Miami QB Brad Kaaya has new outlook after rocky 2015

10:48 AM ET

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Brad Kaaya threw for more than 3,000 yards last season. He finished second in the league in passing. He threw a league-low five interceptions.

These are all notable accolades for a quarterback. But last season was not notable in any way for Kaaya or Miami. The quarterback fought through a serious concussion at the same time coach Al Golden was fired, and Kaaya felt rattled once he returned to play.

Miami made a bowl game despite the turmoil but flopped in the snow with the game on the line against Washington State to close out an 8-5 season. Kaaya describes 2015 as a roller coaster ride.

“We were from the highest highs to the lowest lows — we had been to hell and back, honestly,” he said.

Brad Kaaya is working hard to acclimate himself to Mark Richt’s playbook, but they could form a dangers combo come fall. Doug Murray/Icon Sportswire

But there is a brighter outlook now, with new coach Mark Richt in charge. Kaaya could not be in a better situation.

He returns as a third-year starter, a savvy veteran with a skill set perfectly suited for what Richt wants to do. Kaaya is arguably the second-best quarterback in the ACC behind Deshaun Watson, and he could be a first-round pick in 2017 should he choose to leave early.

When Richt had elite quarterbacks at Georgia, he had his most successful seasons. He has an elite quarterback now, and that is the biggest reason why expectations have started to climb for Miami.

“I just want to win,” Kaaya said recently. “Good quarterback play helps winning.”

Kaaya has been good his first two seasons with Miami, the best quarterback the Canes have had in more than a decade. But being good has not been enough. Especially with constant distractions swirling around the program.

When Miami arrived at its home stadium …

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