Camp Report: Miami Wraps Up First of Two Thursday Practices
CORAL GABLES, Fla.-The University of Miami held the first of two scheduled practices on Thursday as the team holds its first two-a-day of fall camp on the Greentree Practice Fields. For the second straight day, UM practiced in full pads as the team continues to prepare for its first scrimmage on Sunday.
Thursday’s second practice – originally slated for the late afternoon hours – has been moved to this evening in anticipation of afternoon thunderstorms expected to roll in. This morning’s practice was held under mostly cloudy skies and temperatures in the mid-to-upper 80’s.
A DIFFERENT LOOK
Six veteran Canes came out to practice this morning with a different job. Instead of strapping it up, Travis Benjamin, LaRon Byrd, Joel Figueroa, Chase Ford, Marcus Forston and Sean Spence served as player-coaches throughout the session. Dressed in shorts and t-shirts, the six seniors worked alongside UM’s regular assistants in coaching up their fellow teammates. With Thursday being the first two-a-day of camp, it was a welcomed break and good way to put their leadership to work.
VIKINGS, RAIDERS IN ATTENDANCE THURSDAY
For the first time in camp, representatives from the Minnesota Vikings and Oakland Raiders made it out to Greentree to get a look at some of the Hurricanes in action. Since Monday, UM has had scouts from seven different NFL teams visit campus…
THURSDAY – Vikings, Raiders
WEDNESDAY – Buccaneers
TUESDAY – Panthers, Jaguars, Broncos
MONDAY – Chiefs, Panthers, Jaguars
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
WR Allen Hurns – The sophomore wideout was a consistent target for quarterbacks Jacory Harris and Stephen Morris during Thursday’s first practice session. Hurns, after speeding past the secondary, hauled in a near 40-yard touchdown reception from Morris in a full team drill.
OL Harland Gunn– Dominating opposing defensive linemen for the majority of practice, Gunn was a key to the more successful run plays on Thursday. The senior drew consistent praise from his coaches for his energetic and ferocious play.
Defense
LB Ramon Buchanan – With Sean Spence coaching from the sidelines, the senior linebacker stepped in and became the vocal leader of the defense on Thursday. Buchanan repeatedly rushed past anyone in his way, ending up with big tackles and multiple stops in the backfield.
DL Curtis Porter– Returning from an injury that cost him the majority of the 2010 season, Porter appeared fully recovered during the first practice session on Thursday. The 300-pound defensive tackle used his quickness and large frame to shut down a handful of running plays.
GOLDEN BEFORE PRACTICE
HURRICANES BEFORE PRACTICE
QB Jacory Harris…
QB Stephen Morris…
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 A.J. Highsmith’sstory…
“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: A.J. Highsmith
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Some items you may have missed over the last few days…..
Canes Finally Go to Full Pads on Day Five
Miami’s Vernon Named to Ted Hendricks Award Watch List
Otto Named to 2011 ACC Football Legends Class
Canes to Play in ESPN 3D Twice
UM Unveils First-Ever Digital Guide
NEXT PRACTICE
Miami will return to Greentree Friday morning for another 8:20 a.m. session.
SEASON TIX
Season Tickets for the start of the CLICKING HERE.
