Camp Report: Canes Finally Go to Full Pads on Day Five

CORAL GABLES, Fla.– Wednesday marked an eventful day on the Greentree Practice Fields as the Canes finally got a chance to suit up in full pads for the team’s fifth practice session of fall camp.

After working in just helmets the first two days before adding shoulder pads the last two, the team was finally able to go all out this morning. And as expected, the intensity was turned up a notch.

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
TE Clive Walford – The redshirt freshman proved to be an important target for quarterbacks Jacory Harris and Stephen Morris on Wednesday, utilizing his height and size in various drills. The 6-foot-4 Walford came down with three balls in the end zone against the defense through the session.

FB Maurice Hagens – Hagens played an important role on Day Five, plowing the way for running backs Lamar Miller and Mike James. The sophomore back, who appeared in six games for the Canes last year, appears ready for an increased role in the offense.

Defense
DE Olivier Vernon – Well known for his athleticism, the junior defensive end was a monster for defensive coordinator Mark D’Onofrio on Wednesday. Vernon, aside from putting constant pressure on the quarterbacks, had a forced fumble and two pass break-ups.

LB Gionni Paul – Facing an offense with plenty of talent, the true freshman looked up to the challenge on day five. Paul had numerous tackles in different short yardage drills and his passion and intensity appeared to energize his defensive teammates on several occasions.

D’ONOFRIO TALKS DEFENSE
D’Onofrio met with members of the media prior to practice and gave a lot of insight on his defense. Here were some items of note…

– Defensive end Anthony Chickillo and linebacker Denzel Perryman have stood out among the defensive freshmen. On Chickillo… “He’s been everything we’ve hoped for.”
– He’s happy with his unit’s fundamentals early in camp, specifically how his secondary is tackling.
– His first-team front seven right now is Andrew Smith, Marcus Forston, Micanor Regis and Chickillo on the line, with Ramon Buchanan, James Gaines and Sean Spence in linebacker spots.
– D’Onofrio says Gaines has the edge at middle linebacker because of “consistency and work ethic.” Says he has outworked the guys behind him.

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

GOLDEN BEFORE PRACTICE

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OTHERS BEFORE PRACTICE

DC Mark D’Onofrio…

LB Jordan Futch…

LB James Gaines…

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 Lamar Miller’s story….

“It’s good playing with all of the local Miami guys, because when it’s time to work, everyone competes. We have fun, but everybody competes. Playing against them in high school was tough, especially the Northwestern kids. They always used to knock us out of the playoffs. It makes all of us better, playing against each other.”

Behind the Facemask: Lamar Miller

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Some items you may have missed over the last few days…

Miami’s Vernon Named to Ted Hendricks Award Watch List
Otto Named to 2011 ACC Football Legends Class
Telemaque Leads the Defense Tuesday Morning
Canes to Play in ESPN 3D Twice
UM Unveils First-Ever Digital Guide

NEXT PRACTICE
Miami will hold its first two-a-day of camp on Thursday as the team is scheduled to practice at its regular time (8:20 a.m.) and then again in the afternoon at 3 p.m.

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