MIAMI FOOTBALL NOTES

Martin sees skilled squad improving with experience

By MIKE SMITH
Cole Weaver's touchdown catches were a nice touch, but Miami football head coach Chuck Martin also liked the way his team entered -- and left -- the room (so to speak).

A big part of Saturday's Kickoff with the Community event was to test/rehearse some important logistical operations. 

"That's what today was all about - communication, getting on and off the field, substitutions and getting personnel right, getting lined up and trying to play offense and defense. They did a pretty nice job of it," Martin said. 

This year's squad . . .

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. . . includes a large amount of transfers and younger players. Many haven't been through a pregame routine. With the opener at Wisconsin (Thursday, Aug. 28) approaching, it was time to carve out some time to work on pregame and in-game logistics.  

"Today was more important because of the newness of our roster," Martin said. "We've "got 77 percent freshmen, sophomores and transfers. I keep reminding myself of that." 

"Last year, we had 29 seniors," he continued. "At this point last year, we were feeling pretty good." 

Now, "We're feverishly trying ot get ready for Wisconsin -- to put our best foot forward and go up to Madison and compete our tails off," said Martin, who knows it will be a trial by fire for many. 

"We can't simulate what it is going to be like at 9 p.m. playing a Big Ten team on the road.  They've got to go through it. They've got to live it. ... You gotta play college football in order to learn how to play college football. They think its gonna be like practice, and it's not going to be anything like practice. The guys that have played understand that. " 

MORE NOTES AND QUOTES
• With so many new and/or inexperienced faces on the two-deep, Martin said progress has been "slow and steady. We're getting there. We need tons more reps, but we're a lot better than we were two weeks ago." 
• Former MAC MVP (2023) Dequan Finn, who starred as Toledo's quarterback for several years before transferring to Baylor in 2024, is now a RedHawk. He is a true dual-threat QB who brings an abundance of experience - especially against MAC competition. 
• Redshirt senior RB Kenny Tracy should be back this year after an injury took away his 2024 season. He knows the Miami system and at 5-9, 229, he has the potential to be a productive runner  So does Jordan Brunson, a 5-10, 229-back who showed flashes of the ability to run inside with power and speed. 
• Transfers could give Finn a plethora a solid options at the receiver positions. Still, Weaver -- a redshirt sophomre - may be one of the key targets. "He's one of many guys who are going to contribute out there," Martin said. "We expect great things out of Cole this year. He showed a glimpse last year of what he can do."
• Much of Miami's inexperience is along both lines. "The biggest thing is new guys learning our system, new guys getting comfortable with one another, timing ... communication and all that," Martin said. "We like our guys, (but) we're inexperienced. We like our ability level. Consistency will be the key." 
• While the punting job has yet to be settled, special teams again appears to be a Miami strength. "That's our veteran group. With the long snapper and two phenominal kickers, we should be really strong."
• Only time will tell how much, but Martin is confident his squad is "going to keep getting better as the year goes on." He's also anxious to see which players will step up. 
Wide receiver "Reggie Virgil last year started the season like a deer (looking) into headlights for a couple weeks, and then he gets comfortable in playing in games and figures out how he needs to approach games. Then he becomes a star for us."