As the Miami Hurricanes enter another highly anticipated season, there are plenty of questions surrounding the program, from Darien Mensah taking command of the offense to how Miami’s defensive line will replace several key pieces. CanesInsight’s Danny Enriquez, also known as “DMoney,” recently joined NBC to discuss the Hurricanes after the first week of fall camp, sharing his thoughts on Mensah’s development, Miami’s defensive depth, the team’s “1-0” mentality and what could be ahead for the Hurricanes this season.
NBC: Well, it’s hard to believe that the first week of fall camp is in the books. Danny, so much to talk about. Let’s start with what everyone wants to know and see. Darien Mensah, he is feeling as confident as ever leading this offense, a leader in this locker room, and now his first fall camp in the books as the member of the U. What have you seen when you saw him out there and how he’s really taking command?
Danny Enriquez: Yeah. So, first week a lot different than Carson Beck’s first week because, you recall this time last year, Carson Beck, this was really his debut with the Miami Hurricanes. Did not participate in spring. Still coming back from the elbow injury. Didn’t really get a ton of time with his wide receivers. Hard to lead when you’re not on the field. So, Beck, what he did last season was really remarkable because he started from behind really by missing all of spring. Mensah picks up where he left off. Had a good spring. Worked out with a lot of the receivers in the summer both here in Miami and also in California, his home state. So, he is just picking up where he left off much further along than Beck simply because of the fact that he didn’t have an injury. And I think he’s very comfortable. He’s comfortable with his teammates. He’s comfortable with the offense of Shannon Dawson and he’s poised for a huge year.
NBC: Still counting down the days to Stanford. But when we think of championships, you got to think about the defense. And then one of the biggest question marks because when you have guys that got drafted in the first round, we saw the incredible talent that was on the defensive line with Rueben Bane Jr. and Akheem Mesidor. How do the guys that are there now, Danny, can replace guys like that? I know it’s hard, but they look like they’re ready for the challenge, ready to know and grow from what they learned from those guys to now put it into practice for this season.
Danny Enriquez: Yeah, you said it. They were such a good example, Rueben Bain, Akheem Mesidor because they weren’t just talented players. There were players that after practice worked on their game. Even in the NFL, you’re hearing that feedback that they’re just coming in so mentally locked in that they’re doing extra after these NFL training camp practices. So, you can’t have two better role models for what you’re trying to do as becoming a professional than Rueben Bane and Akheem Mesidor and of course Jason Taylor.
NBC: Why is it important that you’ve heard over and over again, one and 0, one and 0, one and 0, take the day by day? Because it is exciting to think like, wow, the potential is there and you’re saying all this stuff like, yeah, it sounds like they have the depth, but it’s still only one week of fall camp.
Danny Enriquez: Well, that’s the mantra and it’s been the mantra and they’ve had success with that one and 0 mantra. So, I think part of it is you look at the culture of the team, they’ve now seen what following the steps leads you to, which is the national championship game with a chance to win the championship. So, there’s been a validation of that 1 and 0 process. And then you look at a guy like Malachi Tony. I heard him say directly. He goes, “All the passes I caught last year, all the plays I made does not help me do anything this year. Not one thing I did last year will help me do one thing this year.” It is totally relevant to his success this year. And I think that attitude from your best player filters all the way down.
Check Out the Full Video
Want to hear the full conversation? Check out the full video below featuring CanesInsight’s Danny “DMoney” Enriquez discussing the Miami Hurricanes on NBC.
And while you’re there, make sure to subscribe to the CanesInsight YouTube channel for more Miami Hurricanes coverage, interviews, recruiting updates and analysis.
NBC: Well, it’s hard to believe that the first week of fall camp is in the books. Danny, so much to talk about. Let’s start with what everyone wants to know and see. Darien Mensah, he is feeling as confident as ever leading this offense, a leader in this locker room, and now his first fall camp in the books as the member of the U. What have you seen when you saw him out there and how he’s really taking command?
Danny Enriquez: Yeah. So, first week a lot different than Carson Beck’s first week because, you recall this time last year, Carson Beck, this was really his debut with the Miami Hurricanes. Did not participate in spring. Still coming back from the elbow injury. Didn’t really get a ton of time with his wide receivers. Hard to lead when you’re not on the field. So, Beck, what he did last season was really remarkable because he started from behind really by missing all of spring. Mensah picks up where he left off. Had a good spring. Worked out with a lot of the receivers in the summer both here in Miami and also in California, his home state. So, he is just picking up where he left off much further along than Beck simply because of the fact that he didn’t have an injury. And I think he’s very comfortable. He’s comfortable with his teammates. He’s comfortable with the offense of Shannon Dawson and he’s poised for a huge year.
NBC: Still counting down the days to Stanford. But when we think of championships, you got to think about the defense. And then one of the biggest question marks because when you have guys that got drafted in the first round, we saw the incredible talent that was on the defensive line with Rueben Bane Jr. and Akheem Mesidor. How do the guys that are there now, Danny, can replace guys like that? I know it’s hard, but they look like they’re ready for the challenge, ready to know and grow from what they learned from those guys to now put it into practice for this season.
Danny Enriquez: Yeah, you said it. They were such a good example, Rueben Bain, Akheem Mesidor because they weren’t just talented players. There were players that after practice worked on their game. Even in the NFL, you’re hearing that feedback that they’re just coming in so mentally locked in that they’re doing extra after these NFL training camp practices. So, you can’t have two better role models for what you’re trying to do as becoming a professional than Rueben Bane and Akheem Mesidor and of course Jason Taylor.
NBC: Why is it important that you’ve heard over and over again, one and 0, one and 0, one and 0, take the day by day? Because it is exciting to think like, wow, the potential is there and you’re saying all this stuff like, yeah, it sounds like they have the depth, but it’s still only one week of fall camp.
Danny Enriquez: Well, that’s the mantra and it’s been the mantra and they’ve had success with that one and 0 mantra. So, I think part of it is you look at the culture of the team, they’ve now seen what following the steps leads you to, which is the national championship game with a chance to win the championship. So, there’s been a validation of that 1 and 0 process. And then you look at a guy like Malachi Tony. I heard him say directly. He goes, “All the passes I caught last year, all the plays I made does not help me do anything this year. Not one thing I did last year will help me do one thing this year.” It is totally relevant to his success this year. And I think that attitude from your best player filters all the way down.
Check Out the Full Video
Want to hear the full conversation? Check out the full video below featuring CanesInsight’s Danny “DMoney” Enriquez discussing the Miami Hurricanes on NBC.
And while you’re there, make sure to subscribe to the CanesInsight YouTube channel for more Miami Hurricanes coverage, interviews, recruiting updates and analysis.
