Dolphins preseason Bucs

Skylar Thompson forcing Dolphins to make hard choices

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Very few people knew the name Skylar Thompson when the Miami Dolphins drafted him in the 7th round of the 2022 NFL Draft. In fact, many were wondering why Miami would use a draft pick on a QB who many believed would be available as an undrafted free agent. Surely, there were other developmental players available the Dolphins could invest in during a win-now year.

However, from the moment he put on the uniform, Skylar Thompson was turning heads.

The 25-year old rookie out of Kansas State is showing extreme poise under pressure. Granted, he’s playing against backups the majority of the time, but his preseason performances are undeniably impressive. In just over five quarters of preseason play, Thompson has gone 29-of-38, with 347 yards and two touchdowns.

Even the team’s starting quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa, can’t help but be impressed by Thompson’s play so far.

“I’ve been extremely impressed with Skylar.” Tagovailoa said after Saturday’s game. “Skylar handled the Tampa game extremely well, and then now he comes in a little later into the third quarter, gets his group going, has — I don’t even know how many plays he had. He probably had a 10-play drive leading up to the score that we had our first score that we had here at Hard Rock for this 2022 season. But I think he has handled it extremely well. He gave us an opportunity to kick a field goal to win the game. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case, but I think he has done an extremely great job for us.”

To some draft pundits, Thompson’s success comes as no surprise. Matt Waldman – creator of the Rookie Scouting Portfolio since 2006, stated during his evaluation that Thompson has at least one trait that stands out above every other QB prospect in this draft.

“Thompson has the best pocket management of this class. He maneuvers from all types of pressure better than at least half of the NFL starters I’ve watched this year.  He also takes hellacious hits and maintains the equanimity to deliver an accurate ball.”

Perhaps what held Thompson back during the draft were the injuries he suffered at Kansas State. During his senior year in 2020, Thompson suffered an upper-body injury which limited him to only three starts. But in those games, he went 40-of-64, 62.5 completion percentage, 626 yards and four touchdowns.

He didn’t have much better luck in 2021, as he suffered a knee injury that allowed him only ten starts. However, he still put up decent numbers (162-of-233, 69.5%, 2,113 yards, 12 TDs, four INTs) and finished his career by winning Texas Bowl MVP honors in the team’s win over a depleted LSU roster, in which he went 21-of-28, 259 yards and 3 TDs.

Had he been healthy throughout his collegiate career, it’s safe to assume Thompson would not have fallen all the way to the 7th round. His lack of production at Kansas State was partly due to those injuries. It was also partly due to the demands of the scheme he was in. Nonetheless, coach Mike McDaniel saw something in Thompson that caused the Dolphins to deem it fit to use a draft pick on him.

So far, McDaniel appears justified in that assessment.

“He just gets better every day.” McDaniel said after the preseason loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. “This game the operation was better. There was one time that he kind of lost the play clock a little bit, and we had to burn a timeout, but more than anything, he really had command over everything. And he is starting to make plays that when one or two aren’t there, feeling the concept. And like that touchdown they threw to ‘Z. White’ on the left-hand side, that’s something that Skylar doesn’t make at the beginning of preseason. So, I’ve seen continued improvement, but he is very diligent about the process. He has got the makeup of what it takes to be an NFL quarterback. So I think all of his teammates can feel that too.”

Now given the opportunity to produce in a QB friendly offensive scheme, it’s clear Skylar Thompson’s production was not due to lack of skill. PrizePicks.com had Thompson’s O/U on passing yardage at 165.5 yards, assuming that he would play the entirety of the second half if not more.

In spite of entering the game with less than a minute left in the 3rd quarter, Thompson was nearly able to reach that prop. As he led the Dolphins down the field and nearly led what could have been the game-winning drive, Thompson went 9-of-10 for 129 yards and a touchdown, all in the span of barely over one quarter’s time.

Skylar Thompson wasn’t supposed to make things difficult. But he is. Now, the Miami Dolphins have a difficult choice to make. Do they run the risk of letting him test the waiver wire? There are surely QB-needy teams who would love to claim him as their own. Or, alternatively, do they roster three quarterbacks? That idea is unprecedented in today’s modern NFL, but the Dolphins may not have a choice.

Veteran backup QB Teddy Bridgewater has a contract worth up to $10 million. $6.5 million of it is guaranteed. The way it’s structured, as of this moment, releasing Bridgewater saves Miami a grand total of zero dollars in cap space. And it puts them in a deep hole financially as they would be forced to pay him that amount no matter what.

However, if the Dolphins can trade Bridgewater, that changes. Trading him saves Miami $4.5 million in cap space with only $2 million in dead cap. The hard part is finding a trade partner.

These are the questions Skylar Thompson is forcing the Dolphins to answer. His performance in preseason and in practice make it extremely difficult to justify waiving him. By the same token, keeping him instead of Bridgewater hurts the team financially. In 2023, Miami is going to need every penny they can save.

And if they simply keep all three QBs? Then another position that may need the extra depth will lose an important piece. The Dolphins are low on cornerbacks and good offensive line depth. Can they afford the extra roster spot? It’s up to Mike McDaniel to weigh the pros and cons and make that choice.

As for Skylar Thompson himself, he’s determined not to let the situation get to him as the preseason rapidly approaches its end.

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“That decision is out of my control.” He said. “All I can do is focus on being the best teammate that I can possibly be every day, continue to grow and try to learn and get better. That’s really all I’m focused on right now, and everything else I know will take care of itself whichever way that may fold. This is out of my hands. I’m just here to be a good teammate – help the team the most whichever way I can.”

Luis Sung has covered the Miami Dolphins for numerous outlets such as Dolphins Wire for eight years. Follow him on Twitter: @LuisDSung

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Top 8 College Football Teams to Bet on This Season

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The 2022 college football season will kick off on Saturday, August 27, 2022, and punters can now place wagers on the team they are rooting to win. However, before we start betting on competitions for 12 hours every Saturday, there are also some future bets with a lot of worth.

 

You’re probably interested in which college football team seems to have the best shot at winning the national championship as a bookmaker. Watch the top eight football teams bet on during the NCAAF 2022 season.

 

Oklahoma State

Countless individuals are looking forward to more Oklahoma State in 2022 because Spencer Sander and the majority of their starters on offense are returning. And, even though the team’s roster was destroyed by players who left for the NFL, current first-year coach Brent Venables has performed an outstanding job of reloading via the transfer portal.

 

As a result, Coldon, a Wyoming transfer, and Morrison, a North Carolina transfer, were ideal secondary additions. So remember to keep your eyes on them and to research them before anything else thoroughly.

 

Michigan

Michigan was among the major highlights of the 2021 season, having defeated Ohio State for the first time since 2011. Furthermore, the defending Big Ten champion, Michigan, is considered one of the top picks at +800 odds.

 

And even after losing seven starting players to the NFL, the Wolverines came back with a powerful offense but must fill several gaps on defense. As such, even though Michigan is one of the better bets on the college football betting board, ensure that you thoroughly research them and other competing teams.

 

Texas A&M

The Aggies hope to stop eighty-three years of dry spell without needing a national championship in 2022. Also, Haynes King’s competitive quarterback rivalry with transfer Max Johnson is vital.

 

Furthermore, the Texas A&M Aggies recruited the top class in 2022 and have intense talent on both sides of the field, along with running back Devon Achen. Therefore, everything will all ultimately boils down to who the number one quarterback is and whether they can indeed take advantage of the opportunity.

 

USC

Lincoln Riley’s hype at USC is likely justified based on his stellar record at Oklahoma, particularly with Caleb Williams as his quarterback for the upcoming two seasons. And, with all the talent gathered, it will definitely be a very great offense.

 

Furthermore, Riley is well-known for operating a solid defense because he is one of the competition’s most prominent offensive minds. And bringing back Williams at quarterback, the nation’s top receiver from last season, two top-level running backs, and two other powerful wideouts will only end up making their offensive line more challenging.

 

Kansas State

For the year 2022, the Big 12 appears to be fully open, with numerous teams capable of winning the conference. The Wildcats return 14 starting players from last season’s 8-5 squad, which includes the ten All-Conference performers.

 

In other words, Kansas State comes back with the most high performance on both sides of the field among all the Big 12 teams in the year 2022. The Kansas State team lost Skylar Thompson for the quarterback position, but they were able to replace him with Adrian Martinez, a transfer from the Nebraska team.

 

Ohio State

After successfully completing first in total offense a year ago, no one has reason to doubt Ohio State’s capability to move the ball. However, following his 347 passing yards in the Rose Bowl, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, receiver, will emerge as one of the season’s hottest names.

 

In addition, having Jim Knowles, who led Oklahoma’s defensive line to rank third last season, presently makes Ohio State an assertive, defensive back-led approach that can strike opposing players with diverse formations and different levels of coverage. Lastly, Cameron Brown and Denzel Burke will also serve as cornerbacks until safety Josh Proctor recuperates from his injury.

 

Alabama

Numerous players from the prior season return for Alabama. Moreover, coach Nick Saban also has managed to bring in a few more fresh players through the transfer portal.

 

Even though Alabama lost some key players during the offseason, some have decided to return, including Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young. Also, Alabama is among the most highly touted teams for bettors to back, so make sure to research their NCAAF odds properly before placing bets on them.

 

Georgia

Last year, the Georgia Bulldogs won the national championship game, having beaten Alabama 33-18. So unless they stay true to their game strategy and make as few changes as possible, they have a solid chance of repeating the upcoming season.

 

Georgia’s roster is looking strong, with five five-star draftees, including defensive lineman Mykel Williams and safety Malaki Starks. Furthermore, with quarterback Stetson Bennett’s eligibility set to expire at the end of the present season, the senior will also be aiming to win back-to-back championships.

 

Final Thoughts

The countdown to the beginning of another finals series of college football has officially started, and every week draws us nearer to the start of another season, so it’s time to begin looking forward with the NCAAF national championship odds. And fingers crossed, the above list of top eight eNCAAF teams with favorable odds will assist you in deciding which team to wager on.

 

Dolphins preseason Bucs

5 Takeaways from Dolphins Preseason Win vs Bucs

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The Miami Dolphins began the Mike McDaniel era with a 26-24 preseason victory in Tampa Bay. The franchise’s 11th head coach (14th if you count interims) hopes to be the fifth new head man to lead Miami to the postseason in his first year with the club. Saturday night’s preseason contest against the Bucs lacked most of the top names on either side, but the game still provided plenty of excitement.

Here’s a look at five takeaways from the Dolphins preseason win over the Buccaneers.

Skylar Thompson Makes His Roster Case for Dolphins in Preseason Win Over the Bucs

McDaniel and the coaching staff opted to sit starter Tua Tagovailoa for the Dolphins preseason opener against the Bucs. Presumed backup Teddy Bridgewater dressed for the game, but did not see the field either. That left the quarterbacking duties to Miami’s seventh round pick from the 2022 NFL Draft, Skylar Thompson.

The former Kansas State Wildcat impressed in his debut, completing 20-of-28 passes for 218 yards and one touchdown. Thompson also rushed for 25 yards on three carries. He looked poised in the pocket and largely avoided the big mistakes throughout the evening.

One of the big questions entering the season is whether Miami will roster three quarterbacks this year.

Thompson may force the Dolphins hand in that regard following his performance in this preseason win over the Bucs. Miami probably shouldn’t chance Thompson potentially getting poached from the practice squad, a la Reid Sinnett last year. He may have earned his roster spot.

Lynn Bowden Looks Like a Valuable Piece at WR

Of all the Dolphins receivers to play in this contest, and not all of them did, Lynn Bowden Jr. looked like the player who took the most advantage of his playing time on Saturday. The Dolphins deployed Bowden in several roles during their preseason win over the Bucs, including eight offensive snaps at receiver as well as several opportunities on special teams. And he made the most of his offensive snaps.

Bowden led the Dolphins in receiving yards (55) and targets (4) on Saturday, hauling in the lone offensive touchdown. He flashed his potential on the outside with his double move against a helpless Bucs corner on the 22-yard TD catch. He also hauled in a 29-yard pass that could’ve also been a touchdown had Thompson hit him in stride.

Bowden’s versatility and explosiveness seems to have given him the edge in this training camp battle at wide receiver. Although Miami still sports a number of talented receivers on the roster, Bowden’s performance during the Dolphins preseason win over the Bucs may have solidified his hold on a 53-man roster spot.

Preston Williams did not see a target in his 13 offensive snaps on Saturday and managed just 13 yards on two punt return attempts. Mohamed Sanu, meanwhile, caught all three of his targets and finished with 39 yards.

Trill Williams’ Injured Leaves 4th Corner Spot Open

Another roster battle worth monitoring on Saturday was that of the fourth cornerback position. With the team’s top three spots accounted for with Xavien Howard, Byron Jones, and Nik Needham, players like Trill Williams and Noah Igbinoghene stood as the most likely candidates to fill that role.

But while Williams seemed to have the edge with his impressive showing at camp, the young cornerback suffered a season-ending knee injury late in the Dolphins preseason win over the Bucs.

Williams’ injury leaves the fourth cornerback spot wide open for the remainder of camp. The top options to fill that role currently on the roster include Igbinoghene, who’s struggled at times in camp, and journeyman Keion Crossen, who’s been primarily as a special teamer in his career.

Elijah Campbell may get a look considering his solid play on Saturday. 

Undrafted rookie free agent Kader Kohou has also turned heads in camp, though he didn’t play on Saturday due to an injury. The Dolphins could look to the free agent market at this point, or wait until later in training camp after a round of league cuts, to fill this position.

Benito Jones Could Fill Defensive Line Depth

The Dolphins cut Adam Butler earlier this offseason following a failed physical by the defensive lineman. Butler provided the Dolphins a solid rotational player along the defensive line, so losing him creates an opening for a young player moving forward. The first one that flashed as a potential replacement was Benito Jones.

Jones signed with the Dolphins as an undrafted free agent following his four-year career at Ole Miss. He only played in six games as a rookie in 2020, making one tackle. Jones has spent the majority of his NFL career on Miami’s practice squad, but flashed his potential as a run stuffer in the Dolphins preseason win over the Bucs.

Jones registered three run stops in his 21 defensive snaps. He was in on five total tackles, including one tackle-for-loss. He’s a big-bodied defensive tackle who can thrive in Josh Boyer’s defense given the opportunity.

Offensive Line Depth Still a Question Mark

The Dolphins sat their top two free agent additions along the offensive line during this preseason win over the Bucs. Both Terron Armstead and Conner Williams enjoyed a night off. The three projected o-line starters who did play against Tampa Bay, Robert Hunt, Liam Eichenberg and Austin Jackson, all played through the first two offensive series (11 snaps).

2021 seventh-round pick Larnel Coleman started at left tackle and played 42 of Miami’s 45 offensive snaps. He surrendered a critical sack on third-and-goal on the Dolphins’ first drive, which led to a field goal, and struggled at times afterwards. His fellow tackle, Kion Smith, also surrendered a sack. Smith played on 34 of Miami’s 45 snaps.

Neither Coleman nor Smith flashed in their time on the field and the offensive line as a whole failed to open running lanes throughout the night. Miami’s other tackle on the roster, Greg Little, was ruled out prior to kickoff but could get a chance to prove his worth at some point this preseason. Otherwise, the Dolphins may opt to keep additional interior lineman, since Eichenberg can slide over if need be.

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More on the Dolphins Preseason Win Over the Bucs

For more on this Dolphins preseason win, check out the episode of The Final Yard postgame show on the 5 Reasons YouTube channel!

RELATED: 5 Breakout Candidates for the Miami Dolphins in 2022

How to Make an American Football Game More Exciting

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The game of American football is spreading around the world in a big way, with more people both watching and playing the game in Europe, Japan, Mexico, and with China leading the way. As the game continues to spread on the internet and fields around the globe, it is useful to be able to both enjoy it and make it increasingly fun for those who may be new to the game. It is one of the longest action sports games to watch and with that in mind, here are a few tips to make a game of American football more exciting.

Choose a Side

Whether you’re watching the game at home or going to the game itself, you simply need to select a side to back and support. ‘Having a horse in the race’ so to speak, is the best means of adding excitement. Once you have a team that you follow and has the best 4-3 defense, then you will be guaranteed hours of excitement as the fortunes of the team become ever more important and meaningful to you. If you’re not sure of the teams playing, then do some preparatory reading or choose the team associated with your home city or State. Once you have a team that you follow and whose football you learn to enjoy, then you will be guaranteed hours of excitement as the fortunes of the team become ever more important and meaningful to you.

Make a Few Bets

There are so many different aspects of the game that you can bet on and as such you should find the best nfl betting sites that offer all the various options. Keep the bets simple until you have a good grasp of what it is you’re trying to do and then have some fun with it. From the most tackles made to the longest kick at goal, the game is full of betting options, and you’ll be surprised at how this will add layers of excitement. So, if you know the rules and the players, then you’ll be able to make informed decisions, in terms of what and who to bet on.

Watch It on Several Different Channels

This will allow you to access various commentaries. This adds something different to the game as you can switch between radio and television commentary as well as between commentators with different and opposing views on the game.

Watch It on Social Media

There are now so many social forums and platforms that are dedicated to football that you will be able to engage and interact with any number of these while you also watch the game. The in-game banter and chat are always exciting and will go a long way to provide some great insights into the game and its players. Most of these platforms are linked to, or have live streams of the games and social media examples such as Tik Tok have become a great way to introduce NFL to younger viewers.

American football is a fast-paced and exciting game, and the tips in this article will only serve to make it more exciting and interactive. Implement some of these tips and you are sure to have fun watching what is one of the greatest games of all time.

Paradise Trippies NFT Slot Game Review

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If you’ve been wondering how to play the newest crypto-slot game, read on. This game is easy to play, offers good payouts, and runs well on most platforms like https://sportsbet.io/casino/play/video-slots/nft-paradise-trippies . 

In this review, we’ll look at what makes this game so special. Listed below are some of the things you should know about Paradise Trippies NFT slot game.

Paradise Trippies NFT slot game is a crypto-slot game

You might be wondering what makes NFTs unique in the crypto-slot world. Well, they are digital assets that are not traded like traditional currency. The unique properties of NFTs can increase in value over time. The first NFT slot game at Bitcasino sold 10,000 units in 13 days. Hence, there’s a lot of potential in NFT slot games.

The online casino gaming industry has close ties with the crypto world. This new initiative between Bitcasino and Paradise Trippies will see the launch of an exclusive NFT slot game. In addition, it will feature NFT artwork from the project, which contains ten thousand non-fungible tokens that will likely rise in value in the future. It’s a win-win situation for everyone involved in the venture.

The Paradise Trippies NFT slot offers players an opportunity to win prizes in cash and NFTs. Winning combinations are determined by the number of matching NFT symbols. Symbols in a winning combination must appear on all three reels, starting from the leftmost reel. If all of these conditions are met, players are eligible for a cash prize. Paradise Trippies NFT slot game will prove to be an excellent addition to the crypto-powered casino industry.

It runs well on most platforms

Caleta Gaming, the developer of the popular online casino games, has partnered with the creators of the Paradise Trippies NFT slot machine to release an exclusive online version of the game. This new game will feature NFT technology and reward players with exclusive NFT art pieces. These pieces may eventually increase in value. In addition to rewarding players with exclusive NFT art pieces, the game also offers a variety of additional features, including free spins and bonus rounds.

Aside from the game’s great design and smooth gameplay, the NFTs are extremely valuable. In the Paradise Trippies NFT slot game, players can win cash prizes by landing on the Scatter symbol. The symbols can be used as coins and multipliers for winnings. In addition to being free to play, players can collect as many as 100 NFTs at one time. The good news is that the game runs well on most platforms.

It has good payouts

The Paradise Trippies NFT slot is a video slot with a good RTP and several special features. It features a 1,000-coin jackpot, Wild Events, and Mega Trip Bonus. Stakes range from $0.50 to $100. The highest paying symbol is the Dragon, which pays from $50 to $1,000 when three appear on the reels. The game also includes a bonus round called ‘Mega Trip’, which allows players to win even more Bitcoins.

Players can buy NFTs through a range of different platforms. Unlike cryptocurrency, NFTs are unique, with only one copy of each unit in the network. This scarcity provides value. Players can buy the Paradise Trippies NFT collection on the OpenSea marketplace. Once purchased, NFTs will be deposited into their wallet. While there are other types of crypto-tokens available on the market, only a few are considered reliable and secure.

It is easy to understand

The best thing about Paradise Trippies NFT slot is that it’s easy to learn how to play and has an intuitive layout. You only need to make a wager and hit the start button. The reels will spin a few seconds later. Keep trying until you hit a winning pattern. And if you’re new to online slots, you can try playing for free to find out what they are.

This online slot game has a classic layout and eight regular symbols, with two types of wild symbols. It’s designed with an easy-to-understand interface and offers a high hit rate. The NFT reward is one of the top prizes, worth hundreds of Ethereum on the OpenSea marketplace. The game also has a great jackpot that’s worth up to 10 million NFT.

 

5 Takeaways from Miami Dolphins Training Camp Day 9

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1: Stars of the Day

 

Jaylen Waddle seemed to be everywhere on the field today. Waddle caught multiple mid-range throws but the highlight was when Tagovailoa was able to feed waddle a 25-yard strike in stride as waddle immediately bursted down field finished the play in the end-zone. Fourth-round pick Erik Ezukanma caught a beautiful touchdown as quarterback Skyler Thompson rolled out and delivered a bomb. Ezukanma’s consistent performance in camp has been impressive and is making a case for the 53-man roster. 

 

2: Training Camp Vibes at an All-Time High

 

Defensive End Ben Stille was the player hyping the fans up to start practice by doing the “Worm” dance.

 

 

Stille is an undrafted free agent from Nebraska who is also having a relatively impressive camp. Defensive tackle Christain Wilkins later, jokingly told us that Stille “stole” and “plagiarized” the move from him. 

 

About midway through camp, the quarterbacks lined up near the 50-yard line and started launching balls aiming for a net sitting near the back of the endzone. Each time a QB “scored,” the crowd would subsequently erupt in cheers, especially when Tua did so (twice).

 

 

3: The Front 4

 

The defensive line has no doubt been a force to be reckoned with all throughout camp, and that didn’t stop today. Our own “Three Yards Per Carrry” cited Emmanuel Ogbah as practice player of the day but it was also Christian Wilkins, Jaelan Phillips and Zach Sieler who continue to burden the offensive line. 

 

4: Trill Williams

 

Defensive back Trill Wiliams has been showing his diverse set of skills throughout the week. You usually see WR Tyreek Hill burn every corner in the book, but Williams was able to keep up with him today. Williams had a great coverage on a deep ball from Bridgewater to Hill and was able to close the window and force the incompletion. Then shortly after, Williams shut down a quick hitter to Hill. 

 

5: Did Noah Igbinoghene get an INT?

 

During one of the plays on 11-11, Igbinoghene was able to jump a route on a telegraphed throw from Tagovailoa. There was an immense debate during some of the conversations had today abot whether Igbo indeed came down with the football. Nevertheless, a good sign from Igbinoghene as he had one of his better days at camp. 

 

Miami Hurricanes: Mario Cristobal’s recruiting vision crystal clear

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There were many strong takeaways from Miami Hurricanes media day on Tuesday. One of the things that I really was intrigued by was Mario Cristobal’s view on recruiting.

It has been a big storyline ever since this entire coaching staff got to Coral Gables. Miami did a good job of getting impact talent towards the end of the 2022 class. They carried that momentum over to the 2023 group, which currently ranks ninth overall in the country per the 247Sports Team Rankings.

The 2023 class has one five-star recruit and eight four-star recruits. It’s safe to say that this staff has been working hard on the recruiting trail. Nevertheless, Cristobal is not satisfied with the job the program has done so far in the recruiting department. He expanded upon that idea on Tuesday per Manny Navarro of The Athletic.

The Miami Hurricanes vision is clear

The new coaching staff hasn’t had a ton of time to build relationships. Nevertheless, the body of work that they have put together so far in the 2023 class alone speaks volumes. When you look at the level of talent that’s committed to Miami, there are some premier players there.

Cristobal’s quote indicates a clear vision for Miami Hurricanes recruiting. If this is an incomplete process, then it’s going to be exciting to see the finished product. That 18-24 month timeline should yield fantastic results with this coaching staff. The amount of connections that this staff has, both in Florida and across the country, should definitely help make this next year to two years very fruitful.

We have seen what the staff has done in a short amount of time. They should be able to put the program in a spot where they can have top-five recruiting classes every year. it starts in the state of Florida, and Cristobal in particular knows it well.

The blueprint for consistent, successful recruiting is being set, There is a clear vision here for the goals the coaching staff wants to accomplish on the recruiting trail. This should give Miami Hurricanes fans a reason to be excited, because this staff not only knows how to recruit, but develop as well.

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Miami Hurricanes: Mario Cristobal heaps praise on John Campbell Jr.

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The Miami Hurricanes held media day on Tuesday and there certainly were some notable quotes from head coach Mario Cristobal. He gave high praise to offensive lineman John Campbell Jr.

Campbell is coming off a rough 2021 campaign that saw him in recovery mode following a surgery on his leg. He did see action in the previous season, playing in seven games in 2020. He made four starts that season.  He also was able to see the field and 11 games in his redshirt freshman season of 2019 and he gave Miami Hurricanes fans a little bit of a taste in regards to what he could do.

The redshirt junior could have a chance to make an impact on offensive line now that he is fully healthy. He also has a chance to work with offensive line coach Alex Mirabal, something that should help him in his development. The potential is undoubtedly there, it’s now is going to be about him getting back to that level following his injury.

In speaking with the media on Tuesday, Cristobal gave him high praise, as transcribed by Marcus Benjamin of Rivals.com.

It’s very telling that Cristobal holds Campbell in high regard. Miami should have a solid group of returners on the line, but depth is also extremely important. Having a player like Campbell really emerge again is a welcome sign. For one thing, it means he is healthy. On top of his health, he is also to get a chance to work with a coach like Mirabal. Health and top-tier coaching should give him a bit of a fresh start.

It will be intriguing to see where he falls in the offensive lineman equation. As long as he has a solid camp, I feel like he will be able to make some noise in the fall. He has the experience, now it’s going to be more about seeing what he can do under a new coaching staff.

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Miami Hurricanes

Miami Hurricanes: Abram Murray gives program piece of mind at kicker

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The Miami Hurricanes were able to get a commitment for the 2024 class as Abram Murray committed to the program on Sunday night.

He is the top kicker in the class of 2024 according to Kohl’s Kicking Camps. He most recently took an unofficial visit to Miami on June 11, and the program offered him that same day.

What can he bring to Miami Hurricanes?

This is a massive get for the Miami Hurricanes as it helps solidify the kicking possession. This adds depth to the kicking position, with Andres Borregales holding it down at the position right now. Having Borregales in the fold assures that Miami will have a strong kicking game for the foreseeable future.

Murray has a very strong leg. He is able to use his strength and accuracy to make the most out of his kicks. He has a solid follow-through and plants his legs well when kicking, which allows him to have a solid base. Murray is a complete player in terms of his skill set, and he will be a nice option once Borregales leaves. Murray is certainly no slouch, and is worthy of his ranking as one of the best kickers in his class.

This is the second commitment for Miami in what is a developing but promising 2024 recruiting class. He is the second commitment, along with cornerback Antoine Jackson. We have seen the work Miami has done in the 2023 class. I’m curious as to what kind of work they will get done for 2024.

Special teams is a huge component of the game. I personally would argue that it’s often overlooked. Getting a guy like Murray to come to the program is massive. Stability at a position like kicker is hard to find. Finding a good college football kicker is also extremely difficult. Now, Miami has has two, with Murray waiting in the wings.  It’s all about depth, and Miami is building it at as many positions as possible.

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2023 NFL Draft Quarterback Watchlist

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Summer scouting season is underway and it kicks off with the 2023 quarterback class. Here is my 2023 NFL Draft quarterback watchlist.

Top 5 2023 quarterback watchlist

Bryce Young

Alabama’s Bryce Young is coming off a heisman season and is looking to build off that as he’s regarded as one of the best quarterbacks in the nation at making throws out of the pocket and out of structure. 

Although, his draft stock may be hurt by his slight frame. Young looks more like a slot receiver compared to what a franchise quarterback is billed at.

Young led the Crimson Tide to a win in the SEC Championship game, becoming the only quarterback to beat the vaunted Georgia defense last season. In that game he was 26 of 44 passes for 421 yards and three touchdowns. 

While the Crimson Tide ended up losing in the title game in the rematch against Georgia, Young showed throughout the season that he could play the position at a high level.

In the play above you see Young’s quick feet moving him to allow him a clean pocket. He throws a rope in-between two defenders outside the hash marks. 

His anticipation and touch at this level makes him one of the top quarterbacks in the nation and number one in this 2023 quarterback watchlist.

C.J. Stroud

Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud is one of the most pro-ready quarterbacks in this class. He completed 72% of his passes in 2022. Stroud will look to build off what he did in the rose bowl game against Utah.

Stroud is accurate, aggressive, willing to attack the middle of the field, and reads the field extremely well as a passer.

Pre-snap, Utah show single-high coverage in the defensive backfield. However, the post-snap reality does not match the pre-snap expectations. The Utes defense converts into a two-deep shell.

Stroud, after opening to the left side of the field, reads the rotation and throws to the post route from Jaxon Smith-Njigba.

He’s a smart signal-caller who is a natural leader with great instincts and the ability to quickly cycle through his reads. Which makes him the second quarterback on my 2023 quarterback watchlist.

Tyler Van Dyke

There is excitement in the area around the Miami Hurricanes this season, mainly in part to new head coach Mario Cristobal. Tyler Van Dyke’s play last season is another big reason for that excitement.

In 2021 as a sophomore he played in 10 games as he passed for 2918 yards on 326 attempts with a completion percentage of 62 for an average of 9.0 yards per pass, with 25 TDs, while also taking 23 sacks, and putting up a QB rating of 108.9. After the first year as starting quarterback, he earned ACC Rookie of the Year and ACC Offensive Rookie of the Year honors.

This touchdown early in that contest is a good example of how well Van Dyke sees the field and throws with anticipation. He hits the post route for a touchdown on a switch concept, letting the ball fly as the receiver gets into his break.

Van Dyke is my third ranked prospect in this 2023 quarterback watchlist because of his processing skills. Also, he uses good technique, squaring his shoulders to the target and stepping into his throws

Will Levis

Kentucky’s Will Levis came from nowhere last year and is now looked at as a legitimate first-round talent. He has great physical gifts as well as good accuracy and powerful quick release as well a natural feel for the game

Levis offers a nice blend of size, arm strength and toughness. In the pocket, he has a good feel to climb and avoid pressure — and also possesses enough athleticism to extend plays with his legs.

If he can work on ball placement issues, and lower-body inconsistencies with his mechanics, he’ll live up to the hype.

The Wildcat product has an elite quick-release coupled with fast processing skills which makes him an ideal for a condensed formation offense, similar to the likes of the Rams.

Tanner McKee

In his first year starting at Stanford, Tanner McKee showcased a handful of NFL Traits. He has elite size for the position – stands 6-6 and weighs 230lbs and has the arm strength to match.

The Cardinals product accuracy is decent but his ball placement is one of his best traits overall. McKee shows excellent accuracy on short timing routes to backs and receivers. Slightly, he places the ball in front of receiver to lead them to potential yardage after the catch.

This completion against Oregon highlights two of his strengths: Aggression and ball placement. McKee is not afraid of challenging small throwing windows, and has no fear throwing over the middle. Couple that with accuracy, and McKee can have a solid foundation for the NFL.

He’s an intriguing pro prospect due to his obvious tangibles. McKee looks the part possessing prototypical drop-back passer qualities, is a quick decision-maker, and decent accuracy. He can easily transition into a pro-style offense which makes him the fifth prospect on the 2023 quarterback watchlist.

Honorable Mentions:

Phil Jurkovec-Boston College, Spencer Rattler- South Carolina, Hendon Hooker-Tennessee, Anthony Richardson-Florida, Jake Haener-Fresno State.

 

***This article was originally published on the ATB Network by Hussam Patel***

 

Hussam Patel is a Miami Dolphins contributor and Lead NFL Draft analyst at Five Reasons Sports Network, Director of Scouting at PhinManiacs and Editor at Dolphins ATB. Follow him on Twitter at @HussamPatel

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