Last season I was on the phone with my dad in early August when he said "I don't know who in the sam hell any of these kids are on this team." (I may have paraphrased)
Well, when Papa Stein asks, I deliver. Use this document. Print it off, highlight it, keep it with you....LEARN it. It will make your watch experience easier and better, especially those first few games. Without further ado, Miami Hurricanes Football for Dummies 2.0:
QB
Guys That
Left: No One
Key
Returners: Stephen Morris (#17), Ryan Williams (#11)
Key
Additions: Kevin Olsen (#19)
Prognosis: Morris
comes in to the season as a favorite for ACC Player of the Year and dark horse
Heisman Trophy candidate. He set records against NC State in Week 5 last
season, throwing for 550+ yard and 5 touchdowns, and closed the season out on a
non-interception streak of 190 passes. To say the least, I am excited about his
second full season as the starter. Morris has already mastered James Coley’s
offense, and not much is expected to change on the schematic front from what
was done last season. Morris has become the leader of the team, as
evidenced by reports of forcing teammates to join him on the field in driving
rain storms during the summer to practice their timing. Williams is a
serviceable backup, but he offers nowhere near the explosion that Morris brings
to the table. If Morris were to miss action for some reason, expect the fans to
start calling for Olsen, the hotshot recruit who is expected to redshirt.
Question
That Needs Answering: Can Morris be more consistent in big games? Stephen
got better as last season went along, but most of his numbers were put up
against subpar teams. In order to be a contender, Miami needs him to tighten up
his decision making in big games, as well as work on his touch passing. When
Morris is in a rhythm, there is no one better. At times last season he fell out
of his groove, however, and the offense predictably got mired during those
stretches. His two most obvious struggles last season were against Notre Dame
and Kansas State, where he let early miscues (both self-inflicted and caused by
others) affect his later performance. He is now expected not just to improve,
but play like a franchise quarterback in every game, including against the
Gators and Seminoles. The physical tools are all there, and so are the
intangibles; however, like all quarterbacks, he will be judged by the on field
product. The difference between 8-4 and a trip to the Sun Bowl and 11-1 and a
trip to the ACC Title Game most likely will be #17.
RB
Guys That
Left: Mike James
Key
Returners: Duke Johnson (#8), Dallas Crawford (#25), Maurice Hagens
(#33), Eduardo Clements (#23)
Key
Additions: Gus Edwards (#7)
Prognosis: Duke
Johnson is one of the 5 most electrifying players in college football, period.
He is a threat in every way, and looks to come back stronger after going
through his first college weight training program over the winter. He is a
Reggie Bush – level impact player, and barring injury will be a superstar. The
rest of the roster is far less a sure thing. Hagens returns as the fullback,
and in Coley’s new offense could see more carries, especially in short yardage
situations. The main backup figures to be Crawford, a versatile jitterbug who
is more quick than fast but is exciting when he has the ball. Clements is a
solid ballcarrier who has a nose for the first down marker, but missed most of
last season with a neck injury and is no sure thing to ever return to the
player he once was. Edwards is a powerful freshman runner; he has the physical
tools to contribute early, so what he does this season will be determined by
how well he learns the scheme.
Question
That Needs Answering: Can someone consistently spell The Duke? Johnson is
many things, but he ain’t big. He runs hard, and I don’t think he is nearly as
brittle as his size on the roster would have you believe. However, the brutal
reality of the running back position is that even the best guys get dinged up.
Crawford is really more of a utility guy than featured runner. He will
certainly get carries, but he is more effective when used as a runner, slot
receiver, etc. Clements is an injury question mark. Hagens is not explosive
enough to be an every down running back on a consistent basis; he is the hammer
you use in situations. Edwards is the most intriguing of the backup options. He
reminds me of Le’Veon Bell from Michigan State, another big, downhill runner
with athleticism. If he steps up, the depth at the position goes from a
question mark to a potential strength.
WR
Guys That
Left: Davon Johnson, Kendall Thompkins
Key
Returners: Phillip Dorsett (#4), Rashawn Scott (#80), Allen Hurns (#1),
Malcolm Lewis (#9), Herb Waters (#6)
Key Additions: Stacey
Coley (#3)
Prognosis: This is a
really talented group. Davon Johnson’s ability to find a seam on third down will be
missed, but the talent at this position is very encouraging. Because Dorsett
and Scott played such large roles last season, people forget that it was the
first for each as a primary weapon. Both look to make major strides after
enjoying successful, uneven sophomore campaigns. Hurns is Old Faithful, and has
great chemistry with Morris. Look for him to be the primary possession receiver
and a reliable Red Zone guy. Lewis and Waters both showed flashes of major
ability last season. If Lewis is fully recovered from a major ankle injury last
season (the one that spawned the Al Golden Hug), he might be the most well
rounded receiver on the squad. Waters has been much buzzed about this spring
and summer, and is the breakout candidate. He scored two long touchdowns
against USF and Duke to close last season. Coley is the freshman phenom. Talent
wise, he might be the best receiver to come in to the program since Tommy
Streeter. He might not get a ton of snaps right away, but I would be shocked if
he did not make his impact felt before the season is over. This is an
embarrassment of riches at a position where only 6 guys will be on the travel
roster.
Question
That Needs Answering: Who is the Alpha Dog? Dorsett is the team’s fastest
player and was the main guy last year.
Hurns is more reliable when healthy and deceptively good after the
catch, but he seems to get dinged up every year. Scott is the most well
rounded, as his size allows him to do some things that Dorsett can’t and he is
better built than Hurns. However, he struggles with drops at times and Golden
wants more consistency out of him. As the season goes on, expect Scott to come
on. Lewis, Coley and Waters all have the talent to grow in to the role, but
they seem more like supporting players this season. My best guess is that Dorsett
will emerge as the primary receiver, given his physical tools and rededication
following a late season suspension. However, I do not see him having a
Hankerson / Streeter type of year, as there are just too many mouths to feed
and only one ball to feed them with.
TE
Guys That
Left: No One
Key Returners:
Clive Walford (#46), Asante Cleveland (#82), Jake O’Donnell (#88)
Key
Additions: Beau Sandland (#85), Standish Dobard (#5)
Prognosis: Walford
stepped up down the stretch last season, and creates interesting mismatches. For
as much as his lack of footspeed is discussed in the message board world, he
always seems to find a way to get yards after the catch, and at the end of the
day that is most important. After many fans left him for dead, he has become a
reliable threat at the position, especially in the flats (SHAMELESS PLUG: I
ALWAYS LOVED HIM). Sandland is a JUCO transfer whose recruiting tape was one of
the most amazing I have ever seen at the position. If he gets the blocking
down, he will play major snaps and be a Red Zone weapon. Cleveland is the
ultimate Greentree All American. I have moved past relying on him to do
anything productive and will wait until he shows me something before devoting
anymore thought toward him. O’Donell moves over from the D-Line and impressed
during the spring; if Cleveland does his usual Witness Relocation Program act,
look for the redshirt freshman to steal some snaps. Dobard is huge and talented
but is a likely redshirt candidate.
Question
That Needs Answering: Can they be consistent? As much as I love Walford, his
career has been filled with some pretty maddening drops. Sandland Hype has
reached Shockey levels, but he has not done it at this level yet, and a
learning curve is to be expected. Cleveland…I’m just going to pass. O’Donnell
is young and new to the position.
OL
Guys That
Left: Jeremy Lewis, Ben Jones
Names to
Know: Brandon Linder (#65), Seantrel Henderson (#77), Shane
McDermott (#62), Malcom Bunche (#79), Ereck Flowers (#74), Jon Feliciano (#70),
Jared Wheeler (#75)
Prognosis: This is the
strength of the team. Linder is the anchor of the line at right guard.
Henderson will be the right tackle and has apparently cut out all the
surrounding bullshit; he has lost weight and rid himself of off field
distractions, gearing up for one final season. If he plays to his potential, he
will be a first or second round draft pick. McDermott is the center and a
damned good one. Feliciano is a mauler at guard that can swing to right tackle
in a pinch; he is the most underrated player on the team and an absolute pit bull.
Bunche was the starting left tackle all of last season but is facing an uphill
battle to hold off Flowers for the same position this year. Bunche saw time at
all 5 OL positions in the spring and will most likely serve as the 6th
Man to start the season, as the primary backup at all 5 positions. Flowers is a future first round pick and a
rare talent. All 6 of these players saw starting time and major snaps last
season, and for the first time in a decade, the O-Line is a source of pride in
Coral Gables. Wheeler will be a backup at the 3 interior positions; Golden and
Kehoe love his toughness.
Question
That Needs Answering: Can they get a yard when the chips are down? That is
the true measure of any offensive line. For as big and tough and experienced
and talented as this group is, they got pushed around at times last season. If
Miami wants to be a legitimate threat on a national scale this season, that
cannot happen again.
DL
Guys That
Left: Darius Smith
Key
Returners: Anthony Chickillo (#71), Shayon Green (#51), Olsen Pierre
(#91), Curtis Porter (#96), Luther Robinson (#93), Earl Moore (#72), Dwayne
Hoilett (#97), Jelani Hamilton (#99), Corey King (#67)
Key
Additions: Ufomba Kamalu (#90), Al Quadin Muhammad (#98), David Gilbert
(#11), Justin Renfrow (#78)
Prognosis: This unit
is the team’s biggest question mark. At defensive end, Chickillo is solid, but
the jury is out on whether he is a dynamic pass rusher or merely a high motor
guy that can anchor against the run and get 6-8 sacks a year. The other
projected starter is Green, who did not register a sack last season and is in
his 5th year of eligibility. Green is a leader and a high character
guy, but he should never be starting for the Miami Hurricanes; injuries have
simply robbed him of too much flexibility and burst. Hamilton was a highly
touted recruit that has the ability to get after the passer from the strongside
defensive end position or slide inside to tackle at 285 lbs; he missed the
spring with a knee injury but has looked much improved in fall camp, going head
to head with Feliciano on more than one occasion and holding his ground.
Muhammad is a monster recruit who is still skinny (6’4”, 230 lbs) in the lower
body but should be able to provide some pass rush ammo right away. David
Gilbert is the big wild card. He was an All Big Ten pick at Wisconsin as a
senior before transferring for his final year of eligibility. He has had foot
issues, but if he is ready to go he could make a big impact in the pass rush as
an experienced pass rusher at a big time level. Word out of camp is that he
will play and, more importantly, make plays this season. Expect the Top 4 to
open the season to be: Chickillo and Green as starters, with Gilbert, Muhammad
and Ufomba Kamalu getting major snaps. Hoilett redshirted last season. He was
brought in to get after the passer, and could make some noise this season as a
situational player.
At tackle, Pierre, Robinson and Porter must anchor the middle
in order for this line to reach its full potential. Pierre came on down the
stretch and looks like the first real dynamic defensive lineman to be developed
at Miami under Al Golden; he also is getting major looks at strongside end.
Porter is explosive and the defense noticeably improved once he rejoined the
team against Virginia Tech last season. A full season of him would be the most
important development of the season for this defense. Robinson is an able pass
rusher from the inside and could even play some defensive end. Virginia
transfer Renfrow, JUCO transfer Kamalu and returning letter winners Moore and
King will compete for the 4th and 5th spots in the DT rotation;
Kamalu can and will also play strongside end in big fronts. Renfrow is
particularly intriguing as a run clogger at 6’6”, 310 lbs, with 4 years of
experience playing ACC football; he will be in the mix. In an ideal world,
Moore and Hamilton would be able to get the redshirts this season that he
should have gotten last year. The Top 3 will be Porter, Pierre and Robinson,
with Renfrow likely the 4th guy and Hamilton sliding inside in
packages…look for Moore and King to get involved if Pierre starts seeing major
time at end.
Question
That Needs Answering: Can they get to the God damned quarterback for fuck’s
sake? I mean, REALLY?!
LB
Guys That
Left: Eddie Johnson, Gionni Paul, Gabe Terry
Key
Returners: Denzel Perryman (#52), Jimmy Gaines (#59), Raphael Kirby
(#56), Thurston Armbrister (#34), Tyrone Cornelius (#31), Tyriq McCord (#17),
Kelvin Cain (#94)
Key
Additions: Alex
Figueroa (#36), Jermaine Grace (#5)
Prognosis: The depth
at this position took a hit with the loss of the Goon Squad, all 3 of whom were
booted for team rules violations.
SIDENOTE: WHY EDDIE, WHY?!?!?!
Perryman is a certifiable stud who says, with his added
weight, that he feels “like a wrecking ball.” Gaines is the leader of the group
and knows the defense like a coach. He got better as last season went on, and
he and Kirby figure to battle all season for the middle linebacker job.
Figueroa was the star of the spring on defense as a true freshman that enrolled
early, and has prototypical size already at 6’3”, 235 lbs. His tape out of high
school screams “head hunter”, and he could go a long way toward mitigating the
loss of Johnson; he will compete with Armbrister and Grace. Grace is a skinny
freshman who reminds a lot of people of Sean Spence. Cain is a senior who can
rush the passer off the edge.
Question
That Needs Answering: Is there enough depth? The Top 4 will be solid, but
after that there is a sharp dropoff. Grace is small and inexperienced at this
level, although he should be an immediate improvement in pass coverage. McCord
will figure in to this group but mostly as a pass rusher…combine him and Grace
and you have a dynamic linebacker. Armbrister is young and with new added
weight will push for snaps all season. Cornelius is a special teams / nickel
guy, although his added weight could enable him to play an extended role.
JaWand Blue is the next guy up, and he has a while to go after redshirting last
season. After that, it is a bunch of walk-ons / guys who could use a redshirt.
Health is vital at this position.
DB
Guys That
Left: Brandon McGee, Vaughn Telemaque
Key Returners:
Tracey Howard (#3), LaDarius Gunter (#37), Antonio Crawford (#21),
Reyshawn Jenkins (#26), Deon Bush (#2), A.J. Highsmith (#30), Kacy Rodgers
(#22), Larry Hope (#7), Nate Dortch (#35)
Key
Additions: Artie Burns (#1), Jamal Carter (#6)
Prognosis: This
position is filled with youth but also has a lot of talent on the roster.
Gunter, Crawford and Howard will be the Top 3 corners going into the spring,
but look for Burns, an athletic marvel of a freshman, to work his way on to the
field early. Rodgers and Highsmith are the veterans of the crew, but neither is
particularly talented. Bush is the best player in the secondary and made his
impact felt as a freshman last season, as did Jenkins down the stretch as a
center fielder. Carter is another freshman who will see the field at some
point, and could be the best of the bunch. Hope and Dortch are young corners
that will most likely see special teams action and mop-up duty.
Question
That Needs Answering: Who can replace McGee? McGee emerged as a legitimate
#1 corner last season, and now the burden will fall to the youngsters. Howard
was compared to Joe Haden out of high school, and has the potential to be the
best all around. Gunter is the best size-speed combo with any sort of
experience. Crawford is the fastest corner, except for maybe Burns, who is the
dark horse to emerge early. All four will play, but the top dog will be the one
who is able to respond best to adversity. As for the safeties, look for the
youngsters to phase out the veterans as the season moves along, with Bush
becoming the true leader of the defense if he can stay healthy.
K/P
Guys That
Left: Jake Wieclaw, Dalton Botts
Key
Returners: Matt Goudis
Key
Additions: Patrick O’Donnell, Austin Barnard
Prognosis: Botts and
Wieclaw were unsung heroes of our team last year. The loss of Botts will be
mitigated by the addition of O’Donnell, a transfer from Cincinatti who will
play in the NFL and looks like Megatron. Google it if you don’t believe me.
Goudis was shaky in the spring but good in the fall and will handle kickoffs.
Barnard will be the replacement if either falters.
Question
That Needs Answering: I am not doing this for kickers.