And at the number 6 spot on my list is….
#6 University of Miami’s Brad Kaaya- Los Angeles, California native Brad Kaaya has been the Canes starter the past two seasons and has improved every year year. Kaaya possesses the talents capable to be one of the best QBs in the nation. He has great arm strength and can throw with touch. In both his freshman and sophomore seasons, Kaaya threw for over 3000 yards total. In his sophomore season he threw for 16 touchdowns and only six interceptions. Kaaya is not a QB that will too much damage on the ground but likes to make his plays from within the pocket. And with new head coach Mark Richt, Kaaya will definitely have his chances to throw the ball around the field in 2016. But let’s take a look back at some of the notable games from Kaaya’s 2015 season. And what all these three games have in common is that Brad Kaaya bounced back after a loss.
In his October 17th matchup against Virginia Tech, he and his team came into the game after suffering a close loss to in-state rival Florida State the week before. So coming into the game the Canes had an extra motivation to win this week. Kaaya threw 63.3% on 30 passes, threw 296 yards and also two touchdown passes. And most importantly the Canes got the win 30-20. And Kaaya’s two touchdowns passes could not have come at better times during the game. His first touchdown was to give the Canes the lead right after Virginia Tech tied it with a field goal. And his second touchdown pass to WR Rashawn Scott was the go ahead touchdown pass. But his next game was even better bounce back game than this one.
In the Clemson game, Brad Kaaya got taken out of the game due to a concussion and the Cane ended up losing to the Tigers big 58-0. Kaaya’s concussion made him miss the following game against Duke when the Canes needed a miracle kickoff return to win the game. So coming into his November 7th matchup against Virginia, he came back with a great game. He went 76.9% on 26 passes, threw for 286 yards, and also two touchdowns and one interception. He out-dueled UVA’s Matt Johns for the 27-21 victory. In this game Kaaya had his season’s best QBR of 187 and his season high in completion percentage. And at his next home game he gave his senior’s a great parting gift.
On his last home game of the season, he played Georgia Tech. Kaaya and the Canes beat the Yellow Jackets 38-21. In this game, Kaaya and the Canes rebounded from their 59-21 loss to North Carolina. He threw for 300 yards and one touchdowns. And he had a QBR of 90.5, which was his season’s high. Kaaya even marched his offense 97 yards down the field for a score in the second quarter.
Kaaya’s season was good year but it is definitely not a great season for a QB of his caliber. He led his team to a 8-5 record. His 2016 season looks like it will be his breakthrough season maybe a 3600 yard, 30 touchdowns, and less than 12 interceptions. This season is the best time for Miami to have a really good season. I could definitely see the Hurricanes getting to the ACC Championship game in December. Maybe a dark horse in the College Football Playoff. But Miami’s season is definitely on the shoulders of QB Brad Kaaya.
