Position Analysis: Quarterback
Nick Previews Miami’s QBs for the 2007 Campaign
Editor's Note: This is a repost of NickSkin's position previews oritinally posted in our discussion forums. Rather than lose these posts to the pruner, we felt it appropriate to repost them to the front page. Thanks to Nick for all his hard work in developing this series.
Miami's Mike Kokal (6'2" 215 SR) is the returning starter but there should be more competition this season then in years past.
Last season, Kokal started 10-of-11 games during his first season as a starter, passing for 219.9 ypg and completing 14 touchdown passes. However, Mike was sacked more than 40 times behind and injury-riddled and inexperienced offensive line. When he did have protection he showed he can shine and put up big numbers as he did at Purdue early in the season shredding the Boilermakers for 352 yards and four second-half touchdowns.
The players hoping to take Kokal's place this year include Daniel Raudabaugh (6'4" 214 RS Sophomore) who saw action in four games (Purdue, Syracuse, Cincinnati and Buffalo) last season including a game-time starter at Cincinnati, completing 21 of 48 passes for 190 yards and Clay Belton (6'5" 231 Freshman). Belton comes to Miami as its most heralded QB since Ben Roethlisberger. In high school, Clay passed for over 4,400 yards and 44 touchdowns in 2005 and 2006 earning first-team conference accolades as a junior, throwing for 2,700 yards and 30 touchdowns. A broken hand limited him to 1,700 yards passing and 14 touchdowns in 2006.
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