Miami Football: 5 holiday wish list items for Hurricanes in 2019

2. A quarterback to lead the program

When Mark Richt arrived in Coral Gables he had multiple quarterbacks on the roster who would start for the ‘Canes. Richt inherited Brad Kaaya, the California native and former Detroit Lions quarterback. He also had Malik Rosier, a two-sport athlete that hadn’t played much college football prior to 2017. Rosier had played well in a win over Duke in 2015 while Kaaya was injured but it was obvious Kaaya would be the starter in 2016.

Kaaya had a successful 2016 campaign, although Miami had a four-game losing slump capped with a loss to 4-8 Notre Dame. After a bowl win over West Virginia Kaaya chose to move on to the NFL. Rosier took over the starting role which caused Jack Allison, a four-star quarterback, to transfer to West Virginia. Since then, Evan Shirreffs has transferred to UNC Charlotte and heading into 2019 Miami has three quarterbacks on the roster.

N’Kosi Perry was seen as ‘the future’ but he’s been slow to develop both mentally regarding picking up the playbook, and emotionally regarding his maturity and leadership. ‘Canes fans need someone to develop between three passers who have been suspended under the Richt regime. True freshman Jarren Williams just threatened to transfer but apparently was talked back down and Cade Weldon has yet to emerge from illness or suspension.

One of the three must mature and develop or Miami will hover around .500 in 2019.