Palm Beach Post Article on Spring Canes

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http://caneswatch.blog.palmbeachpos...n-for-miami-hurricanes-offense-entering-2018/

"Tyree St. Louis has emerged as a solid left tackle, and center Tyler Gauthier “has really stepped up big” in the leadership department, Brown said."

“We need more leadership, as I’ve said several times,” Brown said. “He’s becoming more of a vocal guy, commanding the huddle, commanding guys around him, which is huge.”

"Seniors St. Louis and Brown, and sophomore right tackle Navaughn Donaldson, have the strongest handle on jobs. UM is sorting through options at left guard (redshirt senior Jahair Jones remains ahead) and right tackle (redshirt junior George Brown), but there’s no shortage of contenders."

"At running back, junior starter Travis Homer has been “a staple every day,” but sophomore DeeJay Dallas and five-star freshmen Lorenzo Lingard will get carries. Brown is encouraged by oft-injured redshirt freshman Robert Burns, who has bulked up to (5-foot-10 and) 225 pounds and has remained healthy. That’s a major step forward for a player who missed most of his final two high school seasons with ankle and shoulder injuries, and spent last year dealing with various ailments."

“He has been a ghost since he’s been here,” he said of Burns, “He’s not where I want him to be right now, but he’s been a pleasant surprise this spring. He’s made some plays, he’s broken some tackles. He’s a 225-pound guy who should play that way. He doesn’t always play that way. I’m pleased with the direction he’s going and his mindset.”

"Incoming fullback Realus George, who arrives this summer, may be pushed by redshirt senior Trayone Gray, who like Burns has been playing fullback at times. Brown said Gray, listed at 6-2 and 235 pounds, is actually 240. Gray has 36 carries for 211 yards and three touchdowns in three seasons of action."
 
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The OL could actually be in pretty great shape this year if a couple things take form.

- Tyree St. Louis is a quality starter that seems to be adapting well to LT. He's experienced and has improved every season. Now as a senior, I can see him being all-conference caliber

- Navaughn Donaldson is a physical specimen with unlimited potential. He started his entire freshman season. He's now experienced and in better college shape. I expect him to also be all-conference caliber. The question is whether he will be playing RT or guard.

- Tyler Gauthier is an experienced starter who was solid for us last year. Hearing reports of him taking on a leadership role is promising. He will be a solid starter, most likely at center, but I think he could be just as good at guard. That flexibility makes it worth considering if someone like Mahoney or Gaynor is a better center than they are guard and if moving Gauthier to guard would allow for a net positive for the line.

Those are the 3 established starters. I believe we have a solid mix of young talent and veterans who should be coached up and developed up to a point where they can legitimately contribute.

- Corey Gaynor was able to establish a role for himself off the bat as a freshman and gain valuable experience. He can play either guard or center and has the attitude and demeanor to be a good one. He needs to get his strength/weight up to endure a full college season and hopefully a year in the program will have him there. It's very possible that he claims a starting spot, and if not, he should prove to be starter-worthy rotational depth.

- Hayden Mahoney emerged to find a role on the team last year and had some solid moments. He'll now be a RS Junior. If he continues to improve he should be able to also be a rotational lineman of value at the guard spot.

- Delone Scaife is a special talent who has the build of an interior lineman but has the feet and wingspan that could allow him to play tackle, as well. He has the benefit of enrolling early to get into college shape, and with the right approach and attitude should challenge for a starting spot in a similar manner to Donaldson last year.

It seems most of our likely quality depth is on the interior, which makes it more likely that Donaldson should become a fixture at RT. However, maybe there is something to George Brown opening up Spring at RT. Unfortunately, I'm not optimistic on Brown or Jahair Jones until proven otherwise, but they are physically capable guys who have now been developed in college programs for years. Some guys emerge late and surprise (think Alex Gall a couple years ago). Herbert and Hillery are both talented and no longer freshman, so hopefully they can emerge as quality depth or maybe one can even push for a starting spot at tackle.
 
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We seem to finally have enough horses to have a quality OL

Richt has always been high on having them ready to play several positions so once we find the right combination this line seems ready to finally excel. Besides he QB position, OL has been the missing link over the past few years.

Good to know that we may finally be able to put our concerns in the past
 
- Hayden Mahoney emerged to find a role on the team last year and had some solid moments. He'll now be a RS Junior. If he continues to improve he should be able to also be a rotational lineman of value at the guard spot.
Dude, this guy got manhandled last year.
 
Dude, this guy got manhandled last year.

I'm not counting on him to be a starter, but I think he can emerge into rotation worthy. I've seen enough football to know that it often takes OL a while to be able to hang on this level.
 
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