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Junior defensive tackle Jon Ford has been one notable standout during Miami’s spring practices, running with the first team defense for the majority of camp and looking like he’s finally taken that next step that UM has been hoping to see from him.
“I’m just coming to practice every day, executing hard and having my brothers push me,” Ford said. “I’m going hard every day. I’m real comfortable.”
Ford credits losing 15 pounds since the season ended and focusing on flexibility training in the off-season for his improved play so far this spring.
“I feel a big difference with my breathing and my wind, feel better,” Ford said.
New defensive line coach Todd Stroud has come in to replace Jess Simpson, and Ford feels as if he’s fit right into what Miami wants to do on defense.
“He’s a good man,” Ford said. “Everything he teaches us is real basic but is real good stuff.”
Stroud’s motto?
“Use your hands, get up the field, make plays in the backfield,” Ford says.
**Sophomore corner DJ Ivey had two goals coming into the spring.
“Get better,” Ivey said. “Compete.”
After a season where he mostly played in spot duty, Ivey has been one of UM’s top 3 corners this spring and is pushing Al Blades for a starting job.
“I have to play my role and compete,” Ivey said.
Like most freshmen, Ivey’s body was still getting used to college level strength and conditioning throughout 2018. Now, he feels much stronger after playing last season at around 180 pounds.
“My body changed a lot,” Ivey said. “I’m up to 193 right now, I feel good.”
Have his coverage skills improved at all?
“I feel I’ve gotten better since the past year.”
Miami is thin at the corner position this spring with only four bodies, but UM is expecting two true freshmen in Te’Cory Couch and Christian Williams to enroll during the summer. Ivey said the current corner group is in contact with the future Canes, making sure they are prepared to see the field right away.
“We talk to them every now and then, go over the playbook,” Ivey said. “They can come in and play.”
According to Ivey, cornerbacks coach Mike Rumph challenges them almost every day to win a championship like the past greats did at Miami.
“He says if you all want it, you have to go get it - it’s up to us,” Ivey said.
**Sophomore safety Gurvan Hall says his main priorities this spring has been to add muscle to his frame and continue learning the playbook. Hall has pushed his weight up to 196 pounds this off-season, up from about 185 in 2018.
“I’ve gained like 10 pounds,” Hall said. “I’m more physical, setting edges, that’s the main thing.”
As expected, the defense hasn’t changed at all for Miami and in his second year, Hall is getting more comfortable in the scheme.
“We just have to keep urgency to the ball, tackling, everyone in their playbook,” Hall said.
Although Miami had tremendous success with their stop unit in 2018, Hall feels the key to maintaining that level of play is getting everyone on the same page with the scheme.
“Everyone has to learn the playbook, make sure you lock it down,” Hall said.
How has it been different defending the new offense that Dan Enos has brought to Miami?
“It’s challenging us,” Hall said. “Last year, it was a simple offense. Now, we get a lot of motion. That’s helping us. We have to move, rotate.”
**Freshman DE Jahfari Harvey has been on campus for only three months, but is already starting to build a strong relationship with the rest of the defensive end group.
“I feel like the older guys are putting me under their wing,” Harvey said. “Jon Garvin, Scott Patchan, Greg Rousseau, Pat Joyner--if I need anything I can ask them and they’ll help me out.”
The biggest adjustment for Harvey in coming to play at the college level?
“I feel like time management is the biggest change because you have practice, workouts, study hall, or class—just a whole lot of things going on so you have to manage your time and you can’t get lost," Harvey said.
Harvey has seemed to adjust well, as he has spent the majority of his time on the second team this spring. Another difference he’s noticed is the size and speed of the O-Linemen he’s been going up against.
“It’s a little different,” Harvey said. “They’re bigger, a lot of them are quicker with their feet, so I feel my bend helps a lot getting around that edge.”
The Canes don’t expect much to change on defense despite the addition of new DC Blake Baker and Harvey doesn’t seem to mind at all.
“I love it because coach Baker is real dynamic and we’re attacking a lot," Harvey said. "Everything has been pin your ears back and go.”
Even though Harvey signed with Jess Simpson expected to be his position coach, he feels new DL coach Todd Stroud is a good fit at Miami.
“I like coach Stroud, he’s a good man," Harvey said. "He’s taught me a lot already with my hands and technique.”
“I’m just coming to practice every day, executing hard and having my brothers push me,” Ford said. “I’m going hard every day. I’m real comfortable.”
Ford credits losing 15 pounds since the season ended and focusing on flexibility training in the off-season for his improved play so far this spring.
“I feel a big difference with my breathing and my wind, feel better,” Ford said.
New defensive line coach Todd Stroud has come in to replace Jess Simpson, and Ford feels as if he’s fit right into what Miami wants to do on defense.
“He’s a good man,” Ford said. “Everything he teaches us is real basic but is real good stuff.”
Stroud’s motto?
“Use your hands, get up the field, make plays in the backfield,” Ford says.
**Sophomore corner DJ Ivey had two goals coming into the spring.
“Get better,” Ivey said. “Compete.”
After a season where he mostly played in spot duty, Ivey has been one of UM’s top 3 corners this spring and is pushing Al Blades for a starting job.
“I have to play my role and compete,” Ivey said.
Like most freshmen, Ivey’s body was still getting used to college level strength and conditioning throughout 2018. Now, he feels much stronger after playing last season at around 180 pounds.
“My body changed a lot,” Ivey said. “I’m up to 193 right now, I feel good.”
Have his coverage skills improved at all?
“I feel I’ve gotten better since the past year.”
Miami is thin at the corner position this spring with only four bodies, but UM is expecting two true freshmen in Te’Cory Couch and Christian Williams to enroll during the summer. Ivey said the current corner group is in contact with the future Canes, making sure they are prepared to see the field right away.
“We talk to them every now and then, go over the playbook,” Ivey said. “They can come in and play.”
According to Ivey, cornerbacks coach Mike Rumph challenges them almost every day to win a championship like the past greats did at Miami.
“He says if you all want it, you have to go get it - it’s up to us,” Ivey said.
**Sophomore safety Gurvan Hall says his main priorities this spring has been to add muscle to his frame and continue learning the playbook. Hall has pushed his weight up to 196 pounds this off-season, up from about 185 in 2018.
“I’ve gained like 10 pounds,” Hall said. “I’m more physical, setting edges, that’s the main thing.”
As expected, the defense hasn’t changed at all for Miami and in his second year, Hall is getting more comfortable in the scheme.
“We just have to keep urgency to the ball, tackling, everyone in their playbook,” Hall said.
Although Miami had tremendous success with their stop unit in 2018, Hall feels the key to maintaining that level of play is getting everyone on the same page with the scheme.
“Everyone has to learn the playbook, make sure you lock it down,” Hall said.
How has it been different defending the new offense that Dan Enos has brought to Miami?
“It’s challenging us,” Hall said. “Last year, it was a simple offense. Now, we get a lot of motion. That’s helping us. We have to move, rotate.”
**Freshman DE Jahfari Harvey has been on campus for only three months, but is already starting to build a strong relationship with the rest of the defensive end group.
“I feel like the older guys are putting me under their wing,” Harvey said. “Jon Garvin, Scott Patchan, Greg Rousseau, Pat Joyner--if I need anything I can ask them and they’ll help me out.”
The biggest adjustment for Harvey in coming to play at the college level?
“I feel like time management is the biggest change because you have practice, workouts, study hall, or class—just a whole lot of things going on so you have to manage your time and you can’t get lost," Harvey said.
Harvey has seemed to adjust well, as he has spent the majority of his time on the second team this spring. Another difference he’s noticed is the size and speed of the O-Linemen he’s been going up against.
“It’s a little different,” Harvey said. “They’re bigger, a lot of them are quicker with their feet, so I feel my bend helps a lot getting around that edge.”
The Canes don’t expect much to change on defense despite the addition of new DC Blake Baker and Harvey doesn’t seem to mind at all.
“I love it because coach Baker is real dynamic and we’re attacking a lot," Harvey said. "Everything has been pin your ears back and go.”
Even though Harvey signed with Jess Simpson expected to be his position coach, he feels new DL coach Todd Stroud is a good fit at Miami.
“I like coach Stroud, he’s a good man," Harvey said. "He’s taught me a lot already with my hands and technique.”
