**There is talk that Joseph Yearby has not been with the team recently and people within the program are hesitant to comment on the situation. I am told that Yearby has not been around since the first week of June and is not returning messages from his teammates. Just a strange sitation. Yearby was suspended for the spring game, but I do not believe this is connected to that. I am working on gathering more information on the topic, but my guess is that he will be back shortly. I repeat, I would be very surprised if he is not back with the team by the start of camp.
**Here is some news that is intriguing in my opinion…I spoke to a local high school coach who recently had a conversation with Mark D’Onofrio. This coach told me that D’Onofrio plans on utilizing Deon Bush as a corner at times this season in an effort to get the most talented defensive backs on the field. Coming out of high school, I was a huge fan of Bush as a corner and thought that was potentially his money position for the NFL due to his unique size/speed/physicality combination at the position. Bush has obviously shown flashes of his ability at safety in his first three seasons, but this could be something that I believe could benefit the defense…especially if D’Onofrio employs a more aggressive approach this season (I’ll believe it when I see it).
**One player that has struggled to make as big of an impact as some expected when he enrolled early at Miami is LB Juwon Young. Young has all of the physical tools to be very good, but just has not yet figured out the mental side of the game. As of now, it is unlikely that he sees many snaps this season. Terry McCray is in a similar spot as well.
**Taking some Twitter questions….
From @TheCMarone – “Who are 2 players you expect to have breakout seasons? 1 offensive and 1 defensive”
On offense, my pick is Rashawn Scott without a doubt. Scott was Miami’s best receiver last fall before the injury. Him and Brad Kaaya have a very close relationship and there is a good chance that Scott would have transferred if not for his belief in Kaaya. All indications are that this is the most focused that Scott has been in his time at Miami. He knows a good season could make him a big draft prospect.
On defense, I will go with Jermaine Grace. Grace is the most explosive linebacker on Miami’s roster and he is my pick to be the team’s leading tackler. People within the program believe he has taken the next step.
From @JSchaum24 – “is Njoku gonna have an impact this year”
Yes, I believe he will. David Njoku is a player who came to Miami with a lot of raw ability and has been impressive in the weight room as well as during spring. He has the tools to be a major mismatch problem for an opposing defense with his size and leaping ability.
**In some basketball news, Elon transfer Elijah Bryant was at Miami this weekend taking a visit. The 6-4, 225 shooting guard was the CAA freshman of the year last season averaging 14 PPG and the Canes coaching staff is hopeful he will land in Coral Gables. He would need to sit out a year, but this would be a nice get for Coach L and staff. Bryant is high on Butler along with Miami.
