The season is officially two weeks away and here are some quick hitters focusing in and around camp. The Orange Bowl Bowls have popularized Five Questions (Insert Toast’s annoying voice) so why not keep the five theme alive. Five notes surrounding Hurricane camp and the Hurricane program. Let’s Go!!!

1. The emergence of Darrell Jackson Jr. means something

Darrell Jackson Jr. is the massive bodied big boy transfer from Maryland. The 6’6, 300 pound behemoth has a role to play in sub packages on defense and that easily is as a zero tech defensive tackle in odd looks. The defensive line added some quality talent via the transfer portal. Mitchell Agude (UCLA) Akheem Mesidor (WVU) Jake Lichtenstein (USC) and Antonio Moultrie (UAB) will be looked upon to bolster the defensive line. Jackson however will give the Hurricanes the ability to play head up on the center and has been seen getting first team reps.

His ability to occupy double teams will give the Hurricanes the freedom to change alignments seamlessly. The Georgia Bulldogs recently won a championship and have shifted from even to odd man fronts in like fashion. On any given year, the Kirby Smart Bulldogs have operated with 60% odd man looks to 40% even looks. (Alignments have switched the following year) Jordan Davis was the centerpiece in their odd man fronts. A monster in the middle could give Miami similar efficacy.

2. Zion Nelson out John Campbell in

Zion Nelson’s return is still questionable. With the season two weeks away and Nelson still out, Campbell will be the guy at left tackle until proven otherwise. Campbell declared he is playing his heart out right now and that it’s open competition once Nelson returns. The offensive linemen hasn’t lined up for the Hurricanes since 2020 after recovering from a knee injury.  Tyler Van Dyke’s blindside will most likely wear the number 74 on opening day and Campbell has a huge role to fill.

3. Miami plans to upgrade

The University of Miami’s assault to join the college football space race is evident. In an almost Elon Musk rocket to mars fashion, a five story football-centric Taj Mahal will be rocketing up on campus. The price tag could exceed 150 million dollars and this would essentially end all debate in terms of on campus facilities. Coach Mario Cristobal came from Oregon where nice things were in abundance. Athletic Director Dan Radakovich is no stranger to building nice things on campus. Sure the Clemson facility is probably most known for its slide but the building that houses it is stupendous. You add both men’s knowledge of what it takes on the facility front to compete in today’s college football landscape and look for something to break ground next year.

4. Tyler Van Dyke will find X

The Hurricane quarterback has seen his fair share of ups and downs in practice from the wide receiver group. Xavier Restrepo has been the lighthouse through the fog. The roommates will connect this year and in a big way. As the rest of the Miami Hurricane wide receiver room is circumnavigating for position, Van Dyke knows where X is. Restrepo saw action in all 12 games last year totaling 24 catches for 373 yards with two touchdowns. That ranked Restrepo fifth in receptions and fourth in respected receiving yards. Expect both of those numbers to considerably rise. Coach Cristobal called him the most consistent receiver in camp and he was not lying.

5. Jaccuri Brown is getting better. Although the true freshman was rough early in camp, he is finding a groove and that’s what happens when good coaching gets involved. Former Canes quarterback Malik Rosier was recently on the OBB and compared him to a young RG3. Brown has also had some impressive throws in camp and all talks of a quick position change were grossly premature.