- What used to be one of the surest bets in college football has become even more curious.
University of Miami coach Randy Shannon said Thursday that he'll play two freshmen quarterbacks in the 2008 season, choosing from Robert Marve, Jacory Harris and Cannon Smith. It marks the second consecutive year at UM that two quarterbacks are expected to play regularly.
"Whichever quarterback we name, we're going to play the other one," Shannon said at the Florida Sports Writers Association college football media days, without tipping his hand which two had the inside track. "We need depth at every position on the field, and that's the one position that we don't have depth at because they're young. They're good quarterbacks, but they're young."
Kyle Wright and Kirby Freeman split time at quarterback in 2007, when the Hurricanes finished 5-7 in Shannon's first year at UM. Wright graduated and Freeman transferred to Baylor, leaving the lane open for three players who haven't taken a college football snap.The last time UM had this much inexperience was in 1983 with Bernie Kosar, who that year led the Hurricanes to the national title.
Marve, a Parade All-American out of Plant High School in Tampa, redshirted last year and could be the favorite to start the season opener against Charleston Southern on Aug. 28.
The 6-foot-4 Harris, also a former Mr. Florida Football, led Miami Northwestern to a 30-0 record in two seasons as the starter and last year's mythical high school national title. He enrolled early and competed with Marve during the spring.
Smith was the nation's top prep school quarterback last year at Hargrave Military in Chatham, Va.
Shannon said he won't officially select a starter until the week of the Charleston Southern game, and that gives each player all of camp to emerge as a clear-cut favorite.
They will have the task of rebuilding a struggling passing game ? last year the Hurricanes ranked last in the Atlantic Coast Conference, averaging 169.5 yards. They had more interceptions (20) than touchdowns (16).
Shannon said he wants both freshmen to gain in-game experience in case there's an injury or other circumstances. Despite the competition, both have bonded during their short time together.
"You see one, you see the other," Shannon said. "They go out to eat together, they watch film together, they communicate together, they talk about plays on the field together. They always do everything together. And that's one thing I like about them. They know, no matter who's the guy, who is going to be the quarterback, they're going to be part of something special."
Kane's status
It's unclear whether incoming freshman linebacker Zach Kane will join the team. Last month he was arrested on aggravated battery charges for allegedly breaking a bottle over someone's head at a party. Shannon said UM is "going through the process of evaluating his legal issues."
Harris to miss season
Shannon confirmed defensive end Courtney Harris will miss the season after suffering a torn Achilles' tendon during summer workouts. ? Freshman defensive end Allen Bailey is expected to play in the opener despite being bothered by a pectoral injury.
University of Miami coach Randy Shannon said Thursday that he'll play two freshmen quarterbacks in the 2008 season, choosing from Robert Marve, Jacory Harris and Cannon Smith. It marks the second consecutive year at UM that two quarterbacks are expected to play regularly.
"Whichever quarterback we name, we're going to play the other one," Shannon said at the Florida Sports Writers Association college football media days, without tipping his hand which two had the inside track. "We need depth at every position on the field, and that's the one position that we don't have depth at because they're young. They're good quarterbacks, but they're young."
Kyle Wright and Kirby Freeman split time at quarterback in 2007, when the Hurricanes finished 5-7 in Shannon's first year at UM. Wright graduated and Freeman transferred to Baylor, leaving the lane open for three players who haven't taken a college football snap.The last time UM had this much inexperience was in 1983 with Bernie Kosar, who that year led the Hurricanes to the national title.
Marve, a Parade All-American out of Plant High School in Tampa, redshirted last year and could be the favorite to start the season opener against Charleston Southern on Aug. 28.
The 6-foot-4 Harris, also a former Mr. Florida Football, led Miami Northwestern to a 30-0 record in two seasons as the starter and last year's mythical high school national title. He enrolled early and competed with Marve during the spring.
Smith was the nation's top prep school quarterback last year at Hargrave Military in Chatham, Va.
Shannon said he won't officially select a starter until the week of the Charleston Southern game, and that gives each player all of camp to emerge as a clear-cut favorite.
They will have the task of rebuilding a struggling passing game ? last year the Hurricanes ranked last in the Atlantic Coast Conference, averaging 169.5 yards. They had more interceptions (20) than touchdowns (16).
Shannon said he wants both freshmen to gain in-game experience in case there's an injury or other circumstances. Despite the competition, both have bonded during their short time together.
"You see one, you see the other," Shannon said. "They go out to eat together, they watch film together, they communicate together, they talk about plays on the field together. They always do everything together. And that's one thing I like about them. They know, no matter who's the guy, who is going to be the quarterback, they're going to be part of something special."
Kane's status
It's unclear whether incoming freshman linebacker Zach Kane will join the team. Last month he was arrested on aggravated battery charges for allegedly breaking a bottle over someone's head at a party. Shannon said UM is "going through the process of evaluating his legal issues."
Harris to miss season
Shannon confirmed defensive end Courtney Harris will miss the season after suffering a torn Achilles' tendon during summer workouts. ? Freshman defensive end Allen Bailey is expected to play in the opener despite being bothered by a pectoral injury.
