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Miami tight end Brevin Jordan loves Hurricanes’ new offense: ‘We’re all over the field’

Count the the Miami Hurricanes’ tight ends as another position group fired up over new offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee’s no-huddle, speedy spread.

“What’s so exciting about this offense is the fact that multiple players can be successful,’’ University of Miami tight ends coach Stephen Field said Friday night in a Zoom videoconference. “It’s a high-powered, fast-paced offense. It’s not going to be pinpointed on one individual guy. So, everybody knows if they work hard they have an opportunity to get the ball in their hands.

“It influences these guys to go super hard — from the running back position to the tight end position to the receiver position. They all have that opportunity.’’

After one week of fall camp, Field said that Lashlee’s offense will diversify the playmaking in both the pass and run game.

“He makes it to the point where these kids can understand exactly what’s going on, and it’s fun to them,’’ Field said. “He’s all about making sure the things are done right, the small details. These kids want to play for him, and that’s something that’s really standing out. He builds relationships with guys. It’s exciting to see, man.’’

Field said that Brevin Jordan, who also spoke Friday and has returned to practice after missing the last four games of the season with a foot injury, looks “really, really good.’’

Jordan, one of three 2019 Mackey Award finalists, was his usual upbeat self and said he was excited about the new offense.

“They use us in a way that we’re all over the field,’’ said Jordan, who despite the injury, finished the season with 495 receiving yards and two touchdowns on 35 catches.. “We’re outside, we’re in the slot, we’re in the backfield, we’re lined up on the line. We’re adjusters, that’s our position. Coach Lashlee loves to throw the ball to us. He loves to just get the ball to guys in space and let them go to work. That’s what’s so great about his offense.’’

Will Mallory, also on the videoconference, agreed the new offense “really opens up and uses the athletes we have on this team.”

“I consider our tight end room extremely athletic, and it really opens up for us to make plays, run around and be the athletes that we are.

“It will showcase what we do at a high level and high pace.’’

Classes begin

Classes begin Monday at Miami, which the players obviously know and which has likely been emphasized by coach Manny Diaz and his assistants.

Translation in the age of coronavirus: Wear your mask, stay away from people who don’t, practice extraordinary hygiene and get back to your Miami Hurricanes bubble so-to-speak as soon as possible.

Diaz has been making the rounds on radio and television shows and on Zoom videoconferencing mostly with local beat writers, saying how well his players have done. No Hurricanes athletes have tested positive during the past three COVID-19 tests, UM president Julio Frenk said this week.

“They’ve heard all the narratives about when the students are coming back,’’ Diaz told the Hochman and Crowder show. “...From our standpoint, at least we somewhat have a say in this. If we keep our numbers to where they’ve been then we will have an opportunity to play a football season. And I just think what’s cool is at least they’ve been given a chance. Le’s see if they can do it right.

“But you know, we do live in Miami. To be honest we’ve all seen the numbers of Dade and Broward county through June and July. And luckily those numbers are now trending in a positive direction. While those numbers were not in a good direction our numbers were in a good direction.

But it doesn’t matter. “You’re only as good as your next test and our guys are well aware of that.’’

Changing approach?

Channing Crowder, a former Miami Dolphins linebacker, asked Diaz if, in light of the unknown regarding the virus, he has changed his approach in terms of playbook installations.

“It’s been changing every day,’’ Diaz said. “Obviously football programs are built on routine and schedule and everything this year has gone out the window.

“The one thing that was advantageous and unique to other years: They gave us two weeks of walk-throughs before starting training camp last week. That at least let us get back. We were able to use the indoor [facility] and we’d keep masks on. But that at least let us get back and not in a full-speed tempo when we start to go through the installs. You had one crack at the installs.”