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Miami Hurricanes coach Manny Diaz on Monday named redshirt freshman Jarren Williams as the starting quarterback for the Aug. 24 opener against Florida.

Williams earned the nod over redshirt sophomores N’Kosi Perry and Ohio State transfer Tate Martell.

“All three guys showed tremendous improvement and development, which is a credit to their hard work and the work of Dan Enos and his offensive staff,” Diaz said. “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 played in one game last season, completing one pass for 17 yards and running for a 1-yard touchdown against Savannah State on Sept. 8.

“I feel like I’m an elite passer,” Williams said. “I can make all the throws, even in tight windows. What a lot of people don’t know is that I can extend plays with my feet. I’m not a slow guy. I can tuck the ball and get 15 yards. I can make a guy miss, but I am a pass-first guy. I stand in the pocket and trust the pocket and get the ball to my receivers.”

Williams was a consensus four-star recruit in the class of 2018 out of Lawrenceville, Ga.

Diaz said the competition for the backup role will continue over the next couple of weeks.

Perry passed for 1,091 yards with 13 touchdowns and six interceptions in 11 games last season. Martell passed for 269 yards and one score in six games with the Buckeyes in 2018.

–Field Level Media