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The Miami football program has named its starting quarterback for the 2019 season. On Monday, August 12, head coach Manny Diaz announced which player earned the No. 1 spot on the depth chart and it was not the high-profile transfer from Ohio State.
According to Diaz, the Hurricanes will enter the 2019 campaign with redshirt freshman Jarren Williams as the starter.
Williams earned the starting role by beating out Ohio State transfer Tate Martell, who received an NCAA waiver that allows him to play immediately this season, and sophomore signal-caller N’Kosi Perry.
“All three guys showed tremendous improvement and development, which is a credit to their hard work and the work of Dan Enos and his offensive staff,” Diaz said. “We believe we can win with all three guys, however, we feel like Jarren has the greatest upside due to his passing ability, his instincts and his determination,” Diaz said in a statement from the university. “As we move into preparation for the Florida game we will continue the competition to determine who will serve as the backup quarterback.
“Obviously Jarren is a gifted passer. He has learned, I think, the maturity that comes with being the starting quarterback at a place like Miami. He is becoming more and more comfortable with the offense. I think Jarren, also, is a guy that hit 20 miles per hour [running] this summer. Jarren is a better athlete than, I think, people give him credit for – all the reasons he was recruited to come here in the first place.”
Williams was a four-star prospect out of high school and the No. 5 dual-threat quarterback in the nation.
“It means the world,” Williams said. “This is something that I’ve always strived for growing up. It’s been my dream since I was a kid. When I was six years old, I used to sit in front of the TV and watch Michael Vick play. That’s a dream I have always had and I’ve strived for it. Having the opportunity to lead this team is the opportunity of a lifetime and I am going to take full advantage of it.”
The Hurricanes open their 2019 campaign against the Florida Gators on Saturday, August 24.
The game will take place at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida.
