Miami sophomore quarterback Jacurri Brown has not gotten onto the field all season, but he will lead the offense when the Hurricanes take the field at Yankee Stadium to play in the Pinstripe Bowl against Rutgers.
“Great opportunity,” Miami coach Mario Cristobal said. “He’s done really well. You’ve seen him play a couple of different times. He’s got tremendous ability, and the entire team’s behind him. He’s practiced really well. And you couldn’t draw up a better opportunity for a quarterback, right? You’ve got a stage that’s going to be nationally televised against a top-10 defense.”
Although Brown has not played this season, he was thrust into the role as UM’s starter after Tyler Van Dyke transferred to Wisconsin and backup quarterback Emory Williams suffered a season-ending injury against Florida State in November.
Through Miami’s first few practices leading up to the bowl game on Dec. 28, the early returns on Brown have been good.
“He is looking good. He is using all his skill sets to prove himself,” linebacker Francisco Mauigoa said. “I think he’s doing a really good job of throwing the ball, making the right decision. And in practice, he’s just showing intensive focus on his craft. He’s just getting better and better.”
Offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson said Brown’s accuracy has been good and he looks comfortable in the pocket. He said that while Brown is the most talented runner in UM’s quarterback room, he does not expect to change the play-calling drastically for the second-year quarterback. Dawson has previously said Brown is one of the fastest players on the team.
“He’s been great,” Dawson said. “His presence out there, sense of urgency. He is excited to play, and you can see. His body language is great (in) however many practices we’ve had. … I’m fired up for him.”
Brown did get to show his ability during the 2022 season. He played in eight games and started two, picking up his first career win on the road against Georgia Tech. He completed 60 percent of his passes for 230 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions. He also ran for 223 yards.
Although the Hurricanes are looking for a quarterback in the transfer portal, the bowl game will be Brown’s time to shine and work with his teammates. Offensive lineman Jalen Rivers said Brown is progressing with the rest of the team in practice.
“He’s doing good,” Rivers said. “He’s getting better every day, and he’s building that trust with us.”