All time “What may have been” Team

[CaneTheGaytors]

Jerome Brown!

As great as he was, he would have gone down as one of the top 3 DT’s to ever play in the NFL if it wasn’t for his tragic death at such a young age.

 

[firstandcanes]

At Miami yes Gore could be on the list but the guy is third all time in rushing yards in NFL history. I wouldn't call that unrealized potential.

McGahee should have won the heisman in 02. While the knee injury hampered his pro career he did still manage to rush for nearly 8500 yards.

 

[CaneInHeelCountry]

Eh, not really getting then point of this thread.

Listing a lot of players who got injured but still made it to the league, won nattys and Super Bowls, etc. I’m not seeing that as a “what could have been” or “never reached their full potential.”

Dudes like Willie Williams, OTOH…now there’s wasted potential that you’ve gotta wonder what coulda been if he’d had even an ounce of common sense.

 

[TemplarCane]

And also is a future NFL HOFer....has no business on this list...or Jesse Armstead..

We never saw Gore’s full potential at UM.

I think that’s the intent of the OP listing him.

 

[McKenzieMoore]

Huh? He went to five pro bowls and played for 11 seasons and is in the NYG Ring of Honor.

Semper Canes!!!

He did that despite losing a step after knee surgery as a freshman. He was a 4.3 guy.

 

[Canesfan1899]

QB - Kyle Wright

Still one of the highest rated prospects in the history of 247 sports.

Four offensive coordinators and two head coaches during his five years on campus. IMO Kyle Wright is the epitome of what may have been.

This was my first thought. Beat to **** behind a pour out OL and too many different systems.

 

[ManPower4]

Michael smith - LB. 90s guy.

arguably one of the most talented LBs we’ve ever had here. He had a horrible knee injury in college - was never quite right.

Great call

One of the bigger UM LBers at the time standing at 6'3. In fact when he signed I thought he would be turned into a DE since UM was a stickler for turning the taller LBers into DE.

OLM Caesar O'neal a mountain of a recruit at 6'8 and well over 300 lbs. UM recruited him out of Huntsville, Texas. Turned his back on Texas A&M and signed with the UM. IIRC, he was USA today first team AA which was as high of a honor a recruit could receive at that time. Cancer was detected in fall camp 92 and he never played.. Passed away in 95.

 

[Derrick Griffin]

Latwan Anderson
Derrick Griffin
Seantrel Henderson
Ray Ray

Wait on it. This my year.

 

[AUcane]

Great call

One of the bigger UM LBers at the time standing at 6'3. In fact when he signed I thought he would be turned into a DE since UM was a stickler for turning the taller LBers into DE.

OLM Caesar O'neal a mountain of a recruit at 6'8 and well over 300 lbs. UM recruited him out of Huntsville, Texas. Turned his back on Texas A&M and signed with the UM. IIRC, he was USA today first team AA which was as high of a honor a recruit could receive at that time. Cancer was detected in fall camp 92 and he never played.. Passed away in 95.

glad to see another old head. I remember O’Neal - he had loads of medical issues. I used to frequent the practice field often back during that time since my good friend was a ball boy for the team. I recall going into the lockeroom and seeing O’Neal lying on the floor with an IV.

but you’re right, big time prep kid and we signed him kind of out of nowhere.

as for smith, yeah, probably the tallest LB we’ve had here (chase smith is very similar to him, ironically) and MS’s injury was supposedly one of the worst people had ever seen. He was a 6-3, 225 kind of guy who can run like a WR and big time recruit.

 

[SFbayCane]

Willie Williams???

 

[NC_Canes_11]

QB - Kyle Wright

Still one of the highest rated prospects in the history of 247 sports.

Four offensive coordinators and two head coaches during his five years on campus. IMO Kyle Wright is the epitome of what may have been.

We’ll need a full roster if we’re adding guys who never realized their potential bc of coaching/coaching changes.

 

[RangerGranger]

Don't forget about the college hall of fame talent that sadly departed way too early. Dude was violent and fluid. I remember the quotes: "Are you practicing as hard as Eddie Johnson?"

 

[Ohio_Cane]

Spencer Whipple

 

[GojiraCane]

Caesar O’Neil. Gigantic D-lineman whose career was tragically ended by cancer.

 

[Trav]

Perhaps Gore had less than stellar numbers at UM but he is one of the most durable and productive backs in UM history. Not sure how he made the list.

I've talked about it before. As great as Frank was and is, he was never the same after he blew the first knee. He's an NFL legend for his longevity and production, but if he doesn't blow the knee out (twice) he's in the Barry Sanders/Bo Jackson category.

 

[SFbayCane]

We’ll need a full roster if we’re adding guys who never realized their potential bc of coaching/coaching changes.

Thats what this thread is for. Post your examples.

 

[ManPower4]

I've talked about it before. As great as Frank was and is, he was never the same after he blew the first knee. He's an NFL legend for his longevity and production, but if he doesn't blow the knee out (twice) he's in the Barry Sanders/Bo Jackson category

Hyperbole.

There are levels to this.. Two good knees or not.

 

[Trav]

Hyperbole.

There are levels to this.. Two good knees or not.

What's hyperbole? Anyone who saw him extensively at Gables High or wants to go back and watch his freshman UM highlights realizes as great as his career has been, it would have been that much better had he not blown out his knees.

 

[TexasCane90]

He might be a HOF specialist but Devin Hester

dude could have been Tyreke Hill before Hill…. Coker and his bullcrap staff could never figure out how to harness that talent into their “pro style bro” offense

 

[Trav]

On topic: RJ Macintosh just released by Giants. Have to think the health issues derailed him.