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.

 

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

Who are the college linebackers who are good/great at both run stopping and pass coverage?

 

Denzel

 

Honestly, the last lb that was a play to play star was probably Sean Spence.

Most recently it’s a toss up between Spence and Denzel. I give Denzel a leg up as the talent (or lack there of) around him and D’s scheme were criminal for what he had to offer. I believe the professional career after lends to that thought. Both would be monsters and well appreciated if they were operating today.

Sad to say but the last truly elite guys we had here were Morgan, Beason and Vilma so it’s been a bit. No disrespect to the guys we have getting snaps now but I’d be happy with having Colin McCarthy as an option.

 

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.

Fletch is playing in the league. Currently Kiper's #2 back.

 

Who are the college linebackers who are good/great at both run stopping and pass coverage?

Shaq Quarterman and Denzel Perryman

If referring to today’s linebackers, then I would definitely say Alabama’s Xavier Griffin

 

Return to sender

I don't want anything to do with a guy like Atkins. Way too much smoke. Elijah Melendez is another story altogether.

To answer your question I would say Denzel Perryman then Sean Spence before him.

 

Crazy part is I feel like we have a LB friendly scheme. We don't seem to do a good job diagnosing guys who have a knack for the ball.

 

Def Sean Spence

 

The answer is Denzel Perryman.

 

Spence, Perryman, Shaq in that order since 08. The play Perryman in the bowl game on 4th down in 2014 was insane.

 

James Williams?

He played safety here.

 

Sean Spence.

 

He’s a great dude who doesn’t get in trouble off the field. However, he does have a lot going on in life and he has had locker room confrontations going back to Jonesboro that has followed him everywhere he’s been. I suppose it just his personality but I don’t see him fitting in to Mario’s culture. And I’ll say this - it’s **** hard to get kicked off of Auburn.

 

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.

Pass coverage that’s a whole another topic

The LBs have been a weakness. Remain a weakness. Not sure why people argue about it.

Speaking of the title game... that QB run on 4th and 5 was a great play call against our defense... Are we better at stopping that with better LBers the last few years, including this year or is it a gap in our defensive philosophy ... both?

 

Makes no sense to take a kid dismissed from his team.

Didnt we try that with some Bama DT? Theb he jist got dismissed here also. Lesson learned.

 

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.

Perryman was the only one on that second list that you could consider a star and even that was pushing it a little. It’s been a long time for us.

 

He played safety here.

Was a joke as he should have played LB here as he is a starting LB in the NFL.

 

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.

Bring back 2nd portal

 

Shaq Quarterman and Denzel Perryman

If referring to today’s linebackers, then I would definitely say Alabama’s Xavier Griffin

Yes, today's LBs. You've named one. I've named none. I asked partially because I don't know. I watch a fair amount of games, but I do not watch with more than a fleeting interest unless it's the Canes. It might not be much, but I do have a life. I also asked because I think that particualr skill set - being good/great at both - is really rare. Not like unicorn rare, but still rare nonetheless, and I don't think it's easy to find them. Not that you asked what I thought...

 

Spence
Perryman
Pinckney

Honorable mention* Toure