The Hurricanes have decided that redshirt junior, Malik Rosier, will lead the team as the starting quarterback when they play Bethune-Cookman on September 2nd. The announcement comes after two scrimmages in fall camp in which Rosier completed over 70% of his passes.
Background of Rosier
A three-star recruit from out of Faith Academy high school in Mobile, Alabama Rosier came to Miami as a dual-threat quarterback and a dual sport athlete. He initially played baseball in the spring and rejoined the football team in the fall. After the arrival of new head coach Mark Richt, he decided ultimately to drop baseball in order to have a concentrated focus on football.
Rosier has one start on his resume, and it’s a memorable one. In a 58-0 loss to Clemson,Brad Kayaa left the game with a concussion. That injury would thrust Rosier into his first starting action on the road in Durham, North Carolina against the Duke Blue Devils. Many remember the eight lateral play to win the game but Rosier more than held his own with 20 completions on 29 attempts for 272 yards and two touchdowns.
As a redshirt sophomore most of his experience would come in during games that were already decided. However the play calling was different when Rosier entered in the game and many could sense intrigue in his abilities coupled Mark Richt’s play calling.
What He Brings to the Miami Offense
The Miami offense will look as different than any other year due to having a quarterback with the ability to effectively run the football. Rosier has the ability to tuck the ball and outrun a defense. Last season against Bethune Cookman he rushed for 65 yards in the second half alone. In the game against the Blue Devils, he had a 46-yard rush on a naked bootleg.
With many teams electing to use more run-pass option plays, look for Miami to adopt this trend as well. In camp Richt has also been impressed with Rosier’s mental makeup, particularly in the second scrimmage. He commented on what he saw from Rosier afterwards, “Malik made a really good check in the scrimmage and turned it into a touchdown,” Richt said. “That shows that he knows what he is doing and guys can have confidence that he knows what he is doing. He took a good situation and made it a great situation.”
Miami opens the season against Bethune-Cookman at home on September 2nd, and then head to Arkansas State. Their week three match-up versus Florida State looks to have huge implications, not only within the Atlantic Coast Conference, but potentially nationally as Florida State faces Alabama on the opening week of college football.
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