Breaking down some depth charts positions for the Miami Hurricanes entering spring football
The Miami Hurricanes opened spring practices this week a few months after playing for the national championship.
This is the time when position battles heat up before it gets real once fall practice starts in early August. It's the time of year for everyone to release their "Too Early" depth charts. Roundtable Sports contributor and host of the Come On Now podcast Rudy Rodriguez-Chomat recently broke down the roster.
First up, let's discuss the quarterback position, where there is no competition. The Hurricanes are going with high-profile Duke Blue Devils transfer Darian Mensah. Last year he threw for 3,973 yards with 34 touchdowns and just six interceptions while playing for former UM coach Manny Diaz.
While Mensah drew most of his notoriety for receiving a huge NIL deal, he has proven he is worth the price of admission. Duke is coming off winning the Atlantic Coast Conference championship game.
"Obviously, Darian Mensah is QB No. 1," Rodriguez-Chomat said. "There's not going to be a competition. He is the quarterback. The competition will come from the play of Luke Nickel and Dareon Coleman."
Nickel threw just one pass last season because the `Canes were set with Carson Beck under center. Nickel was a four-star recruit in high school, so he has talent. Coleman, who is from up the road in Orlando, is entering his freshman season. He probably needs a bit of time to develop, so don't expect him to receive much playing time.
Then again, anything is possible.
"I think Luke Nickel will end up being the backup quarterback and they'll probably want to potentially redshirt Dereon Coleman," Rodriguez-Chomat said. "Unless they have to play him because of an injury, that would make the most sense to me but you never know. You could see them both get some action. In the spring, if Dereon Coleman blows their socks off, he could very well be the backup."
Check back later this week and next week for more spring position battles and updates. Next up: Wide receivers, which is perhaps UM's best group and ranks among the top in the nation.
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Shandel Richardson is the publisher of MiamiRoundtable. He can be reached at shandelrich@gmail.com