hot and humid conditions to get some reports on some draft-eligible Hurricanes Monday morning as representatives from the Kansas City Chiefs, Carolina Panthers and Jacksonville Jaguars made their first appearances on Greentree this fall.

PHOTO GALLERY: DAY THREE
Click HERE for a photo gallery of some of the action from Greentree today.

GOLDEN BEFORE PRACTICE

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HURRICANES BEFORE PRACTICE

WR Aldarius Johnson….

DL Darius Smith….

WR LaRon Byrd….

For more video interviews from Sunday’s practice, visit TheUFootball.com .

REVISITING BEHIND THE FACEMASK
Throughout camp, we will revisit some of our favorite Behind the Facemask stories that have been running throughout the summer. Today, we’ll take a look back at Tyler Horn’s story….

“The Golden Era is change. A lot of things have changed, some for the better. It’s very, very exciting to be around the University of Miami program right now with Coach Golden here. He’s brought a lot of energy that a lot of guys have noticed has been lacking. He’s holding people accountable. At the end of the day, it’s making the team so much better because of what he’s brought.”

Behind the Facemask: Tyler Horn

NEXT PRACTICE
Miami will return to Greentree on Tuesday at 8:20 a.m. for its third practice of camp.

SEASON TIX
Season Tickets for the start of the CLICKING HERE.