/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-tbt.s3.amazonaws.com/public/CGYC26KJNFFMJEKNUVPR5B4T2Q.jpg "Jarren Williams (right) beat out N'Kosi Perry (left) and Tate Martell to win the starting job at Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)")
The Miami Hurricanes announced Monday that redshirt freshman Jarren Williams will be their starting quarterback in the season opener against Florida in two weeks.
Williams beat out Ohio State transfer Tate Martell and incumbent N’Kosi Perry to earn the job.
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“All three guys showed tremendous improvement and development, which is a credit to their hard work and the work of (offensive coordinator) Dan Enos and his offensive staff,” coach Manny Diaz said through UM. "We believe we can win with all three guys, however, we feel like Jarren has the greatest upside due to his passing ability, his instincts and his determination.”
Williams, 6-foot-2, 210-pound Georgia native, played in only one game (Savannah State) last year but came to Miami as a four-star recruit. Diaz has previously called Williams a “gifted passer” who’s also athletic.
“It means the world,” Williams said of the opportunity. “This is something that I’ve always strived for growing up. It’s been my dream since I was a kid. When I was six years old, I used to sit in front of the TV and watch Michael Vick play. That’s a dream I have always had and I’ve strived for it. Having the opportunity to lead this team is the opportunity of a lifetime and I am going to take full advantage of it.”
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The move was somewhat of a surprise given Williams’ competition. Perry played in 11 games last year and started six times; Martell was a highly touted recruit in high school before leaving the Buckeyes after Justin Fields transferred from Georgia.
Regardless, don’t expect Williams to have a short leash with the job he has just been given. Diaz told reporters in Miami last week that “when we get a guy, we’re going to get our guy, and we’re going to go play with our guy.”
That starts Aug. 24 against the Gators in Orlando.
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