After the Miami Hurricanes’ 31-24 loss to the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, Mario Cristobal and his coaching staff can probably see promise, but also uncertainty, in redshirt-freshman quarterback Jacurri Brown.
Brown’s performance is intriguing, and it makes one wonder how the Canes would fare if he were given the starting quarterback job in 2024. Brown possesses the arm talent, athleticism, and ability to make difficult throws that a young Hurricanes football team requires. The following two questions aid in the examination of Brown and his quarterback abilities.
Can Brown make a significant leap forward next season? How long would it take him to mature into a dominant signal-caller?
These are just two of many other questions that could be asked and answered in a variety of ways. To say the least, quarterback play is complicated. With that, here’s an overview of Brown’s quarterback strengths and weaknesses based solely on the Rutgers game.
To begin with, it’s clear that when Brown sticks to his passing techniques, he’s a capable passer. Not over- or under-striding, a tight follow-through, and so on. Brown’s belief in his passing technique, the players around him, and the coaching provided is evident at the end of the second quarter drive.
It’s impossible to overlook his ability to pick apart the Rutgers secondary while also communicating with slot receiver Xavier Restrepo and connecting with Isaiah Horton. Examining the drive in greater detail reveals more about Brown’s abilities when he’s in a groove.
Starting at Miami’s 10, Brown demonstrates his ability to connect with three consecutive out routes to Restrepo, kicking off the drive. Rutgers didn’t stop the outside passes, so Brown kept taking the easy yards.
Then, finding Horton in a situation where the Canes need yardage to get into a better field position for a possible field goal is a great sign that he doesn’t just focus on one player.
Brown completed four of five passes for 35 yards during the eight-play, 73-yard drive. Restrepo’s touchdown is overruled because of that lone incompletion. That is also useful information.
Brown’s confidence must have been sky-high at that point in the game. Touch when needed, accuracy throughout, and excellent timing with Restrepo and Horton. Those are big-time quarterback qualities that any Miami fan would cheer for. That also means evaluating Brown’s poor drives, such as the ones listed below.
Brown and the Canes gained only 26 yards on 12 plays combined in the third and fourth quarters, with all three drives ending in punts. Brown did not display the same level of accuracy and overall playmaking ability during those drives. Perhaps reverting to an inexperienced quarterback who lacks confidence? It’s difficult to say for sure.
Brown’s efforts against Rutgers would be only the ninth time he has played quarterback in college. Brown still has a lot to learn before anyone knows how good he can be, as his passing statistics demonstrate.
Brown completes 20 of 31 passes for 181 yards, a 5.8-yard average, one touchdown, and one interception. Then there’s Brown’s running ability to consider if he’s going to be Miami’s future quarterback
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It’s important to recognize that he’s a true dual-threat quarterback. Brown’s speed and moves help the canes whenever his number is called or he decides to run. Few other college quarterbacks have Brown’s size, arm strength, and athleticism.
Brown’s running ability results in him rushing 15 times for 57 yards, a 3.8 average, and two touchdowns against Rutgers; sacks count against his totals. Brown still needs to improve his overall consistency as a quarterback, but his physical ability to run the football is not an issue.
To summarize, could Brown be Miami’s quarterback in 2024? He certainly could. Is it likely to be a perfect scenario? Most likely not. For one thing, this is just one contestant’s impression of him. It is, however, an intriguing starting point. There will be more clarity soon about what will happen with Miami and Brown in the future.
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