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OFFENSE
2021 will be Year 2 of OC Rhett Lashlee’s spread, up-tempo offense. HC Manny Diaz elected to ditch the pro-style offense Miami has traditionally run, and it paid off in 2020 — even without spring camp to fully implement the new system.QB
Miami’s level of success this season starts and ends with D’Eriq King. King chose to come back for his (redshirt) 6th season, taking advantage of the NCAA COVID-19 eligibility rules.
King, a Houston transfer, is a dynamic playmaker at the QB position. He is the definition of dual-threat. King threw for 2,686 yards and 23 TDs while throwing only 5 INTs. He also contributed 538 yards and 4 TDs on the ground. His legs often bailed the Canes out of inopportune situations, like the one below.
However, King is coming off an ACL, and missed spring camp for the 2nd year in a row. All indications are that he will be ready to go for the opener vs. Alabama in Atlanta, but whether he is 100% is to be determined.
King does have his limitations. He struggles with downfield accuracy. Clemson exposed this, loading the box and forcing UM’s WRs to beat them on the outside. They couldn’t. It didn’t go unnoticed, and practically every team UM faced for the rest of the season used the Clemson blueprint. King also tends to tuck it and run too early, when he could (and should) stand tall in the pocket (pun intended; King is only 5’9").
A large part of this was Miami’s failures at OL. When King had a clean pocket, he had the 11th best pass grade in the FBS, per PFF. When pressured, his pass grade dropped to 46th.
Despite his limitation, there is no doubt King is a playmaker. His health is the key to Miami’s success. If he can stay healthy and take the next step in Lashlee’s offense, the Canes have a great shot of winning the ACC Coastal.
RB
Miami has a 3-headed monster at RB. While most publications have Cam Harris (643, 5.1, 10TDs) pegged as the starter, several even naming him to their pre-season All-ACC teams, I don’t believe Harris will be the starter. I think that job will go to Sophmore Don Chaney, Jr.
Chaney (322/4.7/3)was taking hold of the starting job in spring camp before going down with an injury. He has the most natural talent of any RB on the roster, and the best chance to be a contributor on Sundays. He can run between the tackles with power and is explosive enough to house it on any given play.
That’s not to say Harris isn’t a solid back. He is more of a one-cut-and-go type, but if he can find a crease he can get to the 2nd and 3rd level in a flash. He is also an excellent pass protector.
Knighton (209/4/1) is more of a scatback, quick and twitchy, and a receiving threat out of the backfield. He will be used situationally.
WR/TE
Miami’s WR unit has largely disappointed the past few seasons and needs some of its younger, talented guys to take the next step.
Mike Harley (57/799/7) had an excellent season and is poised to become Miami’s all-time leader in receptions and yardage. He primarily worked out of the slot and will start there this season. Xavier Restrepo has coaches and fans excited and should be Harley’s primary backup.
Oklahoma transfer Charleston Rambo appears to have one outside position locked down, according to spring practice reports. Rambo brings speed to take the top off the defense that Miami lacked last season. It should be noted that Rambo struggled mightily last year as a Sooner, finishing the season with a 57.9 receiving grade from PFF, and making only 2 of 13 contested catches (15.4%). Expectations should probably be tempered until we get to see live bullets.
The 2nd outside spot is up for grabs. Mark Pope (33/403/2) and Dee Wiggins (31/358/3) were starters last season, but both struggled badly with drops. Look for Keyshawn Smith to emerge as the 2nd outside starter if Pope and/or Wiggins don’t clean it up.
Miami lost all-ACC TE Brevin Jordan to the NFL, but Will Mallory has plenty of experience. Mallory has not yet lived up to the hype he garnered as a recruit, but is poised to have a break-out season now that he is the main guy. CBS Sports projected him as a 1st round pick in a recent mock draft.
OL
Miami has struggled at OL the past few seasons but looks poised to make a significant jump this season. Per Brad Powers, Miami’s OL has a combined 190 starts, a CFB record.
The unit is led by LT Zion Nelson, who finished last year strong, allowing only 5 QB pressures and 2 sacks over the final six games of the season. Nelson has received plenty of 1st round hype, with some pundits projecting him as a Top 5/10 pick. Personally, I think he needs to get stronger to warrant that kind of projection, but he is certainly an all-ACC player.
The RT position is a battle between 7th-year senior Jarrid Williams and DJ Scaife, who moved inside to RG last year and struggled. Scaife had success in 2019 at RT; he doesn’t possess the power to play inside, and his long arms and good footwork make him a better fit at the tackle position. Look for Scaife to win the job, and Williams to be the first man off the bench as a swing tackle.
Former 5-star recruit Navaughn Donaldson redshirted last season, after reporting to camp overweight and out of shape. Word out of spring camp is Donaldson has lost weight in anticipation of his money year and has the potential to be an all-ACC guard.
Overall, the OL needs to get better in the run game, specifically on first downs. They need to keep King healthy, and create fewer 2nd and long situations.
Final Offensive Analysis
Can King stay healthy? Can the OL protect him? Will someone step up at WR? There are a lot of questions with this Miami offense. But if everything breaks right, this could be one of the top offenses in the nation.
DEFENSE
HC Manny Diaz cleaned house on the defensive side of the ball, mainly spurred by UNC embarrassing the Canes for 556 rush yards in a 36 point loss. Diaz is returning to his roots and serving as DC this season. The staff he assembled appears to be a significant upgrade, led by DB coach Travaris Robinson (South Carolina). The Canes return 87% of their individual snaps on defense, and bring in some talented pieces to add to that.
DL
Miami needs to replace both bookends, as starters Jalean Phillips and Quincy Roche (along with Gregory Rousseau, who opted-out) moved onto the NFL. DE production hasn’t been an issue during Diaz’s tenure at Miami, so Canes fans are hopeful that someone steps up. Tennessee transfer Deandre Johnson and rFr Cam Williams appear to have the lead entering fall camp. 5-star DT Leonard Taylor arrives in the fall, and word is the staff plans to play him at DE until he bulks up enough to move inside.
Miami has depth and talent at DT. Jordan Miller, Jonathan Ford, Nesta Silveria and Jared Harrison-Huente all have plenty of experience and this unit should be a strength for the team.
LB
LB has been an issue at UM since Shaq Quarterman and Mike Pinkney departed. MLB Corey Flagg is instinctual and sound, even if he lacks ideal speed and athleticism. At WLB is converted Striker Keontra Smith. Smith looked great in the spring game and brings speed to the position that has been sorely missed. Sam Brooks, Jr., Waynmon Steed and Brandon Jennings provide depth and can be effective if used situationally. Still, this unit has a lot to prove.
5-star James Williams arrives in the fall, and it wouldn’t surprise me to see him get a look at WLB, since the safety room is already so crowded.
Secondary
Miami’s secondary is the deepest and strongest unit on the team, and has the potential to be one of the best in the nation. Pre-season all-ACC safety Bubba Bolden leads a deep, talented group including returning starter Gurvan Hall and Fr Avante Williams. Willams missed last season with an undisclosed injury, but his film looks amazing and I predict he will be the next great safety to come out of Miami.
The Striker position is led by So Gilbert Frierson, who shined last season after converting from CB. Fr Chase Smith impressed in spring camp and should be a quality backup.
The CB unit is led by Georgia transfer Tyreke Stephenson, who moved back home to SFla because he was not happy playing nickel at UGA. Stephenson has one CB slot locked down.
The other spot will likely go to either Al Blades, Jr., or DJ Ivey, last year's starters. Ivey has struggled, but Coach Robinson said he has the talent to be a first-team all-SEC guy. Canes fans would be thrilled with above-average ACC play from Ivey. At nickel, Te’Cory Couch is small but quick and sticky. He has the potential to have a breakout season.
Final Defensive Analysis
Diaz is taking back control of his defense. Will he go back to the upfield, attacking style that led the Canes to a 10–0 start and making the Turnover Chain a national story in 2017, or will that same defense continued to get gashed by OCs that have it figured out? Can the LB unit become at least an average ACC unit? Look for more blitzes on 3rd down with Diaz back at the helm, especially if the EDGE defenders can’t get the requisite pressure. If the defense holds its end of the bargain, the Canes should end up in Charlotte.
Special Teams
Miami has to replace Lou Groza Award winner Jose Borregales. His younger brother, Andres, will take his spot. P Lou Hedley is on most pre-season All-American lists and is rock solid.
Miami hasn’t gotten much from its return units, finishing 97th in starting field position in 2020.
Final Analysis
So many questions, most importantly King’s health. An opening showdown with Alabama should provide some level of insight as to where this team might go — they don’t need to beat Bama, but they do need to keep it close. The Coastal will likely come down to Miami’s trip to UNC on October 16. The winner of that game is the favorite to win the division.
Picks
Miami team total currently sits at 9 (down from 9.5), slightly juiced to the over. With King’s health being in question, I would lean under, but not enough to bet it. We will watch Week 1 and adjust the power ratings accordingly.
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