Malik Rosier named starting quarterback for Hurricanes

Richt says N'Kosi Perry, Cade Weldon 'will continue to learn and compete'

Malik Rosier on the first day of practice for the Miami Hurricanes, Aug. 1, 2017, in Coral Gables, Florida. (Wilfredo Lee/AP)

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The Miami Hurricanes are going with experience over youth at quarterback this season.

Head coach Mark Richt named redshirt junior Malik Rosier the starter Tuesday.

Recommended Videos



"Malik has been named the starting quarterback," Richt said. "(Redshirt sophomore) Evan (Shirreffs) is currently No. 2 on the depth chart. The young guys, N'Kosi Perry and Cade Weldon, will continue to learn and compete."

Rosier has appeared in 13 games with one career start in a 30-27 win at Duke in 2015. He completed 20-of-29 passes for 272 yards and two touchdowns against the Blue Devils.

"He did stand out above the rest," Richt told reporters after making his decision. "It wasn't an unbelievable amount, but it was apparent that he was having the best camp."

Richt said Shirreffs was also playing well, but he "felt like there was enough of a difference to feel comfortable that Malik is the guy."

Rosier has thrown for 370 career yards and two touchdowns. He's also rushed for 63 career yards and a score.

Shirreffs has yet to play in a game in his two seasons on campus.

"Evan is a great competitor," Richt said. "Anytime you don't get what you're fighting for, it's tough. I thought he handled it like a champion."

Richt said he told Shirreffs to keep competing.

"Last year, trying to decide who No. 2 was, that thing changed about three times throughout the season," Richt said.

Perry was the crown jewel of Richt's 2017 recruiting class. The dual-threat quarterback from Ocala was expected to compete with Rosier, Shirreffs and Weldon for the starting job.

Weldon is the son of former Florida State quarterback Casey Weldon, who was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy in 1991. His father played for Richt, who was then offensive coordinator for the Seminoles.

"I loved the competition," Richt said. "They all gave their best. They all did it like gentlemen. I think they all showed they're capable of running the system and being the starting quarterback here."

The 18th-ranked Hurricanes open the season Sept. 2 at home against Bethune-Cookman.