Miami OC Shannon Dawson Offers First Quarterback Recruits

Now that Miami offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson has started to settle into his role, he’s been on the lookout for top signal callers to add to the roster.

Just yesterday, two of the top signal callers in the country were extended chances to continue their football careers in Coral Gables.

First up, a player Dawson was no doubt already very familiar with, as the signal caller comes from the Lone Star State where the new offensive coordinator for the Canes last coached.

Marcos Davila plays for Midland (Texas) Lee, one of the famed prep programs in Texas. He’s a mix of a gunslinger that will throw into tight windows combined with a quarterback that’s familiar with the wide-open passing concepts that Dawson has employed in the past, including his last stop at Houston.

Super blessed to receive an offer from THE U 🙌🏽 @CoachDawson_UH @coach_cristobal @CoachDanny10 @BenjaminRivals @GabyUrrutia247 @CoachMurch324 @Hartman3Clint pic.twitter.com/O9P8vXdeJc
— Marcos Davila (@marcosdavila05) February 20, 2023

Although he committed to TCU this past Dec. 22, it did not stop Dawson from offering Davila. That fact should be kept in mind as Dawson essentially made a statement that he wants the best at Miami no matter their current commitment status. There's good reason for Dawson going after Davila despite the recruiting hurdle with TCU.

Davila is planning a spring visit to Coral Gables, among other places, he told All Hurricanes Tuesday. He spent time in town camping at The U before emerging as a Power Five QB recruit.

The 6-foot-3 and 200-pound passer’s arm strength showed on film. Davila made several passes that he could not truly step into his throw and the velocity was more than capable of making it to the receiver in time, and several of those passes were over 20 yards down the field.

He displayed precision passing within the quick-throwing offense he operated, similar to what Dawson ran at Houston as well. Davila showed why he should be considered a true football player, too.

Davila would take off and run to pick up yardage in the run-pass option game. That’s something that would work well within Dawson’s system.

The other signal caller that was offered on Monday was Jake Merklinger from Savannah (Ga.) Calvary Day School. He’s a traditional big-armed signal caller that could play in practically any passing-friendly offense.

#AGTG Excited to have received an Offer from the University of Miami!! #GoCanes @coach_cristobal
@CoachDawson_UH pic.twitter.com/W48u0diGhh
— Jake Merklinger (@JakeMerklinger) February 21, 2023

From a recruitment standpoint, Merklinger has seen his offer list explode of late. The four prior offers to Miami were North Carolina -- where he already took an unofficial visit thereafter -- Louisville, Auburn, and two-time defending national champion Georgia. Other offers of note include Tennessee, Florida, Ole Miss, Arkansas, Mississippi State, Pittsburgh, North Carolina State, and Michigan State among others.

From his junior film, Merklinger completed several passes that were well covered by defensive backs, but his accuracy while drilling a pass to his receiver was even better. He made short, intermediate and deep ball throws that were on the money as well.

Being able to complete passes to all three levels of the field -- and do so naturally -- are a must for the Air Raid Offense.

Further, like Davila, the 6-foot-3 and 190-pound Merklinger showed the arm strength to complete passes down the field where he could not completely step into his throws due to the oncoming pass rush.

Merklinger also operated the run-pass option game well and was not afraid to get dirty. He has good speed as well.

Now that Dawson has made a couple of offers to top 2024 signal callers, the two talented quarterbacks being pursued by the Hurricanes showed two traits that Canes fans should note.

One, each of the two passers came from passing-friendly offenses where the scoring chances ran through the signal caller’s right arms. That’s precisely what Dawson allowed Houston quarterback Clayton Tune to do the past three seasons, as detailed in yesterday’s article regarding incoming Miami quarterback Emory Williams.

Second, it’s especially important to remember that Dawson’s version of the Air Raid has not been the same as the original that came with coaches like Mike Leach and Hal Mumme; Dawson's version of the Air Raid allowed for quarterbacks to run much more.

All Hurricanes will follow the quarterback recruiting situation closely this spring, and there will be an article later this week with an overall look at Miami’s current quarterback depth chart situation.

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