Canes Camp Report: Aug. 7
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The Hurricanes were back in action on the Greentree Practice Fields on Thursday as they continue making their way through preseason camp.
After practice, head coach Mario Cristobal and defensive backs Keionte Scott, Isaiah Taylor and Jakobe Thomas all shared their thoughts on the day’s session.
Here are some of their best quotes after Thursday’s practice as Miami moves one step closer to its Aug. 31 season opener against Notre Dame.
Head coach Mario Cristobal
On the team practicing in full pads for the first time Thursday:
“Obviously, we’re in full pads, but we’ve been in pads. I mean, it’s a little bit of a formality when they say its first day in full pads. It’s not entirely accurate. I mean, what we’re doing now, we’ve been doing for days. But overall, from an effort standpoint, and a physicality standpoint, we did take a step forward today. We were a little bit sloppy down the stretch and then regained our focus and finished practice strong.
“But all in all, what we’re seeing is the reps are paying off. We need to push these guys. We have to practice in pads. We have to be physical. We have to scrimmage. We certainly don’t ever want to get anybody hurt, but football is what it is. It’s all about blocking and tackling, throwing and catching and executing at a high level and doing it with discipline and doing it with high levels of technique and fundamentals. So, progress. Nowhere near where we need to be, but certainly, just getting ready for our meetings and getting better.”
On recruiting transfer defensive back Jakobe Thomas:
“He’s a guy that really wanted to improve his game and he wanted to be on a team that was headed in the right direction and also, where there was an opportunity. So, it all fit. But we also wanted to provide an opportunity for a guy to really improve himself and increase his value, while helping us and being a team-first guy. We felt he had all those things. I’m hard on him because he’s such a physical presence and he’s really smart and he’s really hard on himself. He can take hard coaching, but there’s no question about the fact he’s going to help us win football games and really improve our defense. He’s got a really, really bright future.”
On freshman wide receiver Joshua Moore:
“I think every day we challenge these guys to be more mature. And when I say mature, it’s not just age, it’s processes. It’s getting here earlier. It’s getting your activation done so your body can work better while you’re practicing. It’s coming in earlier for meetings and getting extra film time and walkthrough and catching some [on the] JUGS [Machine] or extra JUGS and then staying late to make sure that your mental game is on point.
“And then, making sure he’s repping against the frontline guys so he’s getting true, physical, knock-back, line-of-scrimmage, press-man coverage, off-man coverage, having to go in there and dig out safeties and be involved in the perimeter blocking game as well as catching the football. And Josh is a guy with a lot of pride and a lot of ability. He’s 215-pounds, on his way to 220 … he’s an awesome young man, awesome family. … We love pushing him. His progress is very real. His ability is off the charts and it’s our job to make sure that he impacts this football team sooner than later.”
On how the defensive backs have looked early in camp:
“I see a lot of competition back there. It’s very different. We’re longer. We’re more physical. I would say our ability to play multiple coverages has increased significantly. The level of intellect, of football IQ that has elevated a bunch, both by the type of player we brought in and also by, I would say, the coaching regimen of [defensive coordinator Corey] Hetherman, [defensive backs coach Zac] Etheridge, [safeties coach] Will Harris, coach [Terry] Jefferson, all those guys, they’re very demanding. They make guys versatile. You see guys playing different positions so they can learn it conceptually and then they keep the competition thick. Every day you’ve got to find your way and work your way above the line. You’re not going to be guaranteed that. And I think our guys are starting to understand that we just can’t do it with frontline players. We have to do it in numbers. We’ve got to be able to come in waves and guys are getting opportunities. So, I think those things make that a reality.”
Defensive back Jakobe Thomas
On how he’s felt through the first few days of camp:
“It’s fun. I’m having fun with football again. That was the biggest thing for me, so I’m just going in there every day trying to be the best version of myself. But I have a great coaching staff that makes football fun again. I feel like a kid in a candy shop again.”
On chemistry in the secondary:
“I think we’ve got a lot of growth to do still. I think our brotherhood outside of the room has helped us a lot going into camp. Just continue to grow and communicate and talk more and more each day. Every day on the grass counts for us, and we try to make every day the best day. So, it’s getting better.”
On sophomore defensive back Dylan Day:
“I think he’s grown a lot. He’s a really good football player. He is really smart. I think he’s trying to elevate his game in the meeting room and how he thinks about football. I think he’s got all the talent in the world. I think we’ve got a very, very talented group with all those young guys. Sometimes, I wish I was that talented. They’re very talented. Dylan’s one of those guys that’s going to be a household name.”
On defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman’s system:
“I like Coach Hetherman’s defense. We’re a very multiple defense. We do a lot of very different things, you know? It’s a fun defense to be in, for a safety especially.”
Defensive back Isaiah Taylor
On how the safeties have progressed early in camp:
“I think we look great right now. We’re just focused on getting better every single day. Also, we’re big on versatility, playing multiple positions, so we’re just focused on being able to play every role better.”
On the recovery and rehab process after dealing with two shoulder surgeries last season:
“We have a great training staff here and they’re great on keeping my head up and keeping me levelheaded, especially watching everyone succeed last year. I wanted to be a part of it, but you’ve got to be a big emotional support on the sidelines and that’s what I got to do.”
Defensive back Keionte Scott
On his adjustment period, after arriving on campus earlier this summer after transferring from Auburn:
“With my experience and years of playing, I feel like [there’s] kind of like some similarities in things. You’ve just got to learn new terminology and learn the differences in what the coach is trying to do and then trying to put my mind and my brain and my IQ into the game and just focus on what the [defensive coordinator] is trying to accomplish.”
On the defensive backs room:
“I think it’s good and just coming in at first, just trying to build relationships with everybody, it’s been really good. I feel like we’ve got a very versatile room, very open room, very competitive room. So, it’s been fun just being around everybody and just competing.”
On what it’s like to compete against the receivers in practice:
“I feel like that receiver room is going to be very, very exciting. I feel like all those guys, we all compete at the same time. I definitely want to give a shoutout to the young buck, Malachi Toney. Man, I feel like he’s going to do some very good things in his career. But, also, like I said, just the receiver room in general is just a very good group and I’m very excited for them.”
On playing special teams and being on returns:
“Growing up, always playing both sides of the ball so that’s just kind of like my time, I feel like, to go back to those days of having the ball in my hand. It’s very fun and then speaking on the punt return room, there’s a lot of competitive guys back there. A lot of receivers in that area. So, just competing every day with those guys. … At the end of the day, we want the best guy out there, so, just competing with all those guys. It’s been very fun.”
