ACC Football 2018: Midseason awards and superlatives

Rookie of the year

There are a few really strong options for rookie of the year in the ACC. There’s freshman quarterback Sam Hartman at Wake Forest, and Syracuse defensive back Andre Cisco who has four interceptions. However, the name that stands out is Miami quarterback N’Kosi Perry.

Perry, a redshirt freshman from Ocala, FL, is tied for 2nd in the ACC with 11 touchdowns passes but has only started two games for the Hurricanes. Perry missed the LSU game in Week 1 while suspended and split duty in Week 2’s cakewalk win over Savannah State with Malik Rosier, Cade Weldon, and Jarren Williams.

When Perry took over against FIU the Hurricanes were struggling to move the football against a mediocre Group of 5 Panthers’ program at home. Perry has given a spark to the offense that Rosier never was able to, even with the leadership and toughness Rosier displayed in 2017. Down 27-7 against FSU and with the offense reeling, Mark Richt could’ve pulled the plug on his young passer and instead left him in. Perry responded with three second half touchdowns and a 28-27 come from behind victory for the Hurricanes.

With Miami sitting at 5-1 and in the driver’s seat to rematch Clemson for the ACC Championship, it seems like Richt has made the right move with his young passer. Coach Richt’s strict ways have taught Perry humility and discipline. Mark Richt believes in the theory that you sometimes have to lose one game to win ten more down the road and he has done so with Perry in 2018.