Miami Hurricanes: 15 Things to Take Away from Football Media Day

Jacory Harris' thumb healed. So did the defensive line.

Suddenly, the top-ranked recruiting class of 2008 has developed into upperclassmen.

Lack of experience is no longer an excuse. Neither is turnover.

The University of Miami football team held its first practice on Thursday morning, and select players and head coach Randy Shannon spoke to the media.

Expectations are high for the Hurricanes, who have yet to reach an Atlantic Coast Conference championship game since joining the league in 2004.

Can that change this year in Charlotte?

Here are 15 things that came out of the almost two-hour long session.

Competition's the Name of the Game

It's a crowded backfield in Miami. Things are jammed packed on the defensive line.

But that doesn't mean the players are shying away from the pressure and competition.

"We’re competing in everything we do" senior running back Graig Cooper said. "I love the challenge."

Head coach Randy Shannon said that although the majority of people in the room believe senior Damien Berry to be the frontrunner to start at running back, the other guys will push him.

"Depth makes everyone better, work harder," he said.

Junior center Tyler Horn reiterated the sentiment.

"At the end of the day it’s all about competition," he said.

Back on the Field

Poised for a good sophomore season, defensive end Adewale Ojomo missed its entirety with a broken jaw.

When a walk-on punched him in the jaw while in the locker room six days into camp, he had his mouth wired shut for six weeks. 

Ojomo lost 45 pounds and dropped to 215. He couldn't eat solid foods, especially his favorites, steak and ribs.

"I think we learned not to let things to get to that point where a guy has to sit out a whole season," Ojomo said. 

Now, he can't wait to get on the field and play opposite senior defensive end Allen Bailey.

"I think it’s going to open up a lot of doors for us, while he’s double-teamed and we’re one-on-one," Ojomo said.

Tired of the ACL Talk

Senior running back Graig Cooper has seen the clip countless times. 

He has heard the question a "million times a week."

Will Cooper be ready to play when the season starts Sept. 2 after tearing his ACL in the Champs Sports Bowl?

"I just try to make it short and sweet. I get tired of it, I’m not going to lie," he said. "I’m just ready to get on that field so everybody can stop asking me.

As he starts to practice with limited pads, Cooper didn't always believe he'd make it back on the field. 

"I had my doubts at first, but then I said I got to just pick my game up and don’t let it put me down because then I’ll never get back," he said. "I thought deeply about it and when I heard like 10 people who had the same injury say you come back even stronger and faster, that motivated me a whole lot."

With a stacked backfield that includes senior running back Damien Berry, redshirt freshman Lamar Miller, sophomore Mike James, and freshman Storm Johnson, Coop is just happy to be a part of the unit.

"We’re loaded. We’ve got running backs who can do it all," Cooper said. "Each back brings something different to the table. This is the most loaded we’ve been since I’ve been here."

The Latest Celebrity

Not only is senior Allen Bailey one of the top prospects for the 2011 NFL Draft, but he is a freak of nature at 6-4, 285 pounds.

Last season, Bailey moved around the defensive line because of injuries to multiple players, and still managed to record seven sacks.

Despite his success, he wants to improve by working on his pass rush, run-game ability, and hands. 

Back at his regular end position, Bailey still tries to get used to all the attention he receives from adoring fans.

When he got back from ACC media days in North Carolina, a Publix worker ran him down to ask for a photo and autograph.

Students request that he flex his muscles for them in Facebook-worthy photos.

"I enjoy it," Bailey said. "It’s hard work and it shows." 

Position Change

Senior linebacker Kylan Robinson gets his last shot at a position he switched to following his redshirt freshman season.

Previously a running back, he made the move to better the team because of the lack of depth.

"At first it was rough, but over the years I’ve learned that the small things make the big picture come together," he said. "Just learn the defense and come in and get as much work in with the coaches to get better."

Head coach Randy Shannon said that Robinson has surprised him at middle linebacker, but things could change when scrimmages start.

"I think all the guys come together and really want to learn and are hungry and want to get on the field," Robinson said of the newcomers. "I think depth will be one of our best friends this year."

Academics First

Redshirt senior cornerback Ryan Hill experienced his share of off-the-field problems.

Now a veteran who is working toward his master's degree, he gives advice to the newcomers.

"Whether I go play in the NFL or get a job, I don’t want to leave without an education and that’s something I try to tell the young guys no matter what you’re going through," Hill said. "I went through that in my early years, but everybody has the ability to succeed."

This week, the Center for Research on Sport in Society announced that Randy Shannon ranks third among all active Division I football coaches with a career Academic Progress Rate of 977.

Shannon said that University of Miami President Donna E. Shalala and athletic director Kirby Hocutt ask him whether an incoming student-athlete can graduate.

If not, he doesn't play at Miami.

"We are defining what it means to be a student-athlete at the University of Miami," junior wide receiver LaRon Byrd said. "I believe that we have some of the best athletes in America and I know we also have some of the smartest students.

"Our job is to be successful in the classroom and on the field and I'm proud of our program and my teammates for achieving at such a high standard."

More Than Just a Kicker

Senior placekicker/punter Matt Bosher did it all last year.

He nailed 14 of 16 field goals, averaged 42.5 yards per punt, made both the All-ACC First and Second Team, recorded six tackles, and recovered his own onside kick.

Asked whether the University of Miami treats kickers differently than other programs, Bosher agreed. 

The May 2010 graduate said that former Hurricanes Carlos Huerta, Todd Sievers, and Jon Peattie enjoyed their time in Coral Gables.

"They were always well-liked and had a lot of respect from the coaching staff and guys who came through here," Bosher said. "I think they’ve shown with their work habit on and off the field that they can earn that respect. I think that it is unique. In other schools, kickers are just somebody on the side. Here, it’s different."

If Bosher has another solid season, he might join the ranks of UM's all-time great kickers.

Surprise Players

According to Adewale Ojomo, junior offensive lineman Harland Gunn is the strongest guy on the team.

"He works very hard and he’s very intelligent," Ojomo said. "He picks up all his calls."

Last season, Gunn started five of 13 games at right guard. 

Ojomo also listed junior linebacker Jordan Futch, sophomore defensive lineman Curtis Porter, and senior cornerback DeMarcus Van Dyke as players to look out for.

"He plays with a lot of passion," Ojomo said of Futch. "He’s just a football player and he has great football instincts."

After seeing time on special teams in last year's first five games, Futch missed the rest of the season with a torn ACL. Porter played in eight of Miami's final nine games. Van Dyke collected his first interception last year.

No Twitter for Randy Shannon

When asked why he doesn't tweet like Urban Meyer and other head coaches, Randy Shannon said he's an old-fashioned guy.

"I do better with parents, kids one-on-one," he said.

He also cleans up his players' Twitter and Facebook accounts when they might say something they would regret later on.

It's all part of looking out for his players "five years ahead, when they look for jobs." 

All About Finishing

Head coach Randy Shannon started his opening statement by saying that he was proud of the long-term gains that the University of Miami football program has made.

From the tough non-conference games to the added depth at certain positions, the main goal is to "finish."

By that, he meant improving upon the overtime loss to Clemson and the blowout loss at Virginia Tech.

Shannon said there isn't a certain win total to aspire for, just an ACC championship.

The New Jeremy Shockey

Head coach Randy Shannon compared junior transfer Chase Ford to former UM tight end Jeremy Shockey.

The Second Team Junior College All-American is a 6-5 player with good hands who wasn't recruited out of high school.

He was the SWJCFC MVP with a conference-high 32 receptions and 545 yards.

After last year's success with Jimmy Graham and Dedrick Epps, can lightning strike twice?

Expect Ford to compete for playing time with redshirt senior, and locker room leader, Richard Gordon.

Injuries Can Be a Good Thing

Junior quarterback Jacory Harris missed all of spring practice with torn ligaments in his right thumb.

After the beating he took during the 20-14 loss to Wisconsin in the Champs Sports Bowl, it actually proved to be a good thing for the Hurricanes.

According to head coach Randy Shannon, since Harris couldn't take the field, he practiced footwork, spent more time with offensive coordinator Mark Whipple, and watched hours of film.

It also gave backup quarterbacks A.J. Highsmith, Stephen Morris, and Spencer Whipple snaps with the first and second-team offense.

"I'm most proud of becoming a leader," Harris said. "I talk now. I would never bring a player down. It's always positive."

The Big Man

Former USC recruit Seantrel Henderson finally donned the orange and green for the first time Thursday morning.

Miami's heat and humidity beat down on the offensive lineman, who stands at 6-8, 330 pounds, for the first time. He also met his new teammates.

One of them, junior center Tyler Horn, can't wait to play with him.

"It’s going to take him a awhile to get acclimated and he hasn’t had a chance to do anything yet," Horn said. "As camp goes on we expect some big things from him."

When junior quarterback Jacory Harris was asked what he knew about the newest addition to protect him, what he had to say got the room laughing: 

"All I know is he's huge."

Mentally Tough

Tying into what he said in regards to the team finishing, head coach Randy Shannon wants the Hurricanes to be mentally tough.

He points to the loss at Virginia Tech as a perfect example of Miami heading into the game with a 2-0 record and losing its cool when it got down early.

This summer, the offensive line and defensive line worked together at 5:30 a.m.

"It’s probably not the same as around the country, but it’s different work, it’s hard work, it’s Miami Hurricane work," senior defensive end Allen Bailey said. "What can I say? You’ve got to be here to see it."

ACC Title or Bust

Since Miami joined the Atlantic Coast Conference in 2004, the Canes have yet to reach the Atlantic Coast Conference championship game.

Head coach Randy Shannon opened up the press conference by saying that the two-game improvements were encouraging, but that the goal was to reach Charlotte.

The only way to get to a BCS bowl game is by winning the conference.

"We’ve got some young talent, but we’ve also got some senior leadership," senior defensive end Allen Bailey said. "The sky’s the limit. The potential is there. The talent’s there."

"We’d be disappointed because that’s what we’re working towards right now. It’s a process. We take each week-by-week, game-by-game to get to an ACC Championship."

Senior running back Graig Cooper agreed.

"Sometimes I sit back and say we have too much talent on this team," he said. "We just need to all come together and make sure we stay together and we should do it this year."