“4 Star Safety Jaquan Johnson A Cane”

(via @AuthenticMade_Q)

Jaquan Johnson’s words via twitter last night “Committed to the University Of Miami! Thank the Man above for the Opportunity. #ThankYou” sent the Miami based twitter into a frenzy. Before I go any further take a look at just why his commitment shook up social media last night below …
Jaquan Johnson Junior Season Highlights via @Youtube

“This type of player comes around every so often” coach Johnson of Killian high school has stated in speaking about his returning senior safety. The 4 star recruit has been nominated All Dade County all 3 of his seasons played and would become the first South Florida player to ever do so with a 4th nomination after this seasons end.

The younger cousin of Lamar Miller also former Killian & University of Miami graduate is keeping it in the family. Lamar also co-signed the commitment last night via twitter ..

(via @millertime_6)

At 5’11 190 pounds with football instincts way past his years, Johnson looks to come in as in impact player immediately. Many around the Miami, Fl area speak on Johnson to be the best all around player in Dade County and if you follow South Florida HS football you know how huge that is.

Last season as a Junior he recorded 75 tackles, 5 fumble recoveries, 4 forced fumbles, and 1 int. Offensively he scored 3 receiving TDs.

(via @TheOpening2014)

With the UM commitment Johnson passed on rival schools FSU and UF. South Carolina and Louisville were also schools said to be in the mix and were passed up on.

Al Golden has been setting a statement with his early recruitment of the class of 2015. That message stating South Florida belongs to the U.

“The Duke” speaks.. Two-a-day Recap

RB Duke Johnson (via @mattyports)

The Duke of Coral Gables, Randy “Duke” Johnson has had an amazing preseason camp so far. Coming off a season ending injury where he broke his ankle in the loss to Florida State , he has come into camp with a chip on his shoulder.

The junior RB looks like a new and improved machine after adding 10-15 pounds on for the pounding he’s expecting this season. Even with the added weight he’s making cuts and exploding out of them faster then ever before impressing his teammates and coaching staff.

After the first practice this morning Duke was reported stating, “I think the first week was a success. Offense and defense came out here and gave it our all. We’ve still been installing, bringing new guys along, having them get to the playbook like we are.”

In the same q&a he spoke on his recovery. “Everything is going the way I planned. The way I trained in the summer, everything is coming together now in camp. First week down, and a couple more to go.”

RB Joseph Yearby | Below Left To Right, RB’s Duke Johnson, J. Yearby, Gus Edwards (via @mattyports)

As for one half of the dynamic freshman duo of Joseph Yearby and Trayone Gray, Yearby ended the first morning session off roughly. Reports say he limped off of the field and ended his practice with an ice pack attached to his lower leg.

Yearby suffered an lower left fibula fracture in a high school playoff game last December. That injury also ended his season and he has spent the entire spring and early summer to recover.
Turning a bad situation into good, that gave him the chance to bond with fellow RB Johnson as he mentored him the ropes of a college athlete. Duke has mentioned how he already sees the maturity and growth in the young running back.

The good news was that Yearby returned to practice for the second session of practice and reportedly looked fine. Coach Al Golden spoke about his freshman running back and more in the link below..
Al Golden Canes Camp Day 7 (via @CanesFootball)

QB’s Brad Kaaya, Jake Heaps (via @mattyports)

The quarterback position is in a positive crisis if there was ever such thing, with two QB’s standing out each and every day. Jake Heaps the 5th year senior transfer has been praised by Al Golden for his leadership and natural poise in the pocket. Golden has mentioned that he would like freshman Brad Kaaya to be more vocal and take on the same leadership traits that Heaps has shown.

With that being said during a q&a after practice canes reporter @mattyports asked Golden ..

Golden believes this is still an open race , as reported before the coaching staff will narrow the race into a two QB competition. The coaching staff have been using a grading scale with the QB’s , the QB with the highest grade is who they want to be their starter when making their decision.

WR Phillip Dorsett (via @CanesFootball)

There were changes to the defensive an offensive leaders on today’s practice. Linebacker Darrion Owens, NT Earl Moore, and DE Trent Harris all lost their black jerseys. DT Calvin Heurtelou , and linebacker Thurston Ambrister earned black jerseys.

On the offensive side TE Standish Dobard earned an orange jersey as he replaced TE Beau Sandland. Tomorrow will be a day off as the team prepares for the first team scrimmage on Wednesday.

“Kevin Olsen: Next Man Up”

The news to Ryan Williams injury after the spring game last week was disappointing to the entire Hurricanes community to say the least. But does that mean as a team we decide to roll over and give the season away ? I believe Kevin Olsen a redshirt freshman’s answer to that question would be no way!

Brother of Greg Olsen tight end for the Carolina Panthers and former Hurricane, Kevin Olsen has football and a high competitive spirit in his blood. Before this injury to Williams, Olsen was the solid #2 QB but impressing coaches and fans enough for some to start up a Olsen/Williams argument. Olsen out of everyone may feel the worst about the injury to Williams who he not only competed with but receive an abundance of guidance and help from.

Olsen has shown major flashes this spring to be a good starting QB with the opportunities he’s received. A former 4 star recruit and ex Under Armour all star game player, Olsen has played against high level competition. It will be interesting to see how he does in the spring game and controlling the recent pressure of being thrown into the #1 position so swiftly. With a talented offensive cast around him it seems Olsen will play a role to jus make the open read and I am certain OC James Coley and HC Al Golden will put emphasis on that.

In other good news Olsen might be getting his two electric RB’s back a little earlier than expected. Duke Johnson and Joseph Yearby have both loss their non contact jerseys and will now participate in limited action for the rest of spring. Bringing them back is important but cautiously is the correct approach.

“Remembering JoJo Nicolas”

JoJo Nicholas ex Miami Hurricane Safety passed away February 26, 2014 around 5pm due to life threatening injuries from a car crash the day before. The entire Hurricanes family mourns the loss of Jojo, as does his immediate family and long time girlfriend who happened to be on a phone call with Jojo at the time of impact.

He will be loved and truly missed as he was a role model and valued member of the Miami community. Nicolas played for the Hurricanes from 2007-11 and started safety in his senior season logging 66 tackles and 2 interceptions. Rest in peace Jojo Nicholas!