Later today, I depart for the coast, where I will get my first crack at a job in the entertainment industry. Therefore, we will get straight into the linebacking unit as I break down every player on the roster.
LINEBACKERS
Last Season
Sean Spence emerged as the best player on Miami’s roster despite his lack of size. The last season of the Glenn Cook era was seen, and although there were frustrating moments, the quality of the linebacker corps was much improved. Cook and Romeo Davis graduated (sigh of relief).
Roll Call
Daryl Sharpton, Senior
Sharpton is short and squat. He hits hard and makes plays from time to time, but not as consistently as one would like. He is the favorite to start at middle linebacker (Mike), and I am not sure I like that. The upside is that he has been in the system for long enough to know it well
and put people in the right formations. The downside is that he is a day slow and a dollar short too often, and I am tired of middle linebackers not being able to blow up plays. Last year it was understandable, as Cook served as a calming influence to the young linebackers. This year, the corps is older and everyone needs to pull their weight. Pencil in Sharpton as the starting Mike.
Colin McCarthy, Junior
McCarthy is a beast at linebacker when healthy. He plays with speed and passion and thumps ball carriers. He is also a special teams demon who is out to hurt people when blocking. However, he has missed significant time due to injuries throughout his career. If he can stay on the field, he would be my pick to move to the middle and run the defense for the next two seasons, allowing Spence and Arthur Brown to roam the outer thirds of the field and make plays. However, it appears likely he will start at weakside (Will) and only play the Mike at times.
Kylan Robinson, Junior
Robinson is a career backup who I think should have been made in to a hybrid fullback-tailback in the Quad Hill mold. He instead was tried at tailback and then moved to linebacker. The hope is that he can at least contribute on special teams and hold his own at strongside (Sam) linebacker if called upon.
Sean Spence, Sophomore
Spence will start at Sam because of his ability to stop the run, blitz and cover tight ends. Spence made a number of highlight-worthy plays last season and has become the leader of the defense. He will be a lynchpin of the defense. In anticipation of a possible future move, Spence will also play some Mike this season as Shannon tries to get his three best ‘backers on the field.
Arthur Brown, Sophomore
Brown is maybe the most talented linebacker on the roster. He is currently the backup Mike. There is no doubt that he has the physical ability to be a star; the question is whether or not he is able to handle the mental load of being the leader of the defense in the huddle. I think it is FAR too early to label him a bust, and that his talent is just too evident to keep off of the field. It is also worth keeping an eye on whether McCarthy and Spence taking snaps in the middle leads to Brown moving to Sam, where his pure athleticism plays better.
Ramon Buchanon, Sophomore
Buchanon is a thumper who moved from safety to linebacker in the offseason. He played sparingly on special teams and in blowouts last season, but has gotten good reviews since moving closer to the line. He will be a backup to start this season but could be a very solid starter in two months.
Jordan Futch, Freshman (Redshirt)
Futch is a physical specimen but a bit of a project. He is certainly talented, but his inconsistency is all that is keeping him off the field. On his good days he is great, but those days are too infrequent. He is athletic enough to play tight end, but the hope is that he will play solid special teams this season while providing depth at Will before challenging for a starting job next season.
C.J. Holton, Freshman (Redshirt)
Holton is a great athlete who, like Buchanon, is a hitter that was moved from safety. He has a bright future but will mostly play special teams this season as he learns the defense from his new spot.
Shayon Green, Freshman
Green is a high intensity freshman who may play defensive end but is being tried at middle linebacker first. He will probably redshirt.
PREDICTION
Spence will be the best of the group, but the question is who the other four to receive significant playing time will be. Sharpton and McCarthy are the frontrunners to start, and Brown and Buchanon will most likely be the top two backups. Ideally, the starting lineup will end up being Spence, Brown and Buchanon by the end of the season with McCarthy the top backup. The days of the Bermuda Triangle at linebacker are not yet back, but they are getting closer.
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