by Jorge Milian
What is it with Randy Shannon and quarterbacks?
Since Shannon took over for Larry Coker two years ago, the Hurricanes have experienced more drama at the position than you used to get in a season’s worth of ER.
Of the seven scholarship quarterbacks who have played for Shannon, four have left by way of transfer.
It started in 2007 when Kirby Freeman and Kyle Wright (unhappily) shared the quarterback duties. Freeman was handed the starting job to open the season but played so poorly that Shannon was forced to go with Wright, who, to put it mildly, was not one of the coach’s favorite players. Freeman ended up getting pushed out and transferred to Baylor, where he played in 2008.
Last year, UM’s quarterback situation was even more dysfunctional. No matter how poorly Robert Marve played or how well Jacory Harris performed, Marve remained the starter and Harris was cemented in as the No. 2.
As we all know, Marve ended up leaving UM in a burst of acrimony that rivaled episodes of the old TV show Divorce Court.
Now we have the exodus of Taylor Cook and Cannon Smith. Neither had a realistic chance of unseating Harris any time soon, but their unexpected departure leaves the Hurricanes’ precariously thin at the position.
If Harris goes down — an increased possibility in a 12-game regular season — UM will have to go with A.J. Highsmith, a true freshman with less than 20 college football practices on his resume.
Can you imagine Highsmith stepping onto Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, Va., as the starter against Virginia Tech on Sept. 26? More – PalmBeachPost.com
