The good news is we made modest improvements. We went from below-average to fringe Top 25, and we did so without earning Manny an undeserved extension. The second part is key.
The bad news is that, once we fixed the offense and kicking game, our defense collapsed. This program can’t get all three rolling at the same time. Ranked teams exposed us.
The worst news is that D’Eriq King—who has done everything right and overcome so much—has to deal with an extended rehab. It sucks.
Now we enter what promises to be an insane offseason. The onetime transfer rule will change everything. I also expect significant defensive staff changes. Since Manny isn’t going anywhere this year, what does Miami need to do over the next eight months to move forward?
- Manny’s first order of business is honestly evaluating the defense. The numbers don’t lie. Manny inherited a defense that was 92nd in yards per play. They jumped to 16th his first year, followed by three Top 10 finishes. This year, they finished 58th and got demolished by good teams. Did offenses catch up to Manny’s system? Did his bad evaluations at LB catch up to him? Did he hire the wrong DC? Whatever happened, it falls on Manny.
With that said, I’d be hesitant to make revolutionary changes. Manny’s core principles (one-gap, simple enough to play fast) had us playing the best defense we’ve played in 15 years. But we need fresh veteran eyes, preferably with experience in big-boy football. You can’t be surrounded exclusively by coaches you trained. Manny has a non-football background and came to prominence because of his defense. It's part of his identity. But he’s also a realist and a politician's son. Another year like that on defense gets him fired.
- The next issue is QB. If King is facing an 8-month rehab, it complicates things. Kosi has been a stand-up dude. He deserves an opportunity to lead his own team. I would be honest and tell him that King will start whenever he comes back. That likely leads to a transfer. TVD and Garcia would then battle it out and possibly start the four non-conference games. Realistic scenario, you enter ACC play 3-1 with a healthy King and better clarity about your QB of the future.
- Miami used to be the gold standard at WR. Now the position is more important than ever, and we stink. This message board did a better job evaluating Elijah Moore, a first-team All American, than our coaches did. We can’t make the same mistakes evaluating our own team. We are past the point of rebuilding confidence. Wiggins and Pope aren’t it. It’s time for ruthless competition, including Romello Brinson and Jacolby George.
- Don’t be shy in the Portal. Yes, you need to build the foundation through recruiting. There is already a Top 10 class in the can. But the onetime transfer rule will create a feeding frenzy, and Miami has enough of a track record to pursue the best of the best. This year showed we aren’t fast enough or physical enough on defense. Forget scheme- who was our tone-setter? Any difference-makers in the Portal should get our full attention.
- The word is out about DE DeAndre Johnson from Tennessee. He already has Day 3 draft grades from scouts and is strong against the run and pass. He will help with some of our edge-setting issues. The next target is a CB with size and speed. There are no shortcuts at that position: we’ve complained about big and slow CBs, but we saw a smaller CB in Couch get bullied against Okie State. If the name I’ve heard comes to fruition, we will be happy. We also need a new coach recruiting the position.
- Wish some players well in future endeavors. Age is good, but there needs to be a standard of athleticism on defense. I don't need to name names, but we know who is lacking. Recruits like James Williams and Leonard Taylor start as freshmen at Clemson and Alabama. They shouldn't need to wait here.
- Evaluate the evaluators. People are complaining about South Florida players, but 7 of them made All-American teams. We didn't recruit 6 of them: Elijah Moore, Nik Bonitto, James Wiggins, Tiawun Mullen, Rashad Weaver and Jose Borregales (out of HS). Manny needs to figure out why we missed on those guys and what lessons we can learn.
Overall, we need to move past 2019. That nightmare season has been erased by this year's modest improvements. Don't treat the '21 team like an abused puppy. Raise expectations, trust your recruiting and don't hesitate to bench anybody that can't help us beat Clemson. If they're unhappy, they can leave.
This program has been irrelevant for more than a decade, and we're getting old. It's not enough to improve on a team that lost to FIU. Next year is make-or-break. Get well D'Eriq King and Go Canes.
