MIAMI NOTES

Plenty of new talent at Saturday football event

By MIKE SMITH
Miami football wraps up spring practice Saturday with the annual Spring Showcase. As with many programs, the RedHawks do not play a "Spring Game," per se. However, their agenda will include some scrimmage-like activity as part of an "open practice."  It always seems nice to get a spring taste of football. This year's event figures to . . . 

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Daquann Finn

. . . be a particularly good opportunty. Given the huge roster turnover from 2024, fans will be able to view a ton of new talent. 

Prominant among the "newcomers" is Daquan Finn. The former Toledo Rocket quarterback was MAC Player of the Year (2023).  In his 45 career games for UT, he passed for 7,074 yards and 63 TDs. He also ran for 1,840 yards with 25 scores. 

Finn transferred to Baylor last year and saw limited action. Before being shelved with an injury, he completed 23 of 43 passes for 307 yards and three TDs. 

Suffice it to say, the RedHawks were/are ultra-aware of Finn's many talents. He was likewise aware of Miami's success under Head Coach Chuck Martin. After entering the portal, Finn signed on with the RedHawks, who had lost six-year standout QB Brett Gabbert. 

The Rockets thrived on Finn's dual-threat capabilities, and Miami aims to do the same. The early returns of spring practice are very encouraging. 

Martin and his staff have demonstrated an ability to adapt offenses to available talent -- sometimes by necessity in mid-season. With the arrival of Finn among 13 transfers and 11 early enrollees, spring has been a critical period for both personnel evaluation, skill and scheme work. 

Many of the newcomers have been battling for "vacant" spots as MU attempts to surround Finn with weapons. Among transfers on the roster are six wideouts and three tight ends, with former stops including Washington, Indiana, Florida State, Colorado/TCU and Notre Dame. 

Finn is certainly a capable thrower, and his ability to extend plays with his feet make him even particularly dangerous. Toledo led the MAC in scoring, total offense, rushing and passing during Finn's final year (2023) there. 

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Miami again wraps up its spring practices with the Spring Showcase. This year's roster contains a particularly high number of new RedHawks. (MVSmith/MRO file)

Keeping in mind that there is a ton of work to do in fall camp, here are some things to watch Saturday. 

• Receivers -- How is the chemistry? Who's getting open? Who's making catches? Are the tight ends in the mix yet? 
• Offensive line/Defensive line -- Both lines were hit hard by graduation and/or the portal. A few incoming transfers could play a part in restocking, but some of the "fix" must be internal. Spring is a VERY small sample size, but are those units making progress?
• Kenny Tracy was lost to injury last year. Can he and other backs give MU a solid running game? 
• Linebackers - Matt Salopek, 2023 MAC Defensive Player of the Year, is gone after recording a team-high 122 tackles last year. Several other defensive cornerstones are also gone. 
Linebackers are usually a strength for Miami. Corban Hondru is among the returning 'backers with experience. But there are some big shoes to fill among the front two defensive units.
• Silas Walters and Eli Blakey lend experience in the secondary. They ranked second and third, respectively, in tackles among Miami defenders in 2024. Who will step up for that unit? 

The Spring Showcase is a snapshot, for sure. Still, it's a chance to see a lot of new players and their skills. See below for a link to Miami's spring roster. 

SPRING ROSTER LINK HERE

As for the showcase details, they are as follows: 

Date: Saturday, April 26
Place: Mostly in the Dauch Indoor Sports Center

7:30 a.m. Equipment sale opens
9:30 a.m. One-Stop Shop (ticket sales) opens
10 a.m. Swoops Fan Fest opens
10 a.m. Food truck opens
11 a.m. Players begin warm-up
11:30 a.m. Proactice begins