For a school that has produced linebacker stars like Ray Lewis, Dan Morgan, Jonathan Vilma and Michael Barrow, Miami hasn’t had a true star at the position in quite a while.

Since 2010, Denzel Perryman (11th), Shaq Quarterman (12th), and Michael Pinkney (14th) all had solid careers ranking inside the UM top 20 career tackle list for a career but are they considered stars? Maybe? Possibly?

Xavier Atkins could potentially be that guy for the Hurricanes in 2027. Atkins was a first-team All-SEC selection in 2025 and was on his way to another all-conference season this year before being dismissed by Auburn. He was dismissed this week but had already been suspended before Auburn’s 27-24 win over then-No. 1 Georgia.

Atkins announced Tuesday morning that he will finish the academic semester at Auburn before entering the transfer portal on Jan. 4, when the 10-day portal window opens.

Based on his production over the past few seasons, Atkins would obviously be a fit on the field. However, Miami’s staff and university would need to look into the circumstances surrounding his dismissal and determine whether he would be a good fit for the program and campus.

If everything checks out regarding his dismissal, I think this is an opportunity Miami should seriously consider. Atkins could give the Hurricanes some much-needed star power at linebacker.

Atkins would have two years of eligibility remaining under the five-for-five rule.

 

Thurston Armbrister

 

Why did he get dismissed?

how many million views and counting?

Definitely a ridiculous post

 

Denzel and Spence

 

at miami ... shaq quarterman was a monster ...

 

Definitely a ridiculous post

Seems like a perfect Mario guy

 

Eddie Johnson #44.

Go Canes!

 

Bad egg, do not want

To me, a bad egg wouldn't stay on in school to finish the semester. Says a little something about him. Maybe he made a mistake. Lots of stuff is forgivable.

 

Perryman. Shaq is second.

 

Definitely a ridiculous post

Return to sender

 

Five years in, it’s safe to say that linebacker evaluations recruiting and development have been a failure

Ya you make title games like this dont ya. Lol the takes on here are hilarious.

 

Romeo Davis

 

Eddie "The Grim Reaper" Johnson

 

Ya you make title games like this dont ya. Lol the takes on here are hilarious.

The starters for Miami is a 25 year-old linebacker in Toure and a Mandy Diaz holdover in Chase Smith who are admitted good when playing the run or just making place around the LOS.

Past coverage that’s a whole another topic

 

If you have a real culture you don’t even think about messing with this

 

Spence

 

Definitely a ridiculous post

Yea keep him away

 

Perryman, but I would lean more towards Spence

 

We can be picky about a few positions tbh.
Running back, corner.
Besides mali and AR we can add receiver.
Love fletcher. True cane and a legend with this uninform. But idk if he’s an nfl starting caliber back.
If we are really talking about superstars we can be critical. As afar as college level players that can help is win games we’ve produced a good chunk of players.

Superstates? We can be picky.

I think the skill position drought we’ve had considering our location has been criminal.
Poor evaluations. Either we’ve been swinging for the wrong highly ranked players or not really evaluating or projecting local players
Isaac brown comes to mind most recently.

But…… Fletcher can do things n this offense that Brown can’t. Pass pro from fletch is elite of elite. And that alone might make him draft eligible along with short yardage plays

This has been talked about several times n here. So let’s just enjoy what we have.

Also, let’s not act like some of our natty teams had a superstar on every position.
It’s a team sport and we’ve had enough talent to win 5 nattys and plenty in the nfl and crb hall of fame.

In the last 10 years we’ve probably seen players that will make both so let’s not be so picky.

 

I agree that if it's not a culture fit, it's not worth it. That said, to play devil's advocate, if a guy is very talented, with this weird NIL, transfer era, do you consider bringing someone in in January and seeing how they respond to spring practice, adhering to schedules, comportment, demeanor, etc. and if they do not meet expectations, telling them before the season to take a hike? Not saying this was like Cam Vaughn situation but I feel that coaches can take more flyers on a guy now than before.

 

Perryman definitely hit dudes like a LB should. Shaq and Pink were good, but weren't stars.