Q: What do you think is the first thing the quarterback group has to focus on this spring so their efforts translate to success this season?
RL: "Whoever our quarterback is going to be is going to has to earn the respect of his teammates. That allows him to be the leader. It's no different for coaches. We come in, we have to develop relationships with our players so they trust us and they'll listen to us and do what we're asking them to do and understand there's a reason for everything we do. As the quarterback, you're the leader of the offense. A lot of times, you're the leader of the team. And if those guys trust you and believe in you, because you've earned it, they're going to play better and harder around you.
"We've got to have quarterbacks who are willing to come in and be selfless, to be team guys, do whatever it takes for us to get the ball in the end zone and earn the respect of their teammates. Really, that's where it all starts, from an intangibles standpoint. Throwing the ball, making the right reads, getting the ball where it needs to go, all that stuff is important. But if they don't have the respect of their teammates, it doesn't matter. We're looking for someone who can earn that right, to be our leader."
Q: What have been some of your first impression of the quarterbacks?
RL: "I've gotten to meet them all once, very surface-level. I'm excited to get to know them better and develop relationships with them. Everybody's different and like I told them, everybody gets a fresh start. It's a clean slate. But, you're also going to earn everything you get. Nothing's going to be given to anybody. So, again, we're looking for the guy who can stand up and prove he wants to do what it takes and sacrifice to be the leader of our football team."
New offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee is known for running a fast-paced offense that puts up more than a few points. As he continues settling into his new role at UM, he shared his thoughts on a variety of topics -- from what he wants to see from his quarterbacks to what it's been like raising...
hurricanesports.com