Fansided

Phillip Dorsett: Brad Kaaya could be one of best ever at Miami

By Will Osgood

Nov 15, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes quarterback Brad Kaaya (15) throws a pass against the Florida State Seminoles during the second half at Sun Life Stadium. FSU won 30-26. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 15, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes quarterback Brad Kaaya (15) throws a pass against the Florida State Seminoles during the second half at Sun Life Stadium. FSU won 30-26. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

NFL Draft prospect Phillip Dorsett said former Miami teammate, QB Brad Kaaya, could be one of best to play at Miami. 

Miami Hurricanes quarterback Brad Kaaya was the first true freshman to ever start at quarterback at the University of Miami this past season; that in itself should say something about his potential going forward.

His former teammate, current NFL Draft prospect, wide receiver Phillip Dorsett, thinks it means a lot.

Dorsett, who NFL Network draft experts Mike Mayock and Daniel Jeremiah believe is the fastest player in this year’s draft class, only had a year to work alongside the young quarterback, but it’s clear the freshman from Woodland Hills, CA made quite the impression.

Thanks in large part to the improved quarterback play from Kaaya, Dorsett had a breakout season as a senior at Miami—finishing first in the Atlantic Coast Conference in receiving touchdowns, 10, and yards per reception, 24.2.

Kaaya played in all 13 games this season for the Hurricanes, including the bowl game, completing 58.5 percent of his passes for 3,198 yards with 26 touchdowns and just 12 interceptions.

At 6’4” and a rail-thin 218 pounds, Kaaya proved in his freshman season to be a true pocket passer, finishing the year with triple digits in rushing yards, only with a negative sign in front.

More from College Football

Kaaya had moments he struggled, as any freshman would, especially in the season-opening game against Louisville on Labor Day night. But he also had some great games, especially against the defending national champion Florida State Seminoles in the biggest rivalry game, one shown in primetime on ABC.

Kaaya was smart enough to recognize he had two future NFL skill players, in Dorsett and tight end Clive Walford. Those two were Kaaya’s main targets, especially when pressure came and/or when “The U” needed a big play.

Kaaya will be around Miami at least two more seasons, because of the agreement between the NCAA and NFL that players cannot enter the draft until three seasons after they graduate high school.

Assuming he improves in those two seasons alone, he could easily reach 10,000-plus passing yards, which would bring him near the marks and legacy of such Miami greats as Jim Kelly, Vinny Testaverde, Gino Torretta and Ken Dorsey.

But ultimately that legacy will be either positively or negatively impacted by whether Kaaya can help lead the ‘Canes back to the prominence of the national stage, a place Miami has not been since Larry Coker was fired.

If Dorsett is right, Kaaya has the poise and instincts to make that a reality.

More from FanSided

Home/College Football