College football’s signing day is right around the corner, and Miami was not letting that kick off without a full-staff.
Miami hired away Alabama quarterbacks coach Dan Enos on Friday, and that could signal Jalen Hurts is leaning toward transferring to the Hurricanes.
Enos helped Hurts develop as a passer this season, albeit in a relief role behind Heisman runner-up Tua Tagovailoa. The relationship the two developed could continue at Miami where the Canes are one of the possible suitors for the hottest free agent in college football. Enos is coming off a season where Tua Tagovailoa was the Heisman runner-up and the Crimson Tide offense broke almost every single-season offensive record in program history.
Hurts is 26-2 as a starter and led Alabama to the National Championship Game the previous two years before taking a back seat to Tagovailoa this last season. Hurts was a valuable resource for Tagovailoa and was never a distraction. He helped get Alabama to the College Football Playoff after rushing for the game-winning score vs. Georgia in the SEC Championship Game after Tagovailoa was injured.
Hurts has plenty of suitors, including Washington State, TCU, Maryland, among others, but Miami makes the most sense for immediate playing time at a program that desperately needs help at the position. Hurts is visiting Miami this weekend, according to Barry Jackson.
Jalen Hurts visiting Miami this weekend, says @Canesport... So UM can inject some Alabama (Enos, maybe Hurts), while Fins can inject some Patriots if hire Flores
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) January 11, 2019
N’Kosi Perry started games for the team this season but was involved in two social media scandals that forced the team to go back to now-graduated Malik Rosier. Cade Weldon, a former three-star recruit, and Jarren Williams, a former four-star recruit, were part of the quarterback race a year ago and plan on battling Perry for next year’s starting spot. But if Hurts transfers to Miami to follow Enos, he would be the unquestioned starter. Even before Miami made Enos their guy, there were Miami connections being made.
Diaz has discussed the need for competition at the quarterback position. By bringing in Enos, a quarterback coach, and discussing transfer quarterbacks, he clearly means it. Enos and the staff he and Diaz put together will bring much-needed changes to The U.
The University of Miami has made drastic changes on their sideline this offseason. It started with the unexpected retirement announcement of coach Mark Richt. Uncertainty surrounded the program with then-defensive coordinator Manny Diaz intending to leave to take the head coaching job at Temple. Instead, Miami lured back their guy and promoted Diaz to head coach.
Diaz proceeded to clean house on the offensive side of the ball. It was a much-needed change as last season saw the Hurricanes finish towards the bottom of all Power 5 schools offensively, including 66th in points per game and 113th in passing yards per game. Hurricanes fans eagerly awaited for Diaz to name the team’s offensive coordinator.