OXFORD, Ohio— What did one-on-one reps and 11-vs.-11 team period have in common at this morning's Miami Football practice?
 
Well, Deion Colzie was covered...and then he wasn't.
 
In both segments, Colzie ran textbook routes —complete with juke moves that completely fooled his defender and left him wide open— before pulling in easy touchdown catches. 
 
The 6-4 redshirt senior from McDonough, Ga., who transferred in from Notre Dame this January, might be the definition of 'sneaky fast.'

 
"A lot of people see a tall, lanky guy and they don't really think I have any speed until I get up on you – then it's a different story!," Colzie laughed later. "I was able to play really fast and really clear-minded [today]; I'm still learning the offense, just like some of the incoming freshmen, so sometimes I'm a little slow to react on some things…
 
"But I was just able to use my quickness…fly around, have fun and play fast."
 
In addition to the touchdowns, Colzie got loose to pull in several other catches along the right sideline this morning, and just missed making a couple other highlight-reel grabs on deep throws. Head coach Chuck Martin is excited about the potential that Colzie (who played all 16 games for last year's CFP runner-up) brings to the RedHawks' offense in 2025.
 
"He has senior experience: He's played in big games and played in a national championship game," said Martin. "Obviously he's a big target…a big, strong outside guy who can do all the jobs [in our offense.]"
 
"He's super-talented," offensive coordinator Pat Welsh added. "He has incredible tools, he's long, he's fast, he catches the ball, he's really smart and he's physical…
 
"He has a unique skill set, and when he's on and our quarterbacks are on, it's going to be a unique combination."
 
Colzie said getting on the same page with new quarterback Dequan Finn in preseason practices, even going back to spring ball, has been 'pretty easy' so far. "We always get extra work in, obviously, and work on that timing and connection," Colzie commented. "I ask him where he wants me to be, and vice versa. We always try to find a way to have a middle ground, and I think it's going well so far.
 
"I can't wait to keep it going!"
 
Miami is scheduled to practice again on Saturday morning, August 16 in Oxford for the RedHawks' annual 'Kickoff with the Community.' Fans are invited to attend – click here for more information.
 
 
INSIDE SLANT: The RedHawks worked quite a bit on the timing of the passing game today, including a drill where one Miami receiver at a time ran an unguarded route 10 to 15 yards downfield to catch a ball from the quarterback. On the best and most crisp reps, the ball was thrown exactly as the receiver was starting his break.

"We try to simulate everything so it's game repetition speed and timing: For that route, that's his third read in the progression. It's a slower-developing route," Welsh explained. "So the quarterback should go through his first two reads and then be throwing that ball on the cut. Then as the receiver is coming out of his break, he's feeling the ball on him right away. That's why we tell them, 'Don't lead him. Put it right on him!'…
 
"The timing always depends on what the route is, where it is in the quarterback's progression, and how that times up with the quarterback's drop."
 
 
LOOKING OUT FOR NUMBER ONE: Finn has been as good as advertised since joining the RedHawks via the transfer portal during the offseason. The 2023 MAC MVP, who put up 88 touchdowns with Toledo en route to back-to-back division titles, brings a dangerous dimension to the Red and White's offensive gameplan this fall.
 
"Dequan's been the best player in our league…we're trying to meld our offense into what he does really well, and that's big plays," said Welsh. "He's a big play waiting to happen every play, with his arm, his legs and his smarts.
 
"He just has to be himself, and we have to be really good around him. When he extends plays, then we've got to be in positions to help him out…
 
"He's picked up our offense in seven months, which is incredible. The timing with our receivers is great, the rapport with our tailbacks and all of our run game progression stuff is great: He just has to be himself and who he is."
 

EYEBALL EMOJI: Wide receiver Ryan Sims has had a nice week of practice, and the redshirt sophomore from Chicago continued his strong play with a difficult touchdown catch in a team period this morning. Sims twisted to pull in a tough throw in the end zone, helping highlight another solid day for the Miami offense. 
 

PLAY OF THE DAY: Although Josh Ringer got stood up about a yard and a half from the end zone this morning, the offense would not be denied, as the entire unit pushed and shoved on the pile to help Ringer surge over the goal line. The sea of humanity propelling Ringer forward even included quarterback Thomas Gotkowski, in what might be considered a reverse version of the Philadelphia Eagles' patented 'tush push' (where the quarterback is usually the push-ee, not the push-er!).
 
 
'SPECIAL' INTEREST: Miami has historically had stellar special teams play under Martin, and don't be surprised if that continues in 2025. Standout moments from this morning included Kellan McLaughlin drilling a 54-yard field goal and Lynel Billups-Williams racing downfield to down a punt less than two yards from the pylon.
 
Part of Martin's recipe for special teams success is not being afraid to utilize his top players in that phase of the game. "It's hard to make first punt team," Martin yelled this morning during one special teams period to motivate his squad. "If you make first punt team, we trust you more than anyone else on the team."
 

After practice, he elaborated on that idea (and the 'why') behind his approach: "If you look who's on the first punt team, it's our best football players on our team. Those are the guys…
 
"Punt team is hard, and if you get punts blocked, you lose games. So you put your best, most trustworthy guys out there."
 
 
SNEAK PEEK: One of the highlights of camp every year is 'Kickoff with the Community,' which is scheduled for this Saturday morning, August 16 and gives Miami fans a chance to get a look at the 2025 RedHawks. Doors open at 10 a.m., with the team scheduled to take the field around 10:30 and practice expected to begin at approximately 11:15.
 
"Hopefully you see our offense put on a show," Welsh said as he previewed the event, which traditionally features a good amount of offense-vs.-defense scrimmage reps. "You should see an offense that has a ton of energy, flies around, plays fast, and tries to hit big plays – Run game, pass game, doesn't matter."
 
Fans "are going to see a hard-working team," Colzie added. "They're going to see us compete, see a lot of big plays both on offense and defense, and see a team that's ready for this upcoming season."
 
 
Season tickets and single-game tickets are on sale now! Call (513) 529-4295 for more information. Miami Football will host its annual Kickoff with the Community on Saturday, Aug. 16 at Yager Stadium. Gates open at 10 a.m.; more information is available here.

Miss a RedHawk Report? Catch up on fall camp with our daily MiamiRedHawks.com notebooks: Aug. 13  | Aug. 12  |  Aug. 9  |  Aug. 7  |  Aug. 6  |  Aug. 5  |  Aug. 2  |  July 31  |  July 30  |  July 29