MIAMI FOOTBALL

RedHawks' QB depth figures as plus

Brett Gabbert earned Third Team All-MAC honors in 2021. (MVSmith)

FALL CAMP REPORT 1
Survival -- and success -- often come down to adaptability.
After adapting for survival early last year, the Miami RedHawks are again adapting as 2023 fall camp opens. This time, they are able to focus on season goals.

On the surface, Miami's fall work this year probably doesn't look a whole lot different than in 2022. That's because, the RedHawks again plan on a robust -- and pass friendly -- offense that should make MU a serious MAC East title contender. 

Last year's plans, however, took a devastating hit . . .

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. . . in Week One when the RedHawks lost starting quarterback Brett Gabbert and left tackle Caleb Shaffer. With previous backup AJ Mayer departed via transfer, Gabbert's injury thrust freshman Aveon Smith into the starting QB role for much of the season. Not only did Smith lack any significant game experience, his skill set was more geared toward running success than passing. 

Suddenly, the RedHawks were in survival mode -- forced to adapt.

"When Brett went down, I had some major concerns about whether (or not) we were going to score enough points to win any games, let alone get to six wins (and bowl eligiblity), MU head coach Chuck Martin recalled Saturday. "We (already) had eight new defensive starters, so we were kind of relying on the offense more (last year)."

Aveon Smith showed strong running skills and improved enough in other areas to help Miami reach a bowl game. (MVSmith)

Maddox Kopp transferred in from Colorado. (MVSmith)

He continued, "When you lose your left tackle and quarterback, you obviously make some adjustments with the offense, but also how you approach and attack games to try to win them. ... A-V is a different style of quarterback than Brett, so you definitely had a change of style of play, and then just your overall big picture."

On the plus side, Martin noted, Smith brought a solid "compete level" that helped him improve, particularly in the passing game and decision making. "You're not trying to throw that kid to the wolves. You're letting him walk before he runs, and (he) can grow into the position. As the season progresses, then you're expanding back into a lot more stuff... As the year progressed, it got better and better, and we became more functioning on that side of the ball." 

Martin noted there is more work to do, but Smith is way ahead of his skills/experience at this time last year. The RedHawks have also added Colorado transfer Maddox Kopp, a 6-5 QB who seemed to be picking up the offense pretty well during spring drills. With Gabbert back and healthy, the quarterback position is in a much better spot.

"If you've got a great football team... (chances are) there is a great quarterback (running the offense)," said Martin, who noted Gabbert's wealth of experience and understanding of offensive principles compliment passing skills that allowed him to throw for 2,648 yards and 26 TDs with just six interceptions in 2021). 

NEXT: NEW BLOOD IN RECEIVER ROOM COULD BOOST PASSING GAME

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