Opponent Preview – Miami Hurricanes

Miami Hurricanes
2012 Record: 7-5 (5-3 ACC)

OFFENSE

Scheme: With Jedd Fisch having moved back to the NFL, head coach Al Golden, as we all know, lured James Coley away from FSU. Many viewed the hire as Golden having an eye more toward recruiting than anything else, but Coley does have coordinator experience from his time at FIU. How Coley will blend his preference for a spread, pass-happy attack with Golden’s preference for a pro-style, run-first approach is anyone’s guess at this point. One would assume there will be a blending of the two. One thing that may change, though, is the level of aggressiveness. Fisch was extremely aggressive with downfield passing, trick plays, and the like and Coley may not be.

Quarterbacks: There is reason for optimism with the UM offense and senior Stephen Morris is a big reason why. Morris (3345 yards, 58%, 21 TDs, 7 interceptions) had his ups and downs last year, but in the final four games of the season he threw 11 touchdowns and zero picks. He has the total package: good enough size, big arm, poise, and solid footwork. I have seen him ranked as one of the top five NFL QB prospects, regardless of class, and he has the talent to back it up. Junior Ryan Williams, who many thought might actually beat Morris out last summer, gives the Hurricanes an experienced backup as he was a starter at Memphis before transferring to UM.

Running Backs: Another reason for optimism about this offense? Sophomore Duke Johnson. Johnson (947 yds, 6.8 average, 10 TDs, 27 receptions) was a five-star recruit but might have actually exceeded expectations as a true freshman, showcasing playmaker skills as a runner, receiver, and return man. With great balance and speed, he is poised to have a great career. Depth, however, is less than stellar. Senior Eduardo Clements was a highly regarded recruit, but has never lived up to the billing and is battling injuries. Sophomore Dallas Crawford, a former defensive back, emerged from spring as the #2 guy and has shifty moves, but seems undersized.

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends: Depth is not an issue here where the Hurricanes have a bevy of pass catchers. The receiving corps is deep with junior Phillip Dorsett, sophomore Herb Waters, senior Allen Hurns, junior Rashawn Scott, and true frosh Stacy Coley. Dorsett (58 recs, 842 yds, 4 TDs) is a home run hitter with blazing speed, although he has had issues with drops. Waters (10 recs, 227 yds, 2 TDs) is pushing Dorsett hard for the starting job after a great spring. Hurns (28 recs, 314 yds, 4 TDs) is a dependable possession receiver. Scott (35 recs, 512 yds, 3 TDs) has a great size-speed combo. He was suspended for the final three games last year, but if he stays out of trouble, he could be good. Coley was a top recruit who has won nothing but raves during summer practices.

The Hurricanes have a nice duo at tight end in senior Asante Cleveland and junior Clive Walford. Cleveland has looked great each of the past two springs, only to not match that level come game time. He led to start after spring ball and has the size to, at minimum, be a good blocker. Walford (25 recs, 451 yds, 4 TDs) started five games last year and is a good receiver. He will likely overtake Cleveland at some point.

Offensive Line: A lot of the reason for optimism has to do with this unit. Although the Hurricanes were by no means world beaters on offense, the line improved as the year wore on and returns six players who have started games, including three upperclassmen who have NFL potential in senior RT Seantrel Henderson, senior RG Brandon Linder, and junior LG Jon Feliciano. Henderson has not lived up to his #1 recruit status, but he has shown flashes, including shutting down Bjoern Werner last season. Linder is probably the best player of the group, fundamentally sound and rarely making mistakes. Feliciano needs to improve his conditioning, but he is an excellent run blocker.

The other starters are no slouches, though. Sophomore LT Ereck Flowers started four games last year and appears to be a future star. Strong and with light feet, the coaching staff continuously raves about him. Junior Shane McDermott started all 12 games at center last year, but missed some time in the spring and that allowed senior Jared Wheeler to pull even. McDermott will likely separate again in the summer thanks to his smarts and toughness. Look for junior Malcolm Bunche, who has moved from tackle to guard, to push for time.

DEFENSE

Scheme: Coordinator Mark D’Onofrio followed Golden from Temple, but he has struggled during his time. It isn’t just the scheme by any means, as UM has lacked playmakers, size, and depth. The front seven, in particular, has struggled. The Hurricanes run a pretty no-frills 4-3 and will continue to do so and are hoping that more experience along the defensive line will lead to improvement.

Defensive Line: The defensive line featured a lot of shuffling last year, with just three players on the roster featuring in all 12 games. The coaching staff hopes that this year is better, with a nice mix of experience and newcomers. The Hurricanes are best set at end where starters Anthony Chickillo and Shayon Green return. Chickillo (45 tackles, 6.5 for loss, 4 sacks) is one of the most talented players on the team, featuring a nice blend of size, strength, intensity, and hard work. Green (67 tackles, 2 for loss) has experience and made a lot of tackles for an end, but he does not make many big plays and has had injury problems.

A lot of hope rests with backups David Gilbert, Kelvin Cain, and true freshman Alquadin Muhammad. Gilbert briefly retired from football after suffering multiple foot injuries at Wisconsin, but then decided to give it one more go closer to home. Gilbert, who grew up in Coral Gables, instantly becomes one of the Hurricanes’ best pass rushers and could push for a starting job. Cain (13 tackles) is merely a pass rusher at this point. Muhammad, a four-star recruit out of New Jersey, is undersized, but has serious potential.

UM has a lot of bodies at tackle, but no one person who stands out. Junior Olson Pierre (27 tackles, 5 for loss, 1.5 sacks) has moved from end and could be a breakout star if he holds up at the point of attack. Senior Curtis Porter (9 tackles, 2.5 for loss) has potential, but has played in just 16 career games due to injuries. Classmate Luther Robinson (13 tackles) had a solid spring, but lacks the upside of Pierre or Porter. Sophomores Jelani Hamilton and Darius King were also limited last year, but have the physical tools. Virginia transfer Justin Renfrow, a grad student, was not a standout as a Cavalier, but brings size and experience to the table. JC transfer Ufomba Kamalu, who goes 6-6, 290, is expected to contribute somewhere.

Linebackers: The Hurricanes lost two players who logged starter’s minutes, but return five guys who appeared in at least nine games. That being said, this unit lacks star power and depth and could be troublesome all year. Junior Denzel Perryman (64 tackles, 6 for loss) was an unheralded recruit who has done nothing but produce since his freshman year. Now bigger, Perryman has the range and quickness to excel at WLB if he stays healthy. The other starter on the outside will likely be true freshman Alex Figueroa. The early enrollee exited spring ball as the starter and showed great maturity, both physically and mentally. UM has adequate depth on the outside with sophomore Tyriq McCord (15 tackles, 3.5 sacks), a former defensive end, junior Thurston Armbrister (32 tackles), and senior Tyrone Cornelius (31 tackles, 3 starts).

The greatest amount of competition is happening in the middle, where senior Jimmy Gaines is battling sophomore Raphael Kirby for the starting job. Gaines (57 tackles, 3 for loss, 2 interceptions) is a veteran who is solid and steady, but won’t produce many game-changing plays. Kirby (16 tackles), meanwhile, has the greater upside but might also make more mistakes.

Secondary: The Hurricanes have some young talent here, but the secondary is worrisome, especially after CB Brandon McGee, easily the best player in a mediocre group last year, graduated. The only person who has locked down a starting job is sophomore safety Deon Bush. A six-game starter last year, Bush (34 tackles, 3 forced fumbles) has the physical tools to become a star. His backup, junior Kacy Rodgers (54 tackles), is a big hitter, but lacks the playmaking skills of Bush.

The other starting safety job is a battle between senior A.J. Highsmith and sophomore Rayshawn Jenkins. Highsmith (32 tackles) is a former QB who is steady but doesn’t do anything spectacular. Jenkins is a good all-around athlete who just needs to show better technique and awareness.

The potential at corner lies largely with sophomore Tracy Howard, a former five-star recruit. Howard (17 tackles, 4 pass breakups) oozes potential thanks to his coverage skills and could be a future star. He is currently battling senior Ladarius Gunter for a starting job. A former JC transfer, Gunter (27 tackles, 6 pass breakups) started five games and has great size. The other corner spot is a cause for concern, as it will likely go to sophomore Antonio Crawford, who largely only played special teams last season, and redshirt freshman Nate Dortch, who looked so-so in the spring.

Corn Elder, Artie Burns, and Jamal Carter were all four-star recruits who will be given every chance to earn playing time, either in the secondary or on special teams.

Special Teams: The Hurricanes must break in a new punter and kicker. Luckily, Pat O’Donnell is transferring in from Cincinnati, where he averaged 41.8 yards per punt and earned All-Big East honors twice. Sophomore Matt Goudis was a top recruit who will handle the kicking job. Duke Johnson was dangerous as a return man, but will likely hand duties off to Phillip Dorsett now that Johnson is the feature back.

Schedule: Say one thing, UM is going for the state title, playing Florida Atlantic, South Florida, UF, and FSU this season. The USF and FSU games are on the road and will be tough while the UF game, while at home, seems like a sure loss. The ACC slate isn’t too bad. The road games at FSU, North Carolina, and Pittsburgh might all be losses, but Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech, and Virginia all travel to Miami.

Overall: The Hurricanes are a hard team to tab. They have not featured in many preseason top 25 polls. At the same time, people who look at certain stat metrics, like Bill Connelly, see UM as a top 20-25 team. I like Miami’s potential on offense with a senior QB, star runner, deep WR corps, and what should be a very solid line. The defense, though, looks average at best. The line has some talent, but most of the guys have had injury problems. The LB corps is pretty weak. The secondary is hoping that at least three sophomores (Bush, Jenkins, Howard) take a big step forward this year. If they don’t, the secondary could be pretty bad. The schedule isn’t impossible, but there are only 3-4 games (FAU, Savannah State, Wake Forest, Duke) where UM is almost a sure bet to win. That being said, in my opinion there are only two games (FSU, UF) where I’d say now UM will lose. The rest are toss-ups. The Hurricanes may need to win shootouts, but I think this team could win 9 games. If I had to bet money, though, I’d play it safe and say 8-4, but I think this offense will scare a lot of teams. The defense just may end up letting them down.