It’s official: Miami will have a new starting QB when they take the field on Friday night against Virginia, as head coach Manny Diaz gave the nod to N’Kosi Perry in lieu of Jarren Williams’ shoulder issues.
“We just found out today, everyone has been hyped up,” Perry said of learning the news. “I just want to get a win for the team, we need to get that feeling back.”
Friday will be something of a redemption game for Perry as well.
In 2018, the Canes and Perry came into their game against UVA riding high at 5-1 and fresh off a win over rival FSU. However, the offense struggled mightily, Perry was benched after two brutal interceptions, and UM fell on the road to the Cavs, 16-13.
“I didn’t play well last year and we didn’t get the win,” Perry said. “The whole team didn’t play well. We want to go out and show we can compete with anybody.”
Working with new OC Dan Enos this season, Perry feels he’s improved on the mental side of the game.
“He has helped me understand the defense’s coverages - my preparation in my mind is a lot better than where I was last year,” Perry said. “I’m just ready to show that I’m ready to play, that the whole team is ready to play.”
How did Williams take the news?
“He’s been a good sport about it, I’m being a good sport about it too,” Perry said.
Last season, Perry went 4-2 as the starting QB for UM splitting time with Malik Rosier, but lost the battle for the starting job to Williams over the offseason. Now back in the saddle for the first time since November 2018, Perry says it feels good to have the coaching staff’s confidence again.
“I guess it gives me a little more confidence than I already had,” Perry said. “But it’s about the team. The whole team needs to redeem ourselves for this game and for the season.”
Despite starting the season as a backup yet again and transfer rumors swirling, Perry says he was never close to leaving the team.
“I’m going to be here for them regardless whether I’m the No. 1 guy or No. 5 guy. I’m going to support the University of Miami, that’s my overall goal,” Perry said. “I’m proud I didn’t quit, but I knew I wasn’t going to quit. I’m not a quitter. I’ve never been, never will be.”
With the 4-1 and 20th-ranked Cavaliers coming down to Hard Rock Stadium for a night game on Friday, Perry intends to use this matchup to springboard the team to bigger and better things in the future.
“We all want to win,” Perry said. “Losing sucks. I feel we get this win we’ll be back on a roll, back used to that winning feeling.”
“We just found out today, everyone has been hyped up,” Perry said of learning the news. “I just want to get a win for the team, we need to get that feeling back.”
Friday will be something of a redemption game for Perry as well.
In 2018, the Canes and Perry came into their game against UVA riding high at 5-1 and fresh off a win over rival FSU. However, the offense struggled mightily, Perry was benched after two brutal interceptions, and UM fell on the road to the Cavs, 16-13.
“I didn’t play well last year and we didn’t get the win,” Perry said. “The whole team didn’t play well. We want to go out and show we can compete with anybody.”
Working with new OC Dan Enos this season, Perry feels he’s improved on the mental side of the game.
“He has helped me understand the defense’s coverages - my preparation in my mind is a lot better than where I was last year,” Perry said. “I’m just ready to show that I’m ready to play, that the whole team is ready to play.”
How did Williams take the news?
“He’s been a good sport about it, I’m being a good sport about it too,” Perry said.
Last season, Perry went 4-2 as the starting QB for UM splitting time with Malik Rosier, but lost the battle for the starting job to Williams over the offseason. Now back in the saddle for the first time since November 2018, Perry says it feels good to have the coaching staff’s confidence again.
“I guess it gives me a little more confidence than I already had,” Perry said. “But it’s about the team. The whole team needs to redeem ourselves for this game and for the season.”
Despite starting the season as a backup yet again and transfer rumors swirling, Perry says he was never close to leaving the team.
“I’m going to be here for them regardless whether I’m the No. 1 guy or No. 5 guy. I’m going to support the University of Miami, that’s my overall goal,” Perry said. “I’m proud I didn’t quit, but I knew I wasn’t going to quit. I’m not a quitter. I’ve never been, never will be.”
With the 4-1 and 20th-ranked Cavaliers coming down to Hard Rock Stadium for a night game on Friday, Perry intends to use this matchup to springboard the team to bigger and better things in the future.
“We all want to win,” Perry said. “Losing sucks. I feel we get this win we’ll be back on a roll, back used to that winning feeling.”
