After three full cycles of quarterback offers, a recruiting pattern is emerging from University of Miami head coach Mark Richt. We will dive into the quarterback classifications and ultimately decide that Richt is not locked into Dual Threats or Pro Style per say, rather he is all in on skill.
First off, let’s take inventory of who was offered at the quarterback position in 2017, 2018 and 2019
As you can see by designation, Richt has offered far more pro-style quarterbacks versus dual threats. 23 vs 10. However, that number becomes convoluted when you consider how some of these “pro-style” quarterbacks have some serious running ability.
For example, 2018 Miami quarterback signee Jarren Williams was listed as a pro-style QB. In 2017, Miami quarterback signee N’Kosi Perry was listed as a dual threat. However, it was in fact Williams who ran for considerably more yards in his high school career (1292) than Perry. (494)
Quarterback titles aside, every quarterback ultimately signed by Richt and company since 2017 show universal traits. They have refined quarterbacking skill, they are coveted recruits and they have mobility.
I want to focus on the later. The mobility. The “extendibility” factor if you will. Starting in 2017 with Perry and Weldon, both displayed the ability to run the zone read and extend outside the pocket. Richt undoubtedly had already put a premium on that position trait. It simply opened up more of the playbook. Here might be why.
Brad Kaaya was not a factor outside of the pocket. Kaaya did not factor in any zone read quarterback keep capacity. When you consider Kaaya had negative 386 yards for his career rushing, you noted soon after that the less mobile quarterbacks were being phased out of the program. Jack Allison fell casualty here and the more mobile Malik Rosier, shocking to some, became the starter of the program.
Prior to the signing of Jarren Williams in 2018, Pro Style quarterback Artur Sitkowski was in line to enter the Miami fold after his commitment. Sitkowski in the end landed on Rutgers after seemingly him and the staff parted ways. However, I will make the case that Sitkowski was in fact mobile. He could run the zone read with success and he had running touchdowns charted over 50 yards in his high school career.
Fast forward to this year and Miami is hot on the trail of the Oregon based dual threat dynamo Michael Johnson Jr. Johnson Jr in my opinion is the biggest home run threat in terms of running ability out of all the Miami signees. Mobility is definitely a premium these days.
Michael Johnson Jr. Ultimate Highlights
Richt by his own admission is not targeting a specific group. Dual threats do not hold more weight in his eyes than a pro-style and vice versa. In fact, Richt has had success developing both styles over the course of his distinguished career. At Georgia, he developed the number one overall NFL pick in the pro-style Matthew Stafford. Richt also won an SEC championship with a dual threat by the name of DJ Shockley.
I think the debate settles under a firm understanding. The days of a sedimentary “Groot like” character who limits your playbook appear to be over. That is not what has been happening over the past few cycles at quarterback. What has been happening however is that the quarterback room is beginning to build some serious depth.
Take comfort there and just rest easy. Dual Threat or Pro Style meh….who cares. Just continue to bring in guys who have gifted skill sets and can extend plays when the original play breaks down. The rest will take care of itself.
First off, let’s take inventory of who was offered at the quarterback position in 2017, 2018 and 2019
2017 Pro Style Quarterback Offerees (14)
- Davis Mills
- Hunter Johnson
- Jake Fromm
- Tristan Gebbia
- Baily Hockman
- James Blackman
- Chase Brice
- Daulton Hyatt
- Jack Coan
- Jake Allen
- Tyler Lytle
- Cade Weldon *Miami Signee
- Todd Centeio
- Jack Walker
2017 Dual Threat Quarterback Offerees (3)
- Kellen Mond
- Keytaon Thompson
- N’kosi Perry *Miami Signee
2018 Pro Style Quarterback Offerees (6)
- Trevor Lawrence
- JT Daniels
- Jarren Williams *Miami Signee
- Joe Milton
- Cameron Rising
- Artur Sitkowski
2018 Dual Threat Quarterback Offerees (5)
- Dorian Thompson-Robinson
- Justin Rogers
- Emory Jones
- Adrian Martinez
- Casey Thompson
2019 Pro Style Quarterback Offerees (3)
- Spencer Rattler
- Sam Howell
- Graham Mertz
2019 Dual Threat Quarterback Offerees (2)
- Michael Johnson Jr.
- Zamar Wise
As you can see by designation, Richt has offered far more pro-style quarterbacks versus dual threats. 23 vs 10. However, that number becomes convoluted when you consider how some of these “pro-style” quarterbacks have some serious running ability.
For example, 2018 Miami quarterback signee Jarren Williams was listed as a pro-style QB. In 2017, Miami quarterback signee N’Kosi Perry was listed as a dual threat. However, it was in fact Williams who ran for considerably more yards in his high school career (1292) than Perry. (494)
Quarterback titles aside, every quarterback ultimately signed by Richt and company since 2017 show universal traits. They have refined quarterbacking skill, they are coveted recruits and they have mobility.
I want to focus on the later. The mobility. The “extendibility” factor if you will. Starting in 2017 with Perry and Weldon, both displayed the ability to run the zone read and extend outside the pocket. Richt undoubtedly had already put a premium on that position trait. It simply opened up more of the playbook. Here might be why.
Brad Kaaya was not a factor outside of the pocket. Kaaya did not factor in any zone read quarterback keep capacity. When you consider Kaaya had negative 386 yards for his career rushing, you noted soon after that the less mobile quarterbacks were being phased out of the program. Jack Allison fell casualty here and the more mobile Malik Rosier, shocking to some, became the starter of the program.
Prior to the signing of Jarren Williams in 2018, Pro Style quarterback Artur Sitkowski was in line to enter the Miami fold after his commitment. Sitkowski in the end landed on Rutgers after seemingly him and the staff parted ways. However, I will make the case that Sitkowski was in fact mobile. He could run the zone read with success and he had running touchdowns charted over 50 yards in his high school career.
Fast forward to this year and Miami is hot on the trail of the Oregon based dual threat dynamo Michael Johnson Jr. Johnson Jr in my opinion is the biggest home run threat in terms of running ability out of all the Miami signees. Mobility is definitely a premium these days.
Michael Johnson Jr. Ultimate Highlights
Richt by his own admission is not targeting a specific group. Dual threats do not hold more weight in his eyes than a pro-style and vice versa. In fact, Richt has had success developing both styles over the course of his distinguished career. At Georgia, he developed the number one overall NFL pick in the pro-style Matthew Stafford. Richt also won an SEC championship with a dual threat by the name of DJ Shockley.
I think the debate settles under a firm understanding. The days of a sedimentary “Groot like” character who limits your playbook appear to be over. That is not what has been happening over the past few cycles at quarterback. What has been happening however is that the quarterback room is beginning to build some serious depth.
Take comfort there and just rest easy. Dual Threat or Pro Style meh….who cares. Just continue to bring in guys who have gifted skill sets and can extend plays when the original play breaks down. The rest will take care of itself.
