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25 Most Important Players

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Astcloud11

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The 25 most important Miami Hurricanes heading into 2016 | Canes Watch

The Hurricanes open fall practices Aug. 4, and on that date will truly begin to answer a lengthy list of questions.

Among the unknowns: Can they protect Brad Kaaya? Will the cornerbacks be any good? Can Stacy Coley stay healthy, and are there any other receivers who can scare defenses? Will a young linebacker group be exposed when the stakes are higher? Will playmakers emerge along the defensive line?

As we wait for those answers to emerge, here’s one writer’s list of who is most important to the team. It’s not necessarily a ranking of the best players. Think of it this way: if so-and-so was removed from the equation, how bad a loss would that be? The most significant losses go first. If you think a player is ranked too highly, consider the position he plays, and the depth behind him.

I expect you’ll disagree with some of these selections (I mean, I might disagree with some of them tomorrow). Leave a comment or tweet at me and we’ll hash it out.

We did the same thing around this time last year. Several players are holdovers from last year’s list, but only one is in the same spot.

The list:

1. Brad Kaaya, QB, Jr. (Last year: 1). The Franchise, plain and simple.
2. Stacy Coley, WR, Sr. (6). Miami’s fastest and most proven receiver. Must stay healthy, which is something he hasn’t done since he was a freshman All-American in 2013.
3. Corn Elder, CB, Sr. (25). The only cornerback on the roster with significant experience. An All-ACC season would go a long way in making Miami’s defense a formidable one.
4. Jermaine Grace, LB, Sr. (3). Canes need him to remain productive (139 tackles, 12.5 for loss last two years combined) and guide a young linebacker unit (one likely to be without Juwon Young).
5. Danny Isidora, RG, R-Sr. (11). Started last 26 games. Most consistent performer in spring and earned trust of UM’s new coaching staff. Can swing to tackle if needed.
6. Nick Linder, C, Jr. (10). Smart, tough and dependable on an offensive line with big question marks. Should be recovered from shoulder surgery that forced him to miss spring practices.
7. David Njoku, TE, R-Soph. (NR). Physical target in a passing game that lacks depth. Will take on a much larger role this fall.
8. Joe Yearby, RB, Jr. (15). Not the fastest or largest back, but a solid workhorse who put up 1,002 yards. Strong in pass protection, too.
9. Kc McDermott, LG, Jr. (17). Came to Miami as a tackle but has settled in at guard, which could be his best position.
10. Trevor Darling, LT, Jr. (18). Should take a step forward after full year on Kaaya’s blind side. Like McDermott, a former four-star recruit hoping for a breakout junior year.
11. Sheldrick Redwine, CB, Soph. (NR). Will be tested early as teams see if he can hang. Played as a reserve last year, but made an impact on special teams.
12. Al-Quadin Muhammad, DE, R-Jr. (20). UM’s most dynamic pass-rusher has high-round NFL draft talent. Has to show it every week. (We’re betting on him being with the team, though it’s still unknown if he will face discipline).
13. Mark Walton, RB, Soph. (NR). Outstanding pass-catcher with above-average speed. (We also anticipate he remains a Hurricane. His DUI trial begins Monday.)
14. Rayshawn Jenkins, S, R-Sr. (NR). Has more interceptions (seven) than any returning defensive back. When healthy, a reliable playmaker.
15. Whomever is Miami’s third cornerback. Could be sophomore Michael Jackson or grad transfer Adrian Colbert (or someone else), but depth at this position is quite thin.
16. Chris Herndon, TE/HB, Jr. (NR). Multi-purpose weapon will see the field often.
17. Jamal Carter, S, Sr. (NR). Canes need him to be a solid performer in first full year as a starter. Has always looked the part, but needs to be consistent. Can’t miss tackles.
18. Stan Dobard, TE, Sr. (7). Could improve hands, but blocking will help line generate push. Overtaken by Njoku and Herndon in the passing game, but will have a role.
19. Chad Thomas, DE, Jr. (22). Can he flip the switch on his five-star talent? Ideally for Miami, would team with Muhammad to create a pair of impact edge players.
20. Braxton Berrios, WR, Jr. (24). Showed newfound burst in the spring.
21. Justin Vogel, P, R-Sr. (21). Preseason All-ACC selection a picture of quiet excellence.
22. Gerald Willis, DT, R-Soph. (NR). Expectations high after redshirt season. Some inside the program think he’ll be one of the ACC’s best.
23. Shaq Quarterman, LB, Fr. (NR). Stepped on campus looking like a legit middle linebacker.
24. Gus Edwards, RB, R-Jr. (4). If recovered from foot injury, will be short-yardage weapon.
25. Jaquan Johnson, S, Soph. (NR). Will play plenty as third safety and possibly nickel back.
On the bubble: Darrion Owens, LB, R-Soph. (9); Michael Badgley, K, Jr.; Kendrick Norton, DT, Soph.; Courtel Jenkins, DT, Jr.; Sam Bruce, WR, Fr.; Ahmmon Richards, WR, Fr.; Dayall Harris, WR, R-Soph; Lawrence Cager, WR, Soph., Michael Pinckney, LB, Fr.
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Agree? Disagree?
 
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Personally...Behind our top 2, I would have Jermaine Grace...His production and the way he leads will play a large role in making things easier for the other 2 LB starters. In addition, he will most likely be sliding into coverage if we had to switch to a 4-2-5 on the go, so he would definitely be the most important player considering his roles. Next I would go with Danny Isidora, since he will play a huge part in the running game, followed by whoever starts at LT to boast the passing game (T. Darling is expected to start so far). Basically I agree with the list but I would slide Corn Elder down behind the OLineman and some DLineman. With an elite front 7, the CB's won't be as important because they will be waiting for e-z pickings (hopefully).
 
Can't have a top 25 list with the QB at #1 and the LT out of the top 5.

Just because we don't have a natural or even truly reliable one doesn't mean the player who ends up there is less valuable.
 
OL, 1 - 5
CB, 6 - 10
DL, 11 - 18
Kaaya - 19
RBs 20 - 22
Freshmen 23 - 25

That's how I see it. OL is absolutely pivotal and a close second is CB play. DL needs to make plays and get after it to make CBs play easier. If all those take place Kaaya's job becomes easier and less is on his shoulders. Then we turn to the RBs that need to step their games up and produce at a higher rate which will in turn make Kaaya look good and the play action more viable. Lastly we need some freshmen (LBs/WR) to come in and make some plays.
 
That Canes watch post was asinine. 25 most important players? Sorry..doesn't work like that. This is a young team with many key parts that equally have to contribute. After Kaaya they are all important to potential success.
 
marshallrc13 said:
OL, 1 - 5
CB, 6 - 10
DL, 11 - 18
Kaaya - 19
RBs 20 - 22
Freshmen 23 - 25

That's how I see it. OL is absolutely pivotal and a close second is CB play. DL needs to make plays and get after it to make CBs play easier. If all those take place Kaaya's job becomes easier and less is on his shoulders. Then we turn to the RBs that need to step their games up and produce at a higher rate which will in turn make Kaaya look good and the play action more viable. Lastly we need some freshmen (LBs/WR) to come in and make some plays.
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You think Kaaya is the 19th most important player?

:monkey-serious::monkey-serious:
 
Canemang said:
marshallrc13 said:
OL, 1 - 5
CB, 6 - 10
DL, 11 - 18
Kaaya - 19
RBs 20 - 22
Freshmen 23 - 25

That's how I see it. OL is absolutely pivotal and a close second is CB play. DL needs to make plays and get after it to make CBs play easier. If all those take place Kaaya's job becomes easier and less is on his shoulders. Then we turn to the RBs that need to step their games up and produce at a higher rate which will in turn make Kaaya look good and the play action more viable. Lastly we need some freshmen (LBs/WR) to come in and make some plays.
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You think Kaaya is the 19th most important player?

:monkey-serious::monkey-serious:
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Not necessarily but considering the ones I put in front of him maybe. OL is crucial to him staying upright and healthy and creating holes for RBs. CBs are the talk of the offseason and will be critical in Diaz's defense. And the DL needs to live up to the hype to ease the CBs. Kaaya is #1 , but if you don't get the others it won't matter and he won't last.

Plus in Kaaya you know what you have. The others are a bunch of ???
 
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I'm of the discipline that the game is won in the trenches..if OL gets it done..the Offense will soar...If the front four gets it done..the Defense will soar..

Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk
 
UknowWhat said:
I'm of the discipline that the game is won in the trenches..if OL gets it done..the Offense will soar...If the front four gets it done..the Defense will soar..

Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk
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Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk
 
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Will never understand the Jamal Carter hype. Always out of position, and whiffs more than Mike Stanton at the plate.

Actually I realize we as a fanbase overhype any highly rated safety with dread locks (Ray Ray and Telemaque).
 
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LOL at a top 25 most important players. The list got so goofy he had to resort to "whoever the 3rd CB is."

There's Kaaya, Elder, then everyone else.
 
BeachCanes said:
Will never understand the Jamal Carter hype. Always out of position, and whiffs more than Mike Stanton at the plate.

Actually I realize we as a fanbase overhype any highly rated safety with dread locks (Ray Ray and Telemaque).
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You've never seen him play in position so how can you truly make this claim?
 
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