Miami QBs Taylor Cook and Cannon Smith to transfer
Posted: Tue Aug 25, 2009 4:00 pmhttp://www.palmbeachpost.com/sports/con ... 825um.html
By JORGE MILIAN
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
CORAL GABLES — The University of Miami will play the 2009 season with only two scholarship quarterbacks on the roster.
Taylor Cook and Cannon Smith, who were battling for the No. 2 job behind starter Jacory Harris, have decided to transfer and are awaiting their release from UM.
Coach Randy Shannon was not immediately available for comment.
"I had to make a career choice," said Cook, a redshirt freshman from Eagle Lake, Texas. "Some things happen. I have all the respect in the world for coach Shannon and (offensive coordinator Mark) Whipple but I had to make a decision about my future and that's the choice I made."
Smith, a sophomore who played in one game last season, said he told Shannon of his decision following Monday afternoon's practice.
"I thought about it and came to a decision I thought was in my best interests," said Smith, from Memphis, Tenn. "It's time to move on. There are no sour grapes. I have nothing but good memories about this place. But this is what is best for me."
With Cook and Smith departing, the Hurricanes will open the season on Sept. 7 against FSU with Harris and true freshman A.J. Highsmith as the only scholarship quarterbacks on the roster.
"They took it well," Cook said of UM's coaches. "They understand. I appreciate the opportunity they gave me, but this is best for me."
Both quarterbacks said Shannon was "surprised" with their decision, but cordial.
Cook and Smith are the second and third quarterbacks to transfer from Miami since January. Robert Marve, the starter in 11 games in 2008, left UM in January and transferred to Purdue.
Cook was named the backup to Harris following spring practice, but Shannon said following Monday's practice that the No. 2 job was "wide open."
Cook said those comments did not play a role in his decision.
"It's been a couple of weeks that I've been thinking about this," Cook said. "It's time to move on and play somewhere else."
Smith said he had already been contacted by "a bunch of people" from Division I-A schools. Smith said he expected to visit a few schools before coming to a decision.
"I have a lot of good options." Smith said.
Cook declined to say where he might end up.
Smith said he was aware that Cook was considering transferring, but that the two quarterbacks never discussed their plans in detail.
"While both of us were here, we were both trying to give this team everything we had," Smith said. "Through camp, all I had been thinking about was playing here and helping this team.
By JORGE MILIAN
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
CORAL GABLES — The University of Miami will play the 2009 season with only two scholarship quarterbacks on the roster.
Taylor Cook and Cannon Smith, who were battling for the No. 2 job behind starter Jacory Harris, have decided to transfer and are awaiting their release from UM.
Coach Randy Shannon was not immediately available for comment.
"I had to make a career choice," said Cook, a redshirt freshman from Eagle Lake, Texas. "Some things happen. I have all the respect in the world for coach Shannon and (offensive coordinator Mark) Whipple but I had to make a decision about my future and that's the choice I made."
Smith, a sophomore who played in one game last season, said he told Shannon of his decision following Monday afternoon's practice.
"I thought about it and came to a decision I thought was in my best interests," said Smith, from Memphis, Tenn. "It's time to move on. There are no sour grapes. I have nothing but good memories about this place. But this is what is best for me."
With Cook and Smith departing, the Hurricanes will open the season on Sept. 7 against FSU with Harris and true freshman A.J. Highsmith as the only scholarship quarterbacks on the roster.
"They took it well," Cook said of UM's coaches. "They understand. I appreciate the opportunity they gave me, but this is best for me."
Both quarterbacks said Shannon was "surprised" with their decision, but cordial.
Cook and Smith are the second and third quarterbacks to transfer from Miami since January. Robert Marve, the starter in 11 games in 2008, left UM in January and transferred to Purdue.
Cook was named the backup to Harris following spring practice, but Shannon said following Monday's practice that the No. 2 job was "wide open."
Cook said those comments did not play a role in his decision.
"It's been a couple of weeks that I've been thinking about this," Cook said. "It's time to move on and play somewhere else."
Smith said he had already been contacted by "a bunch of people" from Division I-A schools. Smith said he expected to visit a few schools before coming to a decision.
"I have a lot of good options." Smith said.
Cook declined to say where he might end up.
Smith said he was aware that Cook was considering transferring, but that the two quarterbacks never discussed their plans in detail.
"While both of us were here, we were both trying to give this team everything we had," Smith said. "Through camp, all I had been thinking about was playing here and helping this team.
