True freshman QB Kaaya will start Miami's opener

[IE]

Miami will begin the 2014 season with a true freshman at quarterback.

Al Golden made it official Sunday, announcing that when the Hurricanes offense takes the field for the first time against Louisville it will be Brad Kaaya at quarterback. Kaaya beat out Jake Heaps for the job, who transferred to Miami from Kansas only a couple months ago. While Heaps has a lot more experience than Kaaya (he threw for 5,182 yards, 32 touchdowns and 27 interceptions in three seasons at Kansas), it seems Golden wants to go with the upside of the freshman.

Kaaya was one of the centerpieces of Miami's 2014 recruiting class, as the four-star pro-style quarterback out of California was ranked as the No. 7 pro-style quarterback in the 2014 recruiting class according to 247Sports.com's composite rankings.

It's an interesting choice for the Canes to go with Kaaya to open the season, though, as Miami has road games against both Louisville and Nebraska in September. So Kaaya is going to be on a steep learning curve early.

 

[Hashish]

I guess that means there's only one thing to say about Miami's season.


Bye, Felicia.




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[IE]

Louisville's Michael Dyer has thigh injury, could miss opener



Louisville already knows it will be without star wide receiver DeVante Parker for Monday night's ACC showdown with Miami, and the Cardinals still don't know whether senior tailback Michael Dyer will be able to play.

Dyer -- who was to share carries with senior Dominique Brown -- has a thigh contusion suffered in a scrimmage, and missed practice every day last week.

"He still has some swelling in there," Louisville coach Bobby Petrino said Monday. Petrino also said Dyer has not made the progress expected in the wake of the injury.

Dyer (5-9, 214) might be one of the three most-talented running backs in the ACC. He began his career at Auburn and was a key component on Auburn's 2010 national title team, rushing for 1,093 yards as a true freshman. But he has had numerous off-field issues, and his character and maturity have been questioned. At his best, he has great explosiveness and power. The question for everyone, coaches and scouts alike, is whether he will be fully invested this season.

He had a strong spring and also looked good early in camp, and the thought was Louisville's tailback tandem of Dyer and Brown had a chance to be the best in the ACC. Brown (6-2, 233) is the Cardinals' leading returning rusher, and he is a physical, downhill runner who also is an effective receiver. If Dyer can't go Monday night, Brown would take on a bigger role against the Hurricanes and true freshman L.J. Scott (6-0, 228) would become the No. 2 tailback. Sophomore Brandon Radcliff (5-9, 214), a Miami native, also could see some time in that scenario.