Is Jacurri Brown Miami’s Top Quarterback Prospect?
In the game against Rutgers, what qualities did Jacurri Brown exhibit?
For Mario Cristobal and the Miami Hurricanes coaching staff, redshirt-freshman quarterback Jacurri Brown offers both hope and uncertainty following last week’s disheartening 31-24 loss to the Rutgers Scarlet Knights.
What an exciting performance by Brown! It makes you wonder how the Canes would fare if they started him at quarterback in 2024. Brown possesses the athleticism, arm strength, and ability to complete tough passes that the Hurricanes football program desperately needs. Here are two questions to get you started on evaluating Brown and his quarterbacking abilities.
Is next season the year Brown finally breaks through? After what seems like an eternity, would he ever mature into a top-tier signal-caller?
Those are just two examples of the many other questions to which many distinct solutions could be proposed. To put it mildly, quarterback play is intricate. With that, here’s a review of Brown’s strengths and faults as a quarterback by solely looking at the Rutgers game.
First off, it’s evident that when Brown follows to his passing techniques he’s a decent passer. Not over or under-striding, a compact follow-through, etc. The finish of the second quarter drive is an example of Brown confidence in his passing skill, the players around him, and the coaching provided.
Watching him pick apart the Rutgers secondary, as well as being in tune with slot receiver Xavier Restrepo, and connecting with Isaiah Horton, cannot be underestimated. Examining the drive further offers a clearer picture of Brown’s ability when he’s in a groove.
Starting from Miami’s own 10, Brown has the precision to connect with three straight out passes to Restrepo that kickstart the drive. Rutgers did not take away the outside passes, but Brown smartly kept taking the easy yards.
Then, locating Horton in a moment when the Canes must acquire yardage to help move into a better field position for a likely field goal is a terrific sign that he does not just lock upon one person.
During the eight-play, 73-yard drive, Brown’s throwing figures include going 4 of 5 passing, and 35 yards. That lone incompletion is Restrepo’s touchdown being overruled. That’s vital info as well.
At that point in the game, Brown’s confidence is something that had to be sky-high. Touch when needed, precision across the board, and good timing with Restrepo and Horton. Those are big-time quarterback skills any Miami fan could gladly get behind. That also implies one must analyze the disastrous drives Brown led, such the ones listed here.
During the combination of third and fourth-quarter drives, Brown and the Canes gained just 26 yards from 12 plays, all three drives ending in punts. Brown did not demonstrate the same accuracy and overall playmaking skills during those drives. Reverting to an inexperienced quarterback who lacks confidence perhaps? Hard to say for sure.
Overall, Brown’s efforts versus Rutgers would be only the ninth time he’s been playing quarterback at the college level. There’s still plenty for Brown to learn before anyone fully understands how excellent he can be, and his passing statistics help underscore that point.
Brown goes 20 of 31, 181 yards, 5.8 yards per attempt, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception. Then, there are Brown’s attributes as a runner to consider about if he’s going to be Miami’s future quarterback.
It’s valuable to recognize that he’s a true dual-threat quarterback. Brown’s quickness and moves benefit the Canes anytime his number is called or if he simply decides to take off. Few other collegiate quarterbacks combine the stature, arm, and athleticism of Brown.
Versus Rutgers, his running ability ends up with Brown rushing 15 times for 57 yards, a 3.8 average, and 2 touchdowns; that includes sacks working against his totals. Brown definitely needs more consistency as a quarterback overall, but the physical talent to run the football is not a worry.
In summary, might Brown be Miami’s 2024 quarterback? Yes, he could. Would it likely be an ideal scenario? Not likely. For one, this is simply a peek at him from one contest. It’s an interesting starting point nonetheless. Soon there will be more clarity regarding what occurs with Miami and Brown moving ahead.
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