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One name that should be on that list is Donovan Warren but the fact that he's a true sophomore is prolly hurting him.
¹ 2008 Spring Football/Summer Workouts (updates) ©
- Thread in 'Sports & Training' Thread starter Started by gunna get it,
- Start date
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chung sucks.
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First Team Pac-10. I guess they were biased towards that highly acclaimed Oregon D though . .
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Pause?
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Chung Byrd and Thurmond
oregon VS washington can't come soon enoughhh
oregon VS washington can't come soon enoughhh
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- Nov 4, 2003
I have never been a huge fan of Sam McGuffie but the talk around AA is that he is coming in to play right away. A beast in the weightroom and is very athletic.I was very upset that Michigan chose to go after Sam over Darrell Scott but I am really excited to see what Sam can do. He and Barwis are becoming real close.I think Barwis will get his body right so that he won't get injured and he will be doing some good things for Michigan this year.
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Brandon McGee has reportedly made his decsion, but will not announce until 8/11.
Said it will be a surprise...
If this _ goes to USF....
That means they would have take 2 kids who at one time or another were top 5 on our CB board....
Said it will be a surprise...
If this _ goes to USF....
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- Nov 5, 2005
Originally Posted by dreClark
Brandon McGee has reportedly made his decsion, but will not announce until 8/11.
Said it will be a surprise...
If this _ goes to USF....That means they would have take 2 kids who at one time or another were top 5 on our CB board....
I don't think you have to worry about USF...he said he's down to FSU, OSU, Miami, Tenn and UNC. I don't see him leaving the state of Florida.
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- Apr 24, 2005
And Ole Miss....
If ****# Davi$ snatches him after he snatched Marvin Au$tin...
If ****# Davi$ snatches him after he snatched Marvin Au$tin...
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tOSU picked up ..yup their 24th Commitment a few days ago.. I think they have 4 more schlorships, poss now 5 since cliffard is all but gone...
http://dottingthei.com/index.php/longo-makes-it-24/
http://dottingthei.com/index.php/longo-makes-it-24/
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Good stuff..at least better than Mark May and Co.
http://content.nowlive.com/shows/278...1215567996.mp3
http://content.nowlive.com/shows/278...1215567996.mp3
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scott wasnt going to Michigan anyways so u would be even more mad now that you miss out on scott and McGuffie
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Another good interview by Phil Steele
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"keep in mind that Notre dame was in major Bowl games in 2005 and 2006"
**Turned Interview off... **
**Turned Interview off... **
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[table][tr][td]Coach: Joe Paterno (372-125-3 in 42 seasons). | Staff
In 2007: 9-4 overall, 4-4 in Big Ten (tied for fifth in league) |
Highlights
Returning starters: Offense-7. Defense-8. Special teams-2. (NOTE: Tight end Andrew Quarless and linebacker Sean Lee also would be returning starters, but Quarless is suspended indefinitely and Lee suffered a knee injury during spring drills and will miss the season.) | Depth Chart
Key losses: Offense-WR Terrell Golden, RB Rodney Kinlaw, QB Anthony Morelli. Defense-LB Dan Connor, CB Justin King.
Final 2007 Rivals.com ranking: 27th | Complete Final 2007 Rankings[/td] [td]
[/td] [/tr][tr][td]2008 Breakdown: Offense | Defense | Special teams | Coaching | Schedule | Depth Chart[/td] [/tr][/table]
http://OFFENSE
THE SCHEME: Since Galen Hall took over ascoordinator in 2004, the offense has gotten more complex and varied after having grown stale and predictable. There is talk of the Nittany Lions using a spreadscheme similar to the one Hall used so well in 2005 with Michael Robinson at the controls. Expect power running to remain a staple of the attack, but Hallneeds to make maximum use of one of the Big Ten's most talented receiving corps, too.
[table][tr][td]
[/td] [td]
[/td] [/tr][tr][td]
[/td] [/tr][tr][td]Derrick Williams is part of a talented group of Penn State wide receivers.[/td] [/tr][/table]STAR POWER: DeonButler arrived on campus as a walk-on defensive back. Now a senior, Butler is one of the Big Ten's top receivers. He's neither big nor fast, butButler is a reliable target whose attention to detail makes him stand out. Last year, he caught 47 passes for a team-high 633 yards with four TDs. MakingButler more dangerous is that he's surrounded by talented wide receivers Derrick Williams and Jordan Norwood, which means defenses often overlook him.
IMPACT NEWCOMER: Sophomore EvanRoyster is a capable tailback, but he won't keep defensive coordinators awake at night. Redshirt freshman Stephfon Green will. Green is a go-the-distance back, possessing the type of speed notseen in these parts since Ki-Jana Carter. If Green learns the nuances of pass protection and develops patience behind his blockers, he could be a revelation asa playmaker.
IT'S HIS TIME: Guard StefenWisniewski is a true sophomore and the only new starter on the line. But staffers feel he may be Penn State's best blocker. Wisniewski is a powerfulrun blocker who plays with a nasty streak. And check out these bloodlines: Wisniewski's father, Leo, was a star defensive lineman for the Nittany Lionsfrom 1979-81 who played four years in the NFL. Uncle Steve was a two-time All-American at Penn State (1985-8
and an eight-time All-Pro with the Raiders.
STRONGEST AREA: For much of this decade, the line was a soft spot. No more. This may be the best front wall in the Big Ten, thanks to thereturn of four starters. Pick a position, any position, and you'll find an all-league candidate. It all starts with squatty-but-powerful center A.Q. Shipley, an All-Big Ten honoree in 2007. Senior guardRich Ohrnberger is a mauler, while the tackle tandem ofGerald Cadogan and Dennis Landolt is without peer in the conference.
WEAKEST AREA: The offense looks set except for one teensy problem: Who will be the quarterback? Daryll Clark and Pat Devlin are the contenders to replace the much-maligned Anthony Morelli. Each ismobile, capable of scrambling and executing the option play that figures to be a key weapon in the spread look. Devlin gets the edge as a passer, butClark's experience and athleticism may give him the edge.
OVERVIEW: The last time Penn State used a spread was 2005. That's also the last time the Nittany Lions were an elite team. They went11-1, won the Big Ten and beat Florida State in the Orange Bowl. The components are there for this offense to be as good as that '05 edition, whichaveraged 421.5 yards and 34.4 points. There's potential at tailback, a strong line and a standout receiving corps. That means it all will come down to howwell the quarterback plays.
[table][tr][td]
[/td] [/tr][tr][td]
3
[/td] [/tr][tr][td]That was the number of road losses last season, against two wins. That continued a trend this decade that has seen the Nittany Lions go 13-25 on the road. The only season Penn State had a winning road record was in its 11-1 Orange Bowl season of 2005, when it went 3-1.[/td] [/tr][/table]
GRADE: B.
http://DEFENSE
THE SCHEME: This is a dyed-in-the wool 4-3 alignment that has thrived on controlling the line of scrimmage and letting linebackers makeplays. The Nittany Lions aren't blitz-happy, but they keep foes on their toes with a variety of packages within the scheme. The secondary also features anice mix of coverages, with a knack for disguising looks.
STAR POWER: Junior end Maurice Evansemerged as a pass-rusher deluxe last season, earning first-team All-Big Ten accolades. He had 12.5 sacks, 21.5 tackles for loss and 54 tackles. He also had55-yard fumble return for a touchdown. Evans, from Brooklyn, N.Y., is on his way to cementing a place alongside recent great Nittany Lions defenders such asCourtney Brown and LaVar Arrington.
IMPACT NEWCOMER: Tackle Devon Stillhurt a knee last season and redshirted as a true freshman, but he impressed in spring drills. He has a great combination of speed and size, and the potentialto be one of Penn State's best inside forces since Jimmy Kennedy.
[table][tr][td]
[/td] [td]
[/td] [/tr][tr][td]
[/td] [/tr][tr][td]Defensive end Maurice Evans heads in to the 2008 season as one of the nation's best at his position.[/td] [/tr][/table]IT'S HIS TIME: Free safety AnthonyScirrotto has much to prove coming off an uneven junior season that was followed by a suspension from the team for an off-campus incident. Now a senior andteam captain, Scirrotto hopes to go out with a bang and recapture his All-Big Ten form of 2006. His leadership will be vital on a veteran defense that muststay focused. He is one of three returning starters in the secondary, though Tony Davis has moved from strong safety to cornerback.
STRONGEST AREA: You won't find a better line in the Big Ten - and maybe in the nation. Twelve players who saw action last season upfront are back. The end duo of Evans and Josh Gaines isformidable, and Aaron Maybin is a terror off the bench.There are myriad interchangeable parts at tackle, headed by standout junior Jared Odrick, who was terrorizing foes until an injury ruined his season. Keep an eye ontouted redshirt freshmen Still and Kevion Latham. Thetackle ranks will be even stronger if Chris Baker andPhil Taylor return from suspensions - which isexpected.
BIGGEST PROBLEM: There are some worries at linebacker with Dan Connor gone and standout Sean Lee out for the season after hurting his right knee in the spring. Lee ranked secondin the Big Ten in stops last year and was the next great one at Linebacker U. That's a cue to Chris Colasanti to emerge at middle linebacker. He was one of just a handful of truefreshman to play for Penn State in 2007. Tyrell Sales andBani Gbadyu provide a good foundation for a linebackingcorps that teems with potential. Navorro Bowman will seeample time if he is reinstated after his suspension.
OVERVIEW: This defense will be nasty. Yes, there are questions at linebacker with Lee - who some scouts feel was better than Connor - outfor the season. But this is Linebacker U. They'll get something figured out with coordinator Tom Bradley pulling the levers and pressing the buttons. A boffo line will set the tone, with asolid secondary closing the deal on the back end.
GRADE: A.
http://SPECIAL TEAMS
Penn State is looking good here. The return game has Williams (punt) and cornerback A.J. Wallace (kickoff), who each can go the distance. Junior Jeremy Boone was a revelation in 2007, leading the Big Ten in punting after joiningthe team as a walk-on. Kicker Kevin Kelly is back for afourth season. He's Mr. Reliable from inside 40 yards, but beyond that, all bets are off.
GRADE: B+.
http://COACHING
JoePa keeps on ticking, entering his 59th season at the school as either an assistant or head coach. The living legend has had a staredown with the schoolbrass, which would like some resolution as to how much longer he will coach. Paterno, 81, won't budge or agree to a succession plan. The bottom line isthis: Paterno's contract ends at the end of 2008, and he'll be coaching on a year-to-year basis as he continues his pursuit of Florida State'sBobby Bowden in the quest to be college football's all-timewin king (Bowden leads 373-372). Paterno is little more than a figure head these days, buffeted by an astute collection of assistants led by Bradley and Hall.Offensive line coach +!*! Anderson has been a loyal solider formore than 30 years to Paterno. Defensive line coach LarryJohnson is a killer recruiter, while linebackers coach RonVanderlinden is one of the best in the business.
GRADE: A
[table][tr][td]
[/td] [/tr][tr][td]DATE[/td] [td]OPPONENT[/td] [/tr][tr][td]Aug. 30[/td] [td]Coastal Carolina[/td] [/tr][tr][td]Sept. 6[/td] [td]Oregon State[/td] [/tr][tr][td]Sept. 13[/td] [td]at Syracuse[/td] [/tr][tr][td]Sept. 20[/td] [td]Temple[/td] [/tr][tr][td]Sept. 27[/td] [td]Illinois[/td] [/tr][tr][td]Oct. 4[/td] [td]at Purdue[/td] [/tr][tr][td]Oct. 11[/td] [td]at Wisconsin[/td] [/tr][tr][td]Oct. 18[/td] [td]Michigan[/td] [/tr][tr][td]Oct. 25[/td] [td]at Ohio State[/td] [/tr][tr][td]Nov. 8[/td] [td]at Iowa[/td] [/tr][tr][td]Nov. 15[/td] [td]vs. Indiana[/td] [/tr][tr][td]Nov. 22[/td] [td]Michigan State[/td] [/tr][/table]
http://SCHEDULE
Can you say "layup"? That's what the first four games are. Anything short of a 4-0 start will be a disappointment. The Big Ten menu isdifficult. The Nittany Lions open Big Ten action at home against Illinois. A loss to the rising Illini, and it's not crazy to think Penn State could gointo a protracted tailspin as they enter a tough five-game stretch that includes this monster three-game stint: at Wisconsin, vs. Michigan, at Ohio State. TheWolverines have been an especially troublesome foe, having won the past nine in the series. And a season-ending visit from Michigan State never is a treat.
http://OUTLOOK
There is ample reason to rev up your RV and follow the winding road to State College. This team will be good - really good if the quarterback playstabilizes. There is an understated resolve to this veteran team after two disappointing seasons and a spate of off-field issues. And don't discount thecantankerous Paterno. He'd love nothing more than to stick it to his bosses to show he still has it. At the least, Penn State should play in a"good" bowl. And the Nittany Lions could win the Big Ten.
[img]http://vmedia.rivals.com/images/creative/bhale/content/header/conhead_depthchart_30.jpg[/img]
[table][tr][td] [table][tr][td]OFFENSE[/td] [/tr][tr][td]QB[/td] [td]Daryll Clark, 6-2/231, Jr.
Pat Devlin, 6-4/222, Soph.[/td] [/tr][tr][td]RB[/td] [td]Evan Royster, 6-1/212, Soph.
Stephfon Green, 5-10/189, R-Fr.[/td] [/tr][tr][td]WR[/td] [td]Deon Butler *, 5-10/168, Sr.
Brett Brackett, 6-6/235, Soph.[/td] [/tr][tr][td]WR[/td] [td]Derrick Williams *, 6-0/194, Sr.
James McDonald, 6-2/198, Jr.[/td] [/tr][tr][td]WR[/td] [td]Jordan Norwood, 5-11/171, Sr.
Graham Zug, 6-2/176, Soph.[/td] [/tr][tr][td]TE[/td] [td]Mickey Shuler, 6-4/251, Jr.
Andrew Quarless *, 6-5/252, Soph.[/td] [/tr][tr][td]LT[/td] [td]Gerald Cadogan *, 6-5/314, Sr.
Nerraw McCormack, 6-5/292, Sr.[/td] [/tr][tr][td]LG[/td] [td]Rich Ohrnberger *, 6-2/291, Sr.
Johnnie Troutman, 6-4/318, R-Fr.[/td] [/tr][tr][td]C[/td] [td]A.Q. Shipley *, 6-1/297, Sr.
Mike Lucian %, 6-2/290, Sr.[/td] [/tr][tr][td]RG[/td] [td]Stefen Wisniewski, 6-3/288, Soph.
Mike Lucian *, 6-2/290, Sr.[/td] [/tr][tr][td]RT[/td] [td]Dennis Landolt *, 6-4/309, Jr.
Lou Eliades, 6-4/309, Jr.[/td] [/tr][tr][td]K[/td] [td]Kevin Kelly *, 5-7/164, Sr.[/td] [/tr][tr][td]KR[/td] [td]A.J. Wallace, 6-1/188, Jr.[/td] [/tr][/table][/td] [td] [table][tr][td]DEFENSE[/td] [/tr][tr][td]DE[/td] [td]Maurice Evans *, 6-2/264, Jr.
Eric Latimore, 6-6/262, R-Fr.[/td] [/tr][tr][td]DT[/td] [td]Jared Odrick *, 6-5/308, Jr.
Chris Baker *, 6-2/305, Jr.[/td] [/tr][tr][td]DT[/td] [td]Ollie Ogbu, 6-1/292, Soph.
Phil Taylor, 6-4/327, Soph.[/td] [/tr][tr][td]DE[/td] [td]Josh Gaines *, 6-1/275, Sr.
Aaron Maybin, 6-4/236, Soph.[/td] [/tr][tr][td]OLB[/td] [td]Tyrell Sales *, 6-2/233, Sr.
Nathan Stupar, 6-1/220, R-Fr.[/td] [/tr][tr][td]MLB[/td] [td]Josh Hull, 6-3/231, Jr.
Chris Colasanti, 6-2/232, Soph.[/td] [/tr][tr][td]OLB[/td] [td]Bani Gbadyu, 6-1/221, Soph.
Navorro Bowman, 6-1/228, Soph.[/td] [/tr][tr][td]CB[/td] [td]Tony Davis %, 5-10/195, Sr.
Drew Astorino, 5-10/190, R-Fr.[/td] [/tr][tr][td]CB[/td] [td]Lydell Sargeant *, 5-10/188, Sr.
A.J. Wallace, 6-1/188, Jr.[/td] [/tr][tr][td]SS[/td] [td]Mark Rubin, 6-3/216, Sr.
Michael Mauti, 6-2/220, R-Fr.[/td] [/tr][tr][td]FS[/td] [td]Anthony Scirrotto *, 6-0/192, Sr.
Chaz Powell, 6-1/194, R-Fr.[/td] [/tr][tr][td]P[/td] [td]Jeremy Boone *, 5-9/184, Jr.[/td] [/tr][tr][td]PR[/td] [td]Derrick Williams, 6-0/194, Sr.[/td] [/tr][/table][/td] [/tr][tr][td](NOTE: *--denotes returning starter; %--denotes returning starter who has changed positions.)[/td] [/tr][/table]
Tom Dienhart is a national senior writer for Rivals.com. He can be reached at [email protected].
Penn State's offense is NOT going to be that good. That recieving trio has been hyped for years and done squat. New RB + new QB = problems. If no onecould unseat Morelli for at least a couple plays it is going to be ugly at QB this year. As usual D will be good though. My boy Colasanti is the next greatLB for them...
In 2007: 9-4 overall, 4-4 in Big Ten (tied for fifth in league) |
Highlights Returning starters: Offense-7. Defense-8. Special teams-2. (NOTE: Tight end Andrew Quarless and linebacker Sean Lee also would be returning starters, but Quarless is suspended indefinitely and Lee suffered a knee injury during spring drills and will miss the season.) | Depth Chart
Key losses: Offense-WR Terrell Golden, RB Rodney Kinlaw, QB Anthony Morelli. Defense-LB Dan Connor, CB Justin King.
Final 2007 Rivals.com ranking: 27th | Complete Final 2007 Rankings[/td] [td]
[/td] [/tr][tr][td]2008 Breakdown: Offense | Defense | Special teams | Coaching | Schedule | Depth Chart[/td] [/tr][/table]http://OFFENSE
THE SCHEME: Since Galen Hall took over ascoordinator in 2004, the offense has gotten more complex and varied after having grown stale and predictable. There is talk of the Nittany Lions using a spreadscheme similar to the one Hall used so well in 2005 with Michael Robinson at the controls. Expect power running to remain a staple of the attack, but Hallneeds to make maximum use of one of the Big Ten's most talented receiving corps, too.
[table][tr][td]
IMPACT NEWCOMER: Sophomore EvanRoyster is a capable tailback, but he won't keep defensive coordinators awake at night. Redshirt freshman Stephfon Green will. Green is a go-the-distance back, possessing the type of speed notseen in these parts since Ki-Jana Carter. If Green learns the nuances of pass protection and develops patience behind his blockers, he could be a revelation asa playmaker.
IT'S HIS TIME: Guard StefenWisniewski is a true sophomore and the only new starter on the line. But staffers feel he may be Penn State's best blocker. Wisniewski is a powerfulrun blocker who plays with a nasty streak. And check out these bloodlines: Wisniewski's father, Leo, was a star defensive lineman for the Nittany Lionsfrom 1979-81 who played four years in the NFL. Uncle Steve was a two-time All-American at Penn State (1985-8
and an eight-time All-Pro with the Raiders.STRONGEST AREA: For much of this decade, the line was a soft spot. No more. This may be the best front wall in the Big Ten, thanks to thereturn of four starters. Pick a position, any position, and you'll find an all-league candidate. It all starts with squatty-but-powerful center A.Q. Shipley, an All-Big Ten honoree in 2007. Senior guardRich Ohrnberger is a mauler, while the tackle tandem ofGerald Cadogan and Dennis Landolt is without peer in the conference.
WEAKEST AREA: The offense looks set except for one teensy problem: Who will be the quarterback? Daryll Clark and Pat Devlin are the contenders to replace the much-maligned Anthony Morelli. Each ismobile, capable of scrambling and executing the option play that figures to be a key weapon in the spread look. Devlin gets the edge as a passer, butClark's experience and athleticism may give him the edge.
OVERVIEW: The last time Penn State used a spread was 2005. That's also the last time the Nittany Lions were an elite team. They went11-1, won the Big Ten and beat Florida State in the Orange Bowl. The components are there for this offense to be as good as that '05 edition, whichaveraged 421.5 yards and 34.4 points. There's potential at tailback, a strong line and a standout receiving corps. That means it all will come down to howwell the quarterback plays.
[table][tr][td]
3
[/td] [/tr][tr][td]That was the number of road losses last season, against two wins. That continued a trend this decade that has seen the Nittany Lions go 13-25 on the road. The only season Penn State had a winning road record was in its 11-1 Orange Bowl season of 2005, when it went 3-1.[/td] [/tr][/table]
GRADE: B.
http://DEFENSE
THE SCHEME: This is a dyed-in-the wool 4-3 alignment that has thrived on controlling the line of scrimmage and letting linebackers makeplays. The Nittany Lions aren't blitz-happy, but they keep foes on their toes with a variety of packages within the scheme. The secondary also features anice mix of coverages, with a knack for disguising looks.
STAR POWER: Junior end Maurice Evansemerged as a pass-rusher deluxe last season, earning first-team All-Big Ten accolades. He had 12.5 sacks, 21.5 tackles for loss and 54 tackles. He also had55-yard fumble return for a touchdown. Evans, from Brooklyn, N.Y., is on his way to cementing a place alongside recent great Nittany Lions defenders such asCourtney Brown and LaVar Arrington.
IMPACT NEWCOMER: Tackle Devon Stillhurt a knee last season and redshirted as a true freshman, but he impressed in spring drills. He has a great combination of speed and size, and the potentialto be one of Penn State's best inside forces since Jimmy Kennedy.
[table][tr][td]
STRONGEST AREA: You won't find a better line in the Big Ten - and maybe in the nation. Twelve players who saw action last season upfront are back. The end duo of Evans and Josh Gaines isformidable, and Aaron Maybin is a terror off the bench.There are myriad interchangeable parts at tackle, headed by standout junior Jared Odrick, who was terrorizing foes until an injury ruined his season. Keep an eye ontouted redshirt freshmen Still and Kevion Latham. Thetackle ranks will be even stronger if Chris Baker andPhil Taylor return from suspensions - which isexpected.
BIGGEST PROBLEM: There are some worries at linebacker with Dan Connor gone and standout Sean Lee out for the season after hurting his right knee in the spring. Lee ranked secondin the Big Ten in stops last year and was the next great one at Linebacker U. That's a cue to Chris Colasanti to emerge at middle linebacker. He was one of just a handful of truefreshman to play for Penn State in 2007. Tyrell Sales andBani Gbadyu provide a good foundation for a linebackingcorps that teems with potential. Navorro Bowman will seeample time if he is reinstated after his suspension.
OVERVIEW: This defense will be nasty. Yes, there are questions at linebacker with Lee - who some scouts feel was better than Connor - outfor the season. But this is Linebacker U. They'll get something figured out with coordinator Tom Bradley pulling the levers and pressing the buttons. A boffo line will set the tone, with asolid secondary closing the deal on the back end.
GRADE: A.
http://SPECIAL TEAMS
Penn State is looking good here. The return game has Williams (punt) and cornerback A.J. Wallace (kickoff), who each can go the distance. Junior Jeremy Boone was a revelation in 2007, leading the Big Ten in punting after joiningthe team as a walk-on. Kicker Kevin Kelly is back for afourth season. He's Mr. Reliable from inside 40 yards, but beyond that, all bets are off.
GRADE: B+.
http://COACHING
JoePa keeps on ticking, entering his 59th season at the school as either an assistant or head coach. The living legend has had a staredown with the schoolbrass, which would like some resolution as to how much longer he will coach. Paterno, 81, won't budge or agree to a succession plan. The bottom line isthis: Paterno's contract ends at the end of 2008, and he'll be coaching on a year-to-year basis as he continues his pursuit of Florida State'sBobby Bowden in the quest to be college football's all-timewin king (Bowden leads 373-372). Paterno is little more than a figure head these days, buffeted by an astute collection of assistants led by Bradley and Hall.Offensive line coach +!*! Anderson has been a loyal solider formore than 30 years to Paterno. Defensive line coach LarryJohnson is a killer recruiter, while linebackers coach RonVanderlinden is one of the best in the business.
GRADE: A
[table][tr][td]
http://SCHEDULE
Can you say "layup"? That's what the first four games are. Anything short of a 4-0 start will be a disappointment. The Big Ten menu isdifficult. The Nittany Lions open Big Ten action at home against Illinois. A loss to the rising Illini, and it's not crazy to think Penn State could gointo a protracted tailspin as they enter a tough five-game stretch that includes this monster three-game stint: at Wisconsin, vs. Michigan, at Ohio State. TheWolverines have been an especially troublesome foe, having won the past nine in the series. And a season-ending visit from Michigan State never is a treat.
http://OUTLOOK
There is ample reason to rev up your RV and follow the winding road to State College. This team will be good - really good if the quarterback playstabilizes. There is an understated resolve to this veteran team after two disappointing seasons and a spate of off-field issues. And don't discount thecantankerous Paterno. He'd love nothing more than to stick it to his bosses to show he still has it. At the least, Penn State should play in a"good" bowl. And the Nittany Lions could win the Big Ten.
[img]http://vmedia.rivals.com/images/creative/bhale/content/header/conhead_depthchart_30.jpg[/img]
[table][tr][td] [table][tr][td]OFFENSE[/td] [/tr][tr][td]QB[/td] [td]Daryll Clark, 6-2/231, Jr.
Pat Devlin, 6-4/222, Soph.[/td] [/tr][tr][td]RB[/td] [td]Evan Royster, 6-1/212, Soph.
Stephfon Green, 5-10/189, R-Fr.[/td] [/tr][tr][td]WR[/td] [td]Deon Butler *, 5-10/168, Sr.
Brett Brackett, 6-6/235, Soph.[/td] [/tr][tr][td]WR[/td] [td]Derrick Williams *, 6-0/194, Sr.
James McDonald, 6-2/198, Jr.[/td] [/tr][tr][td]WR[/td] [td]Jordan Norwood, 5-11/171, Sr.
Graham Zug, 6-2/176, Soph.[/td] [/tr][tr][td]TE[/td] [td]Mickey Shuler, 6-4/251, Jr.
Andrew Quarless *, 6-5/252, Soph.[/td] [/tr][tr][td]LT[/td] [td]Gerald Cadogan *, 6-5/314, Sr.
Nerraw McCormack, 6-5/292, Sr.[/td] [/tr][tr][td]LG[/td] [td]Rich Ohrnberger *, 6-2/291, Sr.
Johnnie Troutman, 6-4/318, R-Fr.[/td] [/tr][tr][td]C[/td] [td]A.Q. Shipley *, 6-1/297, Sr.
Mike Lucian %, 6-2/290, Sr.[/td] [/tr][tr][td]RG[/td] [td]Stefen Wisniewski, 6-3/288, Soph.
Mike Lucian *, 6-2/290, Sr.[/td] [/tr][tr][td]RT[/td] [td]Dennis Landolt *, 6-4/309, Jr.
Lou Eliades, 6-4/309, Jr.[/td] [/tr][tr][td]K[/td] [td]Kevin Kelly *, 5-7/164, Sr.[/td] [/tr][tr][td]KR[/td] [td]A.J. Wallace, 6-1/188, Jr.[/td] [/tr][/table][/td] [td] [table][tr][td]DEFENSE[/td] [/tr][tr][td]DE[/td] [td]Maurice Evans *, 6-2/264, Jr.
Eric Latimore, 6-6/262, R-Fr.[/td] [/tr][tr][td]DT[/td] [td]Jared Odrick *, 6-5/308, Jr.
Chris Baker *, 6-2/305, Jr.[/td] [/tr][tr][td]DT[/td] [td]Ollie Ogbu, 6-1/292, Soph.
Phil Taylor, 6-4/327, Soph.[/td] [/tr][tr][td]DE[/td] [td]Josh Gaines *, 6-1/275, Sr.
Aaron Maybin, 6-4/236, Soph.[/td] [/tr][tr][td]OLB[/td] [td]Tyrell Sales *, 6-2/233, Sr.
Nathan Stupar, 6-1/220, R-Fr.[/td] [/tr][tr][td]MLB[/td] [td]Josh Hull, 6-3/231, Jr.
Chris Colasanti, 6-2/232, Soph.[/td] [/tr][tr][td]OLB[/td] [td]Bani Gbadyu, 6-1/221, Soph.
Navorro Bowman, 6-1/228, Soph.[/td] [/tr][tr][td]CB[/td] [td]Tony Davis %, 5-10/195, Sr.
Drew Astorino, 5-10/190, R-Fr.[/td] [/tr][tr][td]CB[/td] [td]Lydell Sargeant *, 5-10/188, Sr.
A.J. Wallace, 6-1/188, Jr.[/td] [/tr][tr][td]SS[/td] [td]Mark Rubin, 6-3/216, Sr.
Michael Mauti, 6-2/220, R-Fr.[/td] [/tr][tr][td]FS[/td] [td]Anthony Scirrotto *, 6-0/192, Sr.
Chaz Powell, 6-1/194, R-Fr.[/td] [/tr][tr][td]P[/td] [td]Jeremy Boone *, 5-9/184, Jr.[/td] [/tr][tr][td]PR[/td] [td]Derrick Williams, 6-0/194, Sr.[/td] [/tr][/table][/td] [/tr][tr][td](NOTE: *--denotes returning starter; %--denotes returning starter who has changed positions.)[/td] [/tr][/table]
Tom Dienhart is a national senior writer for Rivals.com. He can be reached at [email protected].
Penn State's offense is NOT going to be that good. That recieving trio has been hyped for years and done squat. New RB + new QB = problems. If no onecould unseat Morelli for at least a couple plays it is going to be ugly at QB this year. As usual D will be good though. My boy Colasanti is the next greatLB for them...
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Can anyone post the Insider information for the Hurricanes preview in ESPN??
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Team preview: Miami
Blue Ribbon College Football Yearbook
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Updated: July 10, 2008
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(All information as of June 20, 200
Miami Hurricanes
LOCATION Coral Gables, Fla.
CONFERENCE ACC (Coastal)
LAST SEASON 5-7 (.417)
CONFERENCE RECORD 2-6 (5th)
OFF. STARTERS RETURNING 4
DEF. STARTERS RETURNING 6
NICKNAME Hurricanes
COLORS Orange, Green & White
HOME FIELD Dolphin Stadium (74,916)
HEAD COACH Randy Shannon (Miami '89)
RECORD AT SCHOOL 5-7 (1 year)
CAREER RECORD 5-7 (1 year)
ASSISTANTS ⢠Patrick Nix (Auburn '95), Offensive Coordinator
⢠Bill Young (Oklahoma State '6, Defensive Coordinator
⢠Michael Barrow (Miami '92), Linebackers
⢠Aubrey Hill (Florida '96), Wide Receivers
⢠Clint Hurtt (Miami '01), Defensive Line
⢠Wesley McGriff (Savannah State '90), Defensive Backs
⢠Joe Pannunzio (Southern Colorado '82), Tight Ends/Special Teams
⢠Tommie Robinson (Troy State '85), Running Backs
⢠Jeff Stoutland (Southern Connecticut '84), Offensive Line
TEAM WINS (Last five yrs.) 11-9-9-7-5
FINAL RANK (Last five yrs.) 4-13-11-39-70
2007 FINISH Lost to Boston College in regular-season finale.
2008 Schedule | 2007 Results | 2007 Stats
COACH AND PROGRAM
When Randy Shannon accepted the job as the Miami football coach on Dec. 8, 2006, he emphatically denied that the Hurricanes were heading in the wrongdirection.
"This program is not at a standstill," Shannon said. "The program is not on a downslide. We are on an upward movement. As a coach, you want achallenge. I want somebody to say that I can't do it. If I hear, 'I can't,' I'm going to prove you wrong.
"You can never stay the same in life. You always go up and down. You try to get better every year, every day, every week, every second."
Shannon may have miscalculated exactly where the Hurricanes were when he took over. Miami lost its final four games en route to a 5-7 finish, the program'sfirst losing record since 1997.
There was a confluence of contributing factors to the Hurricanes' demise. Erratic quarterback play, a rash of injuries and the inability to simply plug inthe next All-American in waiting were among the most noticeable. Couple that with Shannon finding his way as a first-year head coach while breaking in newoffensive and defensive coordinators and you have the kind of perfect storm that was anything but 'Cane-like on the field.
"Nobody in the program wants to go 5-7," said Shannon, who immediately went to work to correct matters.
Borrowing from the recruiting model made famous by the program's architect for success -- Howard Schnellenberger -- and followed by his successors JimmyJohnson, Dennis Erickson and Butch Davis, Shannon roped off the "State of Miami" in a dogged recruiting blitz.
A Miami native, Shannon was a standout linebacker for the Hurricanes under Johnson and 13-year assistant under Erickson, Davis and Larry Coker. He understandsthat controlling the "State of Miami" -- South Florida's three largest counties (Dade, Broward and Palm Beach) -- on the recruiting trail assuresthe Hurricanes a bountiful supply of top-end talent.
Of the 33 players the Canes list among their '08 signees -- nine of whom enrolled in January and took part in spring drills -- 19 hail from South Florida.
More specifically, those recruiting efforts had a focus. Eleven of the freshmen played at either Miami Northwestern or Miami Booker T. Washington, whichcaptured state championships.
"We're recruiting players from winning teams who win championships," he said. "You're going to develop that winning attitude byrecruiting that type of guy. That sense of urgency will come back."
How quickly the Canes will rebound is not clear, but there's little doubt that the process began in earnest over the course of the '07 season, when 11freshmen -- which tied Clemson and North Carolina for the most in the ACC -- saw action.
Given the quality of the Canes '08 recruiting class, which at least one recruiting service ranked as the best in the nation, don't be surprised if theylead the league outright this season.
The effort to take corrective steps toward a turnaround did not stop with recruiting. Shannon also brought two new staff members on board.
Bill Young, a 39-year coaching veteran, takes over the defensive coordinator duties for Tim Walton. The well-traveled Young joins the staff after a six-seasonrun as coordinator at Kansas. Miami native and former Florida standout Aubrey Hill steps in as the receivers coach, coming to the Canes after three seasons atPitt.
As a staff, there will be a premium placed on teaching, with so many first- and second-year players in the program. There is no substitute for experience,which the Canes will lack in a number of key positions, most notably quarterback, receiver and kicker. Minimizing mental mistakes and avoiding the abundance ofphysical ones which contributed to last season's demise, is a priority if "The U" is going to get back on track quickly.
Not to be overlooked is Miami's new "home" field. Now that the wrecking ball has turned the venerable Orange Bowl to a pile of rubble, theHurricanes will become co-tenants at Dolphin Stadium.
While the Hurricanes' historic old haunt housed plenty of memories, the program should benefit nicely from the NFL digs with all the amenities, includingspacious locker rooms, suites, video boards and the like. Whether that will prove to be a boon for the school's relatively shoddy attendance over the yearsis unclear, especially because the stadium is easily a 30-minute drive from campus.
Nevertheless, the move uptown should help recruiting, which is clearly at the forefront of Shannon's makeover plan.
QUARTERBACKS
Second-year offensive coordinator Patrick Nix loves the physical tools and the intangibles his stable of four quarterbacks brings to the table. He's also abig advocate of the intangible qualities that redshirt freshman Robert Marve (6-1, 203) and freshman Jacory Harris (6-4, 170) possess, not the least of whichare their championship-winning credentials.
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Unfortunately, the championships won by Marve and Harris were at the high school level.
Regardless who wins the starting job coming out of August camp, they will be making their first collegiate appearance in the Aug. 28 opener against CharlestonSouthern.
Marve and Harris emerged from the spring as the front-runners for the job, ahead of freshman Cannon Smith (5-11, 200), who actually has an additional year ofplaying experience courtesy a prep school season at Hargrave (Va.) Military Academy.
That trio will be joined by freshman Taylor Cook (6-7, 230) when camp opens.
Marve, whose development as a freshman last season was stunted by an automobile accident that left him with a hand injury requiring surgery, did make it backin time to work with the scout team. Nix figures that limited experience, the corresponding mental repetitions, and the time around the program will bebeneficial.
"I don't know that it's as much the mental reps that he got a year ago, as it was being able to get away from home and experience being away fromhome," Nix said. "To go on the road with us [and] be with us at home, that probably benefited him as much as anything. I think seeing the mistakesthat those other guys made has been a benefit for him."
There were plenty of mistakes to learn from. Graduated Kyle Wright and Kirby Freeman, who transferred, combined to throw 20 interceptions and just 16 touchdownpasses for a passing offense that not only ranked last in the ACC but 108th nationally.
"The thing we kind of missed last year, we were able to run the ball for the most part, but we couldn't find a way to get the passing game going andfind guys to make plays in the passing game," Nix said. "That's something we'll have to find this year."
Nix made it clear he's not looking back on last season's turnover-plagued problems at quarterback.
"We don't dwell a whole lot on last year, because a lot of those guys that made those mistakes last year aren't here," he said.
Marve arrived at Miami after capturing Florida Mr. Football and Parade All-America honors in the 2006 season at Tampa Plant, where he broke Heisman Trophywinner Tim Tebow's single-season state records for passing yards (4,380) and touchdowns (4. In the process, he led Plant to a state title.
Harris brought two state titles and a mythical national championship with him to the Coral Gables campus when he enrolled in January out of the MiamiNorthwestern power plant program. He too won Mr. Football and Parade All-America honors after guiding the Bulls to the 2007 crown, capping a career highlightedby a 30-0 record.
As a senior, Harris passed for 3,445 yards and 49 touchdowns, eclipsing Marve's year-old record, while completing nearly 67 percent of his pass attemptswith only six interceptions.
"Both of them have very good arms; they can move," Nix said. "They're both very competitive and they're winners. There's not a wholelot of difference between the two guys.
"The only negative is going to be experience, with both of them. I think they have everything else -- the tools, the desire and the work ethic, which isgoing to carry both of them a long way."
Smith is built more in the mold of former Cane Brock Berlin, but Nix notes that he doesn't quite have the arm strength or mobility of either Marve orHarris. He also spent the spring acclimating himself to a fourth offense in four years, after playing at three different schools over his final three seasonsof prep eligibility.
Cook is a big, raw talent who played in a run-oriented attack in Texas but suffered a MCL knee injury at the end of his senior season.
RUNNING BACKS
There was nothing wrong with the Hurricanes' ground game that a decent passing attack wouldn't have made better in '07.
The good news is both junior Javarris James (6-0, 214) and sophomore Graig Cooper (6-0, 202) return after combining for 1,264 yards and eight rushingtouchdowns a year ago.
After bursting on the national scene as freshman by rushing for 802 yards in '06, James slipped a bit last season (582 yards) last season. A tough,between-the-tackles back with an exceptional burst once through the line of scrimmage, James came through spring practice with a slight edge over Cooper in hisbid to retain the starting job.
Holding off Cooper will be no small feat after the prep school transfer's impressive rookie season with the Canes. The Memphis, Tenn. native -- by way ofMilford (N.Y.) Prep -- left a strong first impression on the Miami coaches when he ran for 116 yards on 12 carries (9.7 ypc) in last season's openeragainst Marshall. He also cracked the century mark with 101 yards against Duke and finished the season with a team-high 682 yards on 125 carries (5.5).
At full strength, the 1-2 punch of James and Cooper could take quite a burden off the rookie quarterbacks. Not only are they capable runners, but they arerock-solid as receivers out of the backfield and could provide valuable check-down options for a young quarterback. James has 31 career receptions for 300yards and a score, while Cooper snagged 13 for 129 yards and a touchdown last season.
"I don't think there's a doubt that Coop and J.J. can get it done and they're going to get it done," Nix said. "We've just gotto keep both of those guys healthy to where they can get it done."
To that end, the Canes are looking to bolster their depth at tailback.
"If you don't have anybody behind them you don't have very much flexibility, because you've got to keep one of them fresh and be careful [not]to get one hurt," Nix said. "We've got to find two or three of those other guys who are going to come along and help those two, take some of theload off them and give us the confidence they can go in and help us win."
Sophomore Shawnbrey McNeal (5-11, 190) is the fastest back and could provide the kind of changeup to the more physical styles of James and Cooper.
As a freshman he ran for 90 yards on just 20 carries, highlighted by a 39-yard touchdown run against Georgia Tech.
The Canes also got a lift in the spring from converted defensive back Damien Berry (5-11, 19, a sophomore, who ran for more than 1,000 yards as a high schoolsenior at Belle Glade Glades Central.
Senior Derron Thomas (5-9, 204) and redshirt freshman Lee Chambers (5-10, 180) provide additional depth.
The fullback position was manned by a committee last season, less than ideal given Miami's long-standing commitment to a conventional two-back set.
"Last year we didn't have a true fullback, and that's one thing that hurt us a lot," Nix said. "That's one reason we went out andsigned Pat Hill and John Calhoun to come in early from high school. Both of them had a good spring and hopefully will be able to fill that role."
Hill (5-10, 24, is a junior transfer from El Camino (Calif.) Community College, while Calhoun (6-3, 235) is a freshman from Sebastian River.
Both appear adept at blocking and catching passes out of the backfield, which is a staple in Miami's attack.
WIDE RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS
Quarterback isn't the only position where youth will be served in Miami's offense. The Hurricanes have no choice but turn to youngsters afterconsecutive seasons of sub-par play from their wide receivers.
Junior Sam Shields (6-0, 180) is the only proven commodity among four returning letter winners. As a sophomore Shields led the team with 27 receptions for 346yards and three touchdowns, highlighted by a six-catch, 117-yard performance in a victory over Texas A&M.
The other returning letter winners -- sophomores Kayne Farquharson (6-2, 185) and Leonard Hankerson (6-2, 21 and senior Khalil Jones (6-2, 220) -- combinedfor 16 receptions, 158 yards and two touchdowns.
"You've got four right there who have the experience," Nix said. "Then obviously, Aldarius Johnson coming in had a really good spring, andwe feel like he's just going to get better and better with time. He's a very smart player and a very hard worker and good player who we feel is goingto help us."
Johnson (6-2, 217), a January enrollee out of Miami Northwestern, has drawn comparisons to former Georgia Tech star Calvin Johnson. Coincidentally, Nix was theYellow Jackets' offensive coordinator during Johnson's All-America junior season. A physical force, Johnson collected 148 receptions for more than2,300 yards and 32 touchdowns over his final two seasons of high school.
Another newcomer to the mix will be speedy redshirt freshman Jermaine McKenzie (6-2, 173), who has battled injury in his young career.
More help is on the way courtesy of a signing class that includes five freshmen who bring diversity in size and skills to the table.
LaRon Byrd (6-4, 205) and Tommy Streeter (6-6, 200) add more size and big playmaking to the mix. By contrast, Travis Benjamin (5-11, 141), Thearon Collier(5-9, 163) and Kendall Thompkins (5-10, 165), should provide a smaller, shiftier group capable of creating mismatches from the slot.
"We've got a bunch of them coming in that are very talented, but you don't know which guy is going to make plays for you and do it early,"Nix said. "We'll have a lot of options this year, which will be nice; 10 or 11 guys you can choose from. That was one thing last year, number-wise, wejust didn't have a lot."
Senior tight end Chris Zellner (6-2, 247) hopes to continue Miami's outstanding tradition at the position, where he nabbed 13 passes a year ago and wasinstrumental in the run game.
Zellner will get some help from juniors Dedrick Epps (6-4, 255), who had eight receptions including a touchdown catch, and Richard Gordon (6-4, 260).
OFFENSIVE LINE
At first blush, Miami's offensive line situation appears to be a rebuilding project. While the Hurricanes return only two full-time starters, two othersstarted at least three games, while five more earned letters for substantial playing time.
"People think we have a retooled offensive line, but we have a lot of experience, a lot of playing time, on that offensive line coming back," Nixsaid. "When you really look at it, three out of the five started last year."
The Hurricanes have the most experience where it may matter most, especially with inexperienced quarterbacks.
Junior Jason Fox (6-6, 306) returns as a third-year starter at left tackle and the Hurricane lineman with the most NFL potential at this point. The righttackle position will probably go to senior Reggie Youngblood (6-6, 312), who made nine starts last season and has three years of playing experience.
Factor in the return of versatile junior Chris Rutledge (6-5, 314), who made three starts at tackle last season, and the Canes appear battle-ready on theedges.
"Those three will battle for those two spots," said Nix, who hopes to be able to rotate the trio and keep them fresh. That will be made easier withtested, fifth-year senior Tyrone Byrd (6-5, 309) also available for action at either tackle spot.
There is quite a bit more uncertainty regarding the interior line positions.
Sophomore left guard Orlando Franklin (6-7, 345) made three starts and saw considerable playing time as a freshman last season, and many believe he will be afuture star.
"Without a doubt, Orlando, with the playing time he got last year, is going to help a lot," Nix said.
Sophomore Joel Figueroa (6-5, 344) appears to have the lead at right guard after earning playing time in seven games last season. He could get pushed by juniorA.J. Trump (6-3, 30, who has seen action at guard and center.
"Center is the biggest question mark up front," Nix said. "We've got three or four guys that will continue to battle there, get reps andwe'll see what happens."
In all likelihood, senior transfer Xavier Shannon (6-1, 29 the son of the head coach who played all five positions during his career at FloridaInternational, will get the opening day nod.
"[Shannon] is pretty natural at it," Nix said.
"He's played it before; he's played a little bit of everything before."
Not to be discounted from contention are Trump, redshirt freshman Tyler Horn (6-4, 295) and junior Matt Pipho (6-7, 315).
While there may be some question marks, size won't be one of them for the Canes. Beyond the most likely contenders for playing time, junior tackle ChrisBarney (6-4, 340) and sophomore Ian Symonette (6-9, 364) could also make their way onto the field.
KICKERS
For a second consecutive season, the Hurricanes will be breaking in a new kicker. Incoming freshman Jake Wieclaw (6-2, 180) should have the inside track to aposition that has been unsettled, at best, for the better part of the last four seasons.
Wieclaw set the Illinois high school state record with 48 career field goals, despite contributing just nine (on 11 attempts) when his senior season was cutshort by a broken foot. He has a career-long of 52 yards.
An outstanding athlete who was good enough to start at receiver, Wieclaw is a strong contender to handle kickoff duties as well.
Competition could come from junior walk-on Alex Uribe (6-1, 171) or sophomore Matt Bosher (6-0, 195), who handled all of Miami's punting duties andoccasionally kicked off last season.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Most teams would be concerned while facing the prospect of replacing three of their four most productive defensive linemen. As it turns out, the Hurricanes mayultimately be better, even though they enter the season without a bona fide star.
That, however, doesn't mean there aren't a few on the horizon.
Senior defensive end Eric Moncur (6-2, 250) is the lone Hurricane with more than four starts last season. An eight-game starter at left end, Moncur piled up acareer-high 48 tackles, including 11 for loss, six of which were sacks.
Senior Antonio Dixon (6-3, 32 and junior Joe Joseph (6-3, 304) each earned four starts last season at defensive tackle along the injury-riddled line. Josephfinished with 25 tackles in 10 games, highlighted by his career-best nine stops in a road win at Florida State. An early-season injury limited Dixon to justnine appearances and four starts, and Miami's resident space-eater responded with 21 tackles.
They form the nucleus of a group that has considerable talent, even if it's short on experience.
"Going through the spring, we're almost like a pro football team from the standpoint of numbers," said Bill Young, the first-year coordinator."We're very, very thin. There was one practice where we only had two defensive ends for the entire practice. We were only two-deep [at defensivetackle]."
Of course the lack of bodies may end up being a blessing, because it required a high volume of repetitions in Young's new scheme.
"We were able to get them a lot of reps and they caught on quickly," Young said. "We put a lot of stuff in -- probably a little more than wereally wanted to -- and they caught on a little faster than we anticipated."
Freshman Marcus Fortson (6-2, 309), widely considered the nation's top interior lineman when he signed out of Miami Northwestern, and sophomore ChazWashington (6-4, 320) saw considerable practice action in the spring. Senior Dwayne Hendricks (6-4, 29 missed spring practice, but he's expected back byAugust camp. There he will join junior Luqman Abdallah (6-3, 307) and sophomore Josh Holmes (6-0, 290) to give the Canes more depth.
There is more than enough physical talent at end for Miami to replace Calais Campbell, who jumped to the NFL after a sub-par junior season. While Moncur is theveteran, most people around the program speak of sophomore Allen Bailey (6-4, 287) in hushed, reverent tones. One would consider that odd, given Bailey did notmake a single tackle in 12 games, predominantly on special teams but also at linebacker.
Moved to end in the spring, Bailey played like a man-child.
"I've only seen one player that I've coached that I can put in the same category just from a physical outlook, and that was Alonzo Spellman,"Young said. "I coached him at Ohio State, and he reminds me a lot of Allen. Allen may be a little thicker at the same stage in time than Alonzo was. Hehas great, great physical traits. He's really been blessed."
Sophomore Steven Wesley (6-3, 257) and redshirt freshman Adewale Ojomo (6-3, 244) have drawn praise from the coaches.
"Wally [Ojomo] we think has a chance to be a heckuva player," said Young, who is also counting on the return of junior Courtney Harris (6-3, 267),who missed the spring.
LINEBACKERS
Injuries at linebacker hit the Hurricanes hard a year ago, and although they must replace graduated Tavares Gooden's 100 stops, they hope to do that withhealthy numbers. The pieces certainly appear to be there to get that done.
Capitalizing on injuries that thrust him into the lineup, junior Colin McCarthy (6-3, 230) emerged as a play-making star of the future from his strong-sideposition. The team's top returning tackler (6, McCarthy logged 12 tackles for loss, including a pair of sacks. He returned a fumble 27 yards forMiami's clinching touchdown at rival Florida State, and also added a 30-yard return with his first interception against Texas A&M.
McCarthy, however, sat out spring practice. Among those who did not were junior weak-side linebacker Darryl Sharpton (5-11, 232) and senior middle linebackerGlen Cook (6-0, 235), both of whom missed a great deal of last season with injuries.
Sharpton, who started the final five games of last season and finished with 57 tackles, is versatile enough to have played all three linebacker positionsthroughout his career. Cook is back for a sixth season after missing all of '07 with a foot injury. An 11-game starter in '06 -- with a team-high 14for his career -- Cook piled up 64 tackles in his last season in the fray.
"Darryl Sharpton and Glenn Cook really had outstanding springs," Young said. "They're veteran guys who have been around the program and havedone a lot.
Romeo Davis (6-3, 234) returns for a fifth season after missing all but two games last season with a right knee injury. A starter in '05 at weak-sidelinebacker, he will likely back up Cook in the middle, providing veteran depth to a corps that also includes seniors Spencer Adkins (5-11, 230) and EricHouston (6-2, 230). Sophomore Kylan Robinson (6-1, 232) is also back.
While the return of veterans is important, the real buzz about the program is the arrival of a heralded freshmen class of linebackers that has no peersnationally. Leading that wave were a pair -- Arthur Brown (6-2, 230) and Sean Spence (6-0, 202) -- who enrolled in January and wasted no time making theirpresence felt in the spring. Not that anyone expected otherwise. Brown was the nation's top-rated linebacker out of Wichita (Kansas) East, while Spencestarred at Miami Northwestern, where he made 41 consecutive starts.
"They took the majority of the reps," said Young, who worked Brown and Spence at the weak- and strong side, respectively. "I thought [Brown] andSpence both were really out-standing recruits, guys that don't come along very often. We think that they're going to be able to contribute, not only ondefense, but on special teams."
They aren't alone among heralded freshmen linebackers headed to Coral Gables. When August practice opens, they will be joined by classmates Jordan Futch(6-3, 202), Gavin Hardin (6-4, 240), Antonio Harper (6-3, 220), Brandon Marti (6-0, 196) and Marcus Robinson (6-2, 210).
DEFENSIVE BACKS
The one segment in Miami's defense seemingly destined for a breakthrough season is the secondary. Five players have considerable starting experience from ayear ago -- not including veteran senior safeties Lovon Ponder (6-0, 219) and Anthony Reddick (6-0, 20 -- the Canes should have no trouble replacing safetiesKenny Phillips and Willie Cooper, and corner Glenn Sharpe.
"It's an excellent group of athletes," Young said. "I think our corners should be a real solid position for us."
As well it should. Senior Bruce Johnson (5-11, 172), senior Randy Phillips (6-0, 20, junior Chavez Grant (5-11, 180), sophomore Demarcus Van **** (6-1, 174)and senior Carlos Armour (6-3, 206) combined to make 30 starts at corner last season. Phillips, however, has since moved to safety, when he joins Ponder andReddick, who have 19 career starts between them.
Phillips, Ponder and Reddick, who was on a course for stardom until suffering a pair of devastating knee injuries, are capable of playing both the free- andstrong-safety spots. Young noted it's the same flexibility the Canes have at corner, where they've all been cross-trained to play either the field(wide side) or boundary (short side) positions.
The return of junior Ryan Hill (5-11, 195) from wide receiver to safety, where he was initially projected as a signee, further adds depth to a strong group.Sophomore JoJo Nicolas (6-1, 200) has continually shown improvement to the point that he will also play significantly.
"It looks to me like a really good situation in that we've got a good mix," Young said. "We have some very experienced older guys who haveseen a lot of good football, and a really talented young group coming in and some guys in between."
Among the incoming talent, cornerback Brandon Harris (5-11, 185) -- the Gatorade Player of the Year in Florida -- is considered the best freshman cover cornerin the country and a threat to see immediate playing time.
That won't likely be the case with four other defensive newcomers, all of whom are listed as safeties. C.J. Holton (6-2, 195), C.J. Odom (6-0, 210), VaughnTelemaque (6-2, 190) and Joe Wylie (6-2, 172) may find the most direct route to early playing time will be through special teams, because of theHurricanes' defensive backfield depth.
PUNTERS
The job belongs to sophomore Matt Bosher (6-0, 195), who performed admirably as a freshman in '07. Bosher average 40.2 yards an attempt, including a longof 75 yards. Opponents chose to fair catch 19 of his punts, contributing to the Hurricanes' rock-solid 35-yard net average.
After evaluating Bosher in the spring, Young sees no reason he can't be of value to the team's defensive efforts, which always begins with fieldposition.
"We thought he did a very good job," Young said. "He was booming the football. He's got a very good leg and got a lot of height anddistance."
Accuracy is the lone area where Bosher needs significant improvement, after managing just nine punts downed inside the opponents' 20, which rankednext-to-last in the ACC.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Third-year special teams coach Joe Pannunzio has some work to do in order to shore up the Hurricanes' performance, which has been little more thanpedestrian in recent seasons.
Not only have the Canes had to deal with up-and-down performances by kickers and punters, there has been nothing resembling a consistent return threat sinceDevin Hester bolted to the NFL after the '05 season.
Miami was among the ACC's worst programs in the return game in 2007, averaging 19.3 yards on kickoffs and 8.3 on punts. Whether that will lead to some newfaces replacing the likes of Hill, Gordon and McNeal on kickoffs and Cooper or Grant on punts remains to be seen.
Suffice to say, an athletic-heavy signing class could go a long way to providing some much-needed help, both in returns as well as coverage. Hurricaneopponents were superior in both kickoff (21.7) and punt returns (9.1) last season.
Of course, Pannunzio has every reason to expect improvement in the kicking game, considering graduated Francisco Zampogna converted an ACC-low nine field goalson 15 attempts. Darren Daley was 4-of-6 on field-goal attempts, but neither converted from longer than 47 yards. Jake Wieclaw's leg strength should make asignificant difference, providing the coaching staff the confidence to attempt one field goal longer than 50 yards, something they didn't do last season.
Beyond the punters and kickers, the Canes must also replace 12-game long snap-starter Ross Abramson. Redshirt freshman Chris Ivory (6-2, 222) is Abramson'slikely successor.
BLUE RIBBON ANALYSIS
Grading the Hurricanes
Unit
Grade
Offense
B-
Special teams
C+
Defense
B
Intangibles
B
With so many youngsters ready to get into the playing mix right away, Miami's schedule provides very little relief, beyond the inaugural Dolphin Stadiumopener against Charleston Southern.
That will be followed by road trips to Florida and Texas A&M, sandwiched around an open date; not exactly the preferred travel calendar for breaking in afirst-year, starting quarterback.
Rebounding from last season's 5-7 mark won't be easy for a team that went into spring with 38 freshmen or sophomores on the roster and figured to pickup as many as 20 more by August.
Don't expect any excuses from a coaching staff more determined than ever to get things corrected.
"We're totally different right now," Nix said in early June. "I think we're a lot better than we were at any time last year. We havemore depth. I think there are a lot of positives coming out of the spring. The one obvious negative we're going to have to look at is the experience."
On defense, it will help that Young is a veteran -- albeit first-year at Miami -- coordinator with plenty experience when it comes to teaching.
"Our kids caught on real quickly, and their work ethic and attention to detail has really been good," Young said. "It's a real sharp groupof young men."
Still, he won't risk overloading the youth-laden defenders too early.
"We don't want to confuse them, because defense is a game of reaction, and if you're thinking too much you can't react," he said."So we'll try to keep it as simple as we possibly can as long as we possibly can."
Beyond significantly upgrading the talent base, Miami catches a break from the ACC schedule makers who have them facing Coastal Division contenders NorthCarolina and Virginia Tech at home, along with FSU and Wake Forest, who are arguably two of the best teams in the Atlantic Division.
Whether the schedule is important will probably hinge of the development of young quarterback prospects Marve and Harris. It's anyone's guess how thatwill work out.
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(All information as of June 20, 200
Miami Hurricanes
LOCATION Coral Gables, Fla.
CONFERENCE ACC (Coastal)
LAST SEASON 5-7 (.417)
CONFERENCE RECORD 2-6 (5th)
OFF. STARTERS RETURNING 4
DEF. STARTERS RETURNING 6
NICKNAME Hurricanes
COLORS Orange, Green & White
HOME FIELD Dolphin Stadium (74,916)
HEAD COACH Randy Shannon (Miami '89)
RECORD AT SCHOOL 5-7 (1 year)
CAREER RECORD 5-7 (1 year)
ASSISTANTS ⢠Patrick Nix (Auburn '95), Offensive Coordinator
⢠Bill Young (Oklahoma State '6
, Defensive Coordinator⢠Michael Barrow (Miami '92), Linebackers
⢠Aubrey Hill (Florida '96), Wide Receivers
⢠Clint Hurtt (Miami '01), Defensive Line
⢠Wesley McGriff (Savannah State '90), Defensive Backs
⢠Joe Pannunzio (Southern Colorado '82), Tight Ends/Special Teams
⢠Tommie Robinson (Troy State '85), Running Backs
⢠Jeff Stoutland (Southern Connecticut '84), Offensive Line
TEAM WINS (Last five yrs.) 11-9-9-7-5
FINAL RANK (Last five yrs.) 4-13-11-39-70
2007 FINISH Lost to Boston College in regular-season finale.
2008 Schedule | 2007 Results | 2007 Stats
COACH AND PROGRAM
When Randy Shannon accepted the job as the Miami football coach on Dec. 8, 2006, he emphatically denied that the Hurricanes were heading in the wrongdirection.
"This program is not at a standstill," Shannon said. "The program is not on a downslide. We are on an upward movement. As a coach, you want achallenge. I want somebody to say that I can't do it. If I hear, 'I can't,' I'm going to prove you wrong.
"You can never stay the same in life. You always go up and down. You try to get better every year, every day, every week, every second."
Shannon may have miscalculated exactly where the Hurricanes were when he took over. Miami lost its final four games en route to a 5-7 finish, the program'sfirst losing record since 1997.
There was a confluence of contributing factors to the Hurricanes' demise. Erratic quarterback play, a rash of injuries and the inability to simply plug inthe next All-American in waiting were among the most noticeable. Couple that with Shannon finding his way as a first-year head coach while breaking in newoffensive and defensive coordinators and you have the kind of perfect storm that was anything but 'Cane-like on the field.
"Nobody in the program wants to go 5-7," said Shannon, who immediately went to work to correct matters.
Borrowing from the recruiting model made famous by the program's architect for success -- Howard Schnellenberger -- and followed by his successors JimmyJohnson, Dennis Erickson and Butch Davis, Shannon roped off the "State of Miami" in a dogged recruiting blitz.
A Miami native, Shannon was a standout linebacker for the Hurricanes under Johnson and 13-year assistant under Erickson, Davis and Larry Coker. He understandsthat controlling the "State of Miami" -- South Florida's three largest counties (Dade, Broward and Palm Beach) -- on the recruiting trail assuresthe Hurricanes a bountiful supply of top-end talent.
Of the 33 players the Canes list among their '08 signees -- nine of whom enrolled in January and took part in spring drills -- 19 hail from South Florida.
More specifically, those recruiting efforts had a focus. Eleven of the freshmen played at either Miami Northwestern or Miami Booker T. Washington, whichcaptured state championships.
"We're recruiting players from winning teams who win championships," he said. "You're going to develop that winning attitude byrecruiting that type of guy. That sense of urgency will come back."
How quickly the Canes will rebound is not clear, but there's little doubt that the process began in earnest over the course of the '07 season, when 11freshmen -- which tied Clemson and North Carolina for the most in the ACC -- saw action.
Given the quality of the Canes '08 recruiting class, which at least one recruiting service ranked as the best in the nation, don't be surprised if theylead the league outright this season.
The effort to take corrective steps toward a turnaround did not stop with recruiting. Shannon also brought two new staff members on board.
Bill Young, a 39-year coaching veteran, takes over the defensive coordinator duties for Tim Walton. The well-traveled Young joins the staff after a six-seasonrun as coordinator at Kansas. Miami native and former Florida standout Aubrey Hill steps in as the receivers coach, coming to the Canes after three seasons atPitt.
As a staff, there will be a premium placed on teaching, with so many first- and second-year players in the program. There is no substitute for experience,which the Canes will lack in a number of key positions, most notably quarterback, receiver and kicker. Minimizing mental mistakes and avoiding the abundance ofphysical ones which contributed to last season's demise, is a priority if "The U" is going to get back on track quickly.
Not to be overlooked is Miami's new "home" field. Now that the wrecking ball has turned the venerable Orange Bowl to a pile of rubble, theHurricanes will become co-tenants at Dolphin Stadium.
While the Hurricanes' historic old haunt housed plenty of memories, the program should benefit nicely from the NFL digs with all the amenities, includingspacious locker rooms, suites, video boards and the like. Whether that will prove to be a boon for the school's relatively shoddy attendance over the yearsis unclear, especially because the stadium is easily a 30-minute drive from campus.
Nevertheless, the move uptown should help recruiting, which is clearly at the forefront of Shannon's makeover plan.
QUARTERBACKS
Second-year offensive coordinator Patrick Nix loves the physical tools and the intangibles his stable of four quarterbacks brings to the table. He's also abig advocate of the intangible qualities that redshirt freshman Robert Marve (6-1, 203) and freshman Jacory Harris (6-4, 170) possess, not the least of whichare their championship-winning credentials.
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Unfortunately, the championships won by Marve and Harris were at the high school level.
Regardless who wins the starting job coming out of August camp, they will be making their first collegiate appearance in the Aug. 28 opener against CharlestonSouthern.
Marve and Harris emerged from the spring as the front-runners for the job, ahead of freshman Cannon Smith (5-11, 200), who actually has an additional year ofplaying experience courtesy a prep school season at Hargrave (Va.) Military Academy.
That trio will be joined by freshman Taylor Cook (6-7, 230) when camp opens.
Marve, whose development as a freshman last season was stunted by an automobile accident that left him with a hand injury requiring surgery, did make it backin time to work with the scout team. Nix figures that limited experience, the corresponding mental repetitions, and the time around the program will bebeneficial.
"I don't know that it's as much the mental reps that he got a year ago, as it was being able to get away from home and experience being away fromhome," Nix said. "To go on the road with us [and] be with us at home, that probably benefited him as much as anything. I think seeing the mistakesthat those other guys made has been a benefit for him."
There were plenty of mistakes to learn from. Graduated Kyle Wright and Kirby Freeman, who transferred, combined to throw 20 interceptions and just 16 touchdownpasses for a passing offense that not only ranked last in the ACC but 108th nationally.
"The thing we kind of missed last year, we were able to run the ball for the most part, but we couldn't find a way to get the passing game going andfind guys to make plays in the passing game," Nix said. "That's something we'll have to find this year."
Nix made it clear he's not looking back on last season's turnover-plagued problems at quarterback.
"We don't dwell a whole lot on last year, because a lot of those guys that made those mistakes last year aren't here," he said.
Marve arrived at Miami after capturing Florida Mr. Football and Parade All-America honors in the 2006 season at Tampa Plant, where he broke Heisman Trophywinner Tim Tebow's single-season state records for passing yards (4,380) and touchdowns (4
. In the process, he led Plant to a state title.Harris brought two state titles and a mythical national championship with him to the Coral Gables campus when he enrolled in January out of the MiamiNorthwestern power plant program. He too won Mr. Football and Parade All-America honors after guiding the Bulls to the 2007 crown, capping a career highlightedby a 30-0 record.
As a senior, Harris passed for 3,445 yards and 49 touchdowns, eclipsing Marve's year-old record, while completing nearly 67 percent of his pass attemptswith only six interceptions.
"Both of them have very good arms; they can move," Nix said. "They're both very competitive and they're winners. There's not a wholelot of difference between the two guys.
"The only negative is going to be experience, with both of them. I think they have everything else -- the tools, the desire and the work ethic, which isgoing to carry both of them a long way."
Smith is built more in the mold of former Cane Brock Berlin, but Nix notes that he doesn't quite have the arm strength or mobility of either Marve orHarris. He also spent the spring acclimating himself to a fourth offense in four years, after playing at three different schools over his final three seasonsof prep eligibility.
Cook is a big, raw talent who played in a run-oriented attack in Texas but suffered a MCL knee injury at the end of his senior season.
RUNNING BACKS
There was nothing wrong with the Hurricanes' ground game that a decent passing attack wouldn't have made better in '07.
The good news is both junior Javarris James (6-0, 214) and sophomore Graig Cooper (6-0, 202) return after combining for 1,264 yards and eight rushingtouchdowns a year ago.
After bursting on the national scene as freshman by rushing for 802 yards in '06, James slipped a bit last season (582 yards) last season. A tough,between-the-tackles back with an exceptional burst once through the line of scrimmage, James came through spring practice with a slight edge over Cooper in hisbid to retain the starting job.
Holding off Cooper will be no small feat after the prep school transfer's impressive rookie season with the Canes. The Memphis, Tenn. native -- by way ofMilford (N.Y.) Prep -- left a strong first impression on the Miami coaches when he ran for 116 yards on 12 carries (9.7 ypc) in last season's openeragainst Marshall. He also cracked the century mark with 101 yards against Duke and finished the season with a team-high 682 yards on 125 carries (5.5).
At full strength, the 1-2 punch of James and Cooper could take quite a burden off the rookie quarterbacks. Not only are they capable runners, but they arerock-solid as receivers out of the backfield and could provide valuable check-down options for a young quarterback. James has 31 career receptions for 300yards and a score, while Cooper snagged 13 for 129 yards and a touchdown last season.
"I don't think there's a doubt that Coop and J.J. can get it done and they're going to get it done," Nix said. "We've just gotto keep both of those guys healthy to where they can get it done."
To that end, the Canes are looking to bolster their depth at tailback.
"If you don't have anybody behind them you don't have very much flexibility, because you've got to keep one of them fresh and be careful [not]to get one hurt," Nix said. "We've got to find two or three of those other guys who are going to come along and help those two, take some of theload off them and give us the confidence they can go in and help us win."
Sophomore Shawnbrey McNeal (5-11, 190) is the fastest back and could provide the kind of changeup to the more physical styles of James and Cooper.
As a freshman he ran for 90 yards on just 20 carries, highlighted by a 39-yard touchdown run against Georgia Tech.
The Canes also got a lift in the spring from converted defensive back Damien Berry (5-11, 19
, a sophomore, who ran for more than 1,000 yards as a high schoolsenior at Belle Glade Glades Central.Senior Derron Thomas (5-9, 204) and redshirt freshman Lee Chambers (5-10, 180) provide additional depth.
The fullback position was manned by a committee last season, less than ideal given Miami's long-standing commitment to a conventional two-back set.
"Last year we didn't have a true fullback, and that's one thing that hurt us a lot," Nix said. "That's one reason we went out andsigned Pat Hill and John Calhoun to come in early from high school. Both of them had a good spring and hopefully will be able to fill that role."
Hill (5-10, 24
, is a junior transfer from El Camino (Calif.) Community College, while Calhoun (6-3, 235) is a freshman from Sebastian River.Both appear adept at blocking and catching passes out of the backfield, which is a staple in Miami's attack.
WIDE RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS
Quarterback isn't the only position where youth will be served in Miami's offense. The Hurricanes have no choice but turn to youngsters afterconsecutive seasons of sub-par play from their wide receivers.
Junior Sam Shields (6-0, 180) is the only proven commodity among four returning letter winners. As a sophomore Shields led the team with 27 receptions for 346yards and three touchdowns, highlighted by a six-catch, 117-yard performance in a victory over Texas A&M.
The other returning letter winners -- sophomores Kayne Farquharson (6-2, 185) and Leonard Hankerson (6-2, 21
and senior Khalil Jones (6-2, 220) -- combinedfor 16 receptions, 158 yards and two touchdowns."You've got four right there who have the experience," Nix said. "Then obviously, Aldarius Johnson coming in had a really good spring, andwe feel like he's just going to get better and better with time. He's a very smart player and a very hard worker and good player who we feel is goingto help us."
Johnson (6-2, 217), a January enrollee out of Miami Northwestern, has drawn comparisons to former Georgia Tech star Calvin Johnson. Coincidentally, Nix was theYellow Jackets' offensive coordinator during Johnson's All-America junior season. A physical force, Johnson collected 148 receptions for more than2,300 yards and 32 touchdowns over his final two seasons of high school.
Another newcomer to the mix will be speedy redshirt freshman Jermaine McKenzie (6-2, 173), who has battled injury in his young career.
More help is on the way courtesy of a signing class that includes five freshmen who bring diversity in size and skills to the table.
LaRon Byrd (6-4, 205) and Tommy Streeter (6-6, 200) add more size and big playmaking to the mix. By contrast, Travis Benjamin (5-11, 141), Thearon Collier(5-9, 163) and Kendall Thompkins (5-10, 165), should provide a smaller, shiftier group capable of creating mismatches from the slot.
"We've got a bunch of them coming in that are very talented, but you don't know which guy is going to make plays for you and do it early,"Nix said. "We'll have a lot of options this year, which will be nice; 10 or 11 guys you can choose from. That was one thing last year, number-wise, wejust didn't have a lot."
Senior tight end Chris Zellner (6-2, 247) hopes to continue Miami's outstanding tradition at the position, where he nabbed 13 passes a year ago and wasinstrumental in the run game.
Zellner will get some help from juniors Dedrick Epps (6-4, 255), who had eight receptions including a touchdown catch, and Richard Gordon (6-4, 260).
OFFENSIVE LINE
At first blush, Miami's offensive line situation appears to be a rebuilding project. While the Hurricanes return only two full-time starters, two othersstarted at least three games, while five more earned letters for substantial playing time.
"People think we have a retooled offensive line, but we have a lot of experience, a lot of playing time, on that offensive line coming back," Nixsaid. "When you really look at it, three out of the five started last year."
The Hurricanes have the most experience where it may matter most, especially with inexperienced quarterbacks.
Junior Jason Fox (6-6, 306) returns as a third-year starter at left tackle and the Hurricane lineman with the most NFL potential at this point. The righttackle position will probably go to senior Reggie Youngblood (6-6, 312), who made nine starts last season and has three years of playing experience.
Factor in the return of versatile junior Chris Rutledge (6-5, 314), who made three starts at tackle last season, and the Canes appear battle-ready on theedges.
"Those three will battle for those two spots," said Nix, who hopes to be able to rotate the trio and keep them fresh. That will be made easier withtested, fifth-year senior Tyrone Byrd (6-5, 309) also available for action at either tackle spot.
There is quite a bit more uncertainty regarding the interior line positions.
Sophomore left guard Orlando Franklin (6-7, 345) made three starts and saw considerable playing time as a freshman last season, and many believe he will be afuture star.
"Without a doubt, Orlando, with the playing time he got last year, is going to help a lot," Nix said.
Sophomore Joel Figueroa (6-5, 344) appears to have the lead at right guard after earning playing time in seven games last season. He could get pushed by juniorA.J. Trump (6-3, 30
, who has seen action at guard and center."Center is the biggest question mark up front," Nix said. "We've got three or four guys that will continue to battle there, get reps andwe'll see what happens."
In all likelihood, senior transfer Xavier Shannon (6-1, 29
the son of the head coach who played all five positions during his career at FloridaInternational, will get the opening day nod."[Shannon] is pretty natural at it," Nix said.
"He's played it before; he's played a little bit of everything before."
Not to be discounted from contention are Trump, redshirt freshman Tyler Horn (6-4, 295) and junior Matt Pipho (6-7, 315).
While there may be some question marks, size won't be one of them for the Canes. Beyond the most likely contenders for playing time, junior tackle ChrisBarney (6-4, 340) and sophomore Ian Symonette (6-9, 364) could also make their way onto the field.
KICKERS
For a second consecutive season, the Hurricanes will be breaking in a new kicker. Incoming freshman Jake Wieclaw (6-2, 180) should have the inside track to aposition that has been unsettled, at best, for the better part of the last four seasons.
Wieclaw set the Illinois high school state record with 48 career field goals, despite contributing just nine (on 11 attempts) when his senior season was cutshort by a broken foot. He has a career-long of 52 yards.
An outstanding athlete who was good enough to start at receiver, Wieclaw is a strong contender to handle kickoff duties as well.
Competition could come from junior walk-on Alex Uribe (6-1, 171) or sophomore Matt Bosher (6-0, 195), who handled all of Miami's punting duties andoccasionally kicked off last season.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Most teams would be concerned while facing the prospect of replacing three of their four most productive defensive linemen. As it turns out, the Hurricanes mayultimately be better, even though they enter the season without a bona fide star.
That, however, doesn't mean there aren't a few on the horizon.
Senior defensive end Eric Moncur (6-2, 250) is the lone Hurricane with more than four starts last season. An eight-game starter at left end, Moncur piled up acareer-high 48 tackles, including 11 for loss, six of which were sacks.
Senior Antonio Dixon (6-3, 32
and junior Joe Joseph (6-3, 304) each earned four starts last season at defensive tackle along the injury-riddled line. Josephfinished with 25 tackles in 10 games, highlighted by his career-best nine stops in a road win at Florida State. An early-season injury limited Dixon to justnine appearances and four starts, and Miami's resident space-eater responded with 21 tackles.They form the nucleus of a group that has considerable talent, even if it's short on experience.
"Going through the spring, we're almost like a pro football team from the standpoint of numbers," said Bill Young, the first-year coordinator."We're very, very thin. There was one practice where we only had two defensive ends for the entire practice. We were only two-deep [at defensivetackle]."
Of course the lack of bodies may end up being a blessing, because it required a high volume of repetitions in Young's new scheme.
"We were able to get them a lot of reps and they caught on quickly," Young said. "We put a lot of stuff in -- probably a little more than wereally wanted to -- and they caught on a little faster than we anticipated."
Freshman Marcus Fortson (6-2, 309), widely considered the nation's top interior lineman when he signed out of Miami Northwestern, and sophomore ChazWashington (6-4, 320) saw considerable practice action in the spring. Senior Dwayne Hendricks (6-4, 29
missed spring practice, but he's expected back byAugust camp. There he will join junior Luqman Abdallah (6-3, 307) and sophomore Josh Holmes (6-0, 290) to give the Canes more depth.There is more than enough physical talent at end for Miami to replace Calais Campbell, who jumped to the NFL after a sub-par junior season. While Moncur is theveteran, most people around the program speak of sophomore Allen Bailey (6-4, 287) in hushed, reverent tones. One would consider that odd, given Bailey did notmake a single tackle in 12 games, predominantly on special teams but also at linebacker.
Moved to end in the spring, Bailey played like a man-child.
"I've only seen one player that I've coached that I can put in the same category just from a physical outlook, and that was Alonzo Spellman,"Young said. "I coached him at Ohio State, and he reminds me a lot of Allen. Allen may be a little thicker at the same stage in time than Alonzo was. Hehas great, great physical traits. He's really been blessed."
Sophomore Steven Wesley (6-3, 257) and redshirt freshman Adewale Ojomo (6-3, 244) have drawn praise from the coaches.
"Wally [Ojomo] we think has a chance to be a heckuva player," said Young, who is also counting on the return of junior Courtney Harris (6-3, 267),who missed the spring.
LINEBACKERS
Injuries at linebacker hit the Hurricanes hard a year ago, and although they must replace graduated Tavares Gooden's 100 stops, they hope to do that withhealthy numbers. The pieces certainly appear to be there to get that done.
Capitalizing on injuries that thrust him into the lineup, junior Colin McCarthy (6-3, 230) emerged as a play-making star of the future from his strong-sideposition. The team's top returning tackler (6
, McCarthy logged 12 tackles for loss, including a pair of sacks. He returned a fumble 27 yards forMiami's clinching touchdown at rival Florida State, and also added a 30-yard return with his first interception against Texas A&M.McCarthy, however, sat out spring practice. Among those who did not were junior weak-side linebacker Darryl Sharpton (5-11, 232) and senior middle linebackerGlen Cook (6-0, 235), both of whom missed a great deal of last season with injuries.
Sharpton, who started the final five games of last season and finished with 57 tackles, is versatile enough to have played all three linebacker positionsthroughout his career. Cook is back for a sixth season after missing all of '07 with a foot injury. An 11-game starter in '06 -- with a team-high 14for his career -- Cook piled up 64 tackles in his last season in the fray.
"Darryl Sharpton and Glenn Cook really had outstanding springs," Young said. "They're veteran guys who have been around the program and havedone a lot.
Romeo Davis (6-3, 234) returns for a fifth season after missing all but two games last season with a right knee injury. A starter in '05 at weak-sidelinebacker, he will likely back up Cook in the middle, providing veteran depth to a corps that also includes seniors Spencer Adkins (5-11, 230) and EricHouston (6-2, 230). Sophomore Kylan Robinson (6-1, 232) is also back.
While the return of veterans is important, the real buzz about the program is the arrival of a heralded freshmen class of linebackers that has no peersnationally. Leading that wave were a pair -- Arthur Brown (6-2, 230) and Sean Spence (6-0, 202) -- who enrolled in January and wasted no time making theirpresence felt in the spring. Not that anyone expected otherwise. Brown was the nation's top-rated linebacker out of Wichita (Kansas) East, while Spencestarred at Miami Northwestern, where he made 41 consecutive starts.
"They took the majority of the reps," said Young, who worked Brown and Spence at the weak- and strong side, respectively. "I thought [Brown] andSpence both were really out-standing recruits, guys that don't come along very often. We think that they're going to be able to contribute, not only ondefense, but on special teams."
They aren't alone among heralded freshmen linebackers headed to Coral Gables. When August practice opens, they will be joined by classmates Jordan Futch(6-3, 202), Gavin Hardin (6-4, 240), Antonio Harper (6-3, 220), Brandon Marti (6-0, 196) and Marcus Robinson (6-2, 210).
DEFENSIVE BACKS
The one segment in Miami's defense seemingly destined for a breakthrough season is the secondary. Five players have considerable starting experience from ayear ago -- not including veteran senior safeties Lovon Ponder (6-0, 219) and Anthony Reddick (6-0, 20
-- the Canes should have no trouble replacing safetiesKenny Phillips and Willie Cooper, and corner Glenn Sharpe."It's an excellent group of athletes," Young said. "I think our corners should be a real solid position for us."
As well it should. Senior Bruce Johnson (5-11, 172), senior Randy Phillips (6-0, 20
, junior Chavez Grant (5-11, 180), sophomore Demarcus Van **** (6-1, 174)and senior Carlos Armour (6-3, 206) combined to make 30 starts at corner last season. Phillips, however, has since moved to safety, when he joins Ponder andReddick, who have 19 career starts between them.Phillips, Ponder and Reddick, who was on a course for stardom until suffering a pair of devastating knee injuries, are capable of playing both the free- andstrong-safety spots. Young noted it's the same flexibility the Canes have at corner, where they've all been cross-trained to play either the field(wide side) or boundary (short side) positions.
The return of junior Ryan Hill (5-11, 195) from wide receiver to safety, where he was initially projected as a signee, further adds depth to a strong group.Sophomore JoJo Nicolas (6-1, 200) has continually shown improvement to the point that he will also play significantly.
"It looks to me like a really good situation in that we've got a good mix," Young said. "We have some very experienced older guys who haveseen a lot of good football, and a really talented young group coming in and some guys in between."
Among the incoming talent, cornerback Brandon Harris (5-11, 185) -- the Gatorade Player of the Year in Florida -- is considered the best freshman cover cornerin the country and a threat to see immediate playing time.
That won't likely be the case with four other defensive newcomers, all of whom are listed as safeties. C.J. Holton (6-2, 195), C.J. Odom (6-0, 210), VaughnTelemaque (6-2, 190) and Joe Wylie (6-2, 172) may find the most direct route to early playing time will be through special teams, because of theHurricanes' defensive backfield depth.
PUNTERS
The job belongs to sophomore Matt Bosher (6-0, 195), who performed admirably as a freshman in '07. Bosher average 40.2 yards an attempt, including a longof 75 yards. Opponents chose to fair catch 19 of his punts, contributing to the Hurricanes' rock-solid 35-yard net average.
After evaluating Bosher in the spring, Young sees no reason he can't be of value to the team's defensive efforts, which always begins with fieldposition.
"We thought he did a very good job," Young said. "He was booming the football. He's got a very good leg and got a lot of height anddistance."
Accuracy is the lone area where Bosher needs significant improvement, after managing just nine punts downed inside the opponents' 20, which rankednext-to-last in the ACC.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Third-year special teams coach Joe Pannunzio has some work to do in order to shore up the Hurricanes' performance, which has been little more thanpedestrian in recent seasons.
Not only have the Canes had to deal with up-and-down performances by kickers and punters, there has been nothing resembling a consistent return threat sinceDevin Hester bolted to the NFL after the '05 season.
Miami was among the ACC's worst programs in the return game in 2007, averaging 19.3 yards on kickoffs and 8.3 on punts. Whether that will lead to some newfaces replacing the likes of Hill, Gordon and McNeal on kickoffs and Cooper or Grant on punts remains to be seen.
Suffice to say, an athletic-heavy signing class could go a long way to providing some much-needed help, both in returns as well as coverage. Hurricaneopponents were superior in both kickoff (21.7) and punt returns (9.1) last season.
Of course, Pannunzio has every reason to expect improvement in the kicking game, considering graduated Francisco Zampogna converted an ACC-low nine field goalson 15 attempts. Darren Daley was 4-of-6 on field-goal attempts, but neither converted from longer than 47 yards. Jake Wieclaw's leg strength should make asignificant difference, providing the coaching staff the confidence to attempt one field goal longer than 50 yards, something they didn't do last season.
Beyond the punters and kickers, the Canes must also replace 12-game long snap-starter Ross Abramson. Redshirt freshman Chris Ivory (6-2, 222) is Abramson'slikely successor.
BLUE RIBBON ANALYSIS
Grading the Hurricanes
Unit
Grade
Offense
B-
Special teams
C+
Defense
B
Intangibles
B
With so many youngsters ready to get into the playing mix right away, Miami's schedule provides very little relief, beyond the inaugural Dolphin Stadiumopener against Charleston Southern.
That will be followed by road trips to Florida and Texas A&M, sandwiched around an open date; not exactly the preferred travel calendar for breaking in afirst-year, starting quarterback.
Rebounding from last season's 5-7 mark won't be easy for a team that went into spring with 38 freshmen or sophomores on the roster and figured to pickup as many as 20 more by August.
Don't expect any excuses from a coaching staff more determined than ever to get things corrected.
"We're totally different right now," Nix said in early June. "I think we're a lot better than we were at any time last year. We havemore depth. I think there are a lot of positives coming out of the spring. The one obvious negative we're going to have to look at is the experience."
On defense, it will help that Young is a veteran -- albeit first-year at Miami -- coordinator with plenty experience when it comes to teaching.
"Our kids caught on real quickly, and their work ethic and attention to detail has really been good," Young said. "It's a real sharp groupof young men."
Still, he won't risk overloading the youth-laden defenders too early.
"We don't want to confuse them, because defense is a game of reaction, and if you're thinking too much you can't react," he said."So we'll try to keep it as simple as we possibly can as long as we possibly can."
Beyond significantly upgrading the talent base, Miami catches a break from the ACC schedule makers who have them facing Coastal Division contenders NorthCarolina and Virginia Tech at home, along with FSU and Wake Forest, who are arguably two of the best teams in the Atlantic Division.
Whether the schedule is important will probably hinge of the development of young quarterback prospects Marve and Harris. It's anyone's guess how thatwill work out.
For the most comprehensive previews available on the Division I-A teams, order the "Bible" of college football, the 2008 Blue Ribbon College FootballYearbook, at www.blueribbonyearbook.com or call 1-866-805-BALL (2255).
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Exactly what I was thinking
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^Eric Berry is a true Sophmore.
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or the fact that warren didnt do enough last year to be on the list.
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The Wizard -
Thanks for the info!
Thanks for the info!
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that *%+ stay rocking them clogs, $+**$ be in cleats or clogs
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I came in here to post that same pic. lol
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Very surprised Tebow is not rocking the jorts.
