Defensive Analysis
Being Miami, there are always going to be talented players ready to step in for the lost stars. This year will be a big test needing to replace stars D.J. Williams, Jonathan Vilma, Vince Wilfork and Sean Taylor. CB Antrel Rolle leads a speedy secondary and the line should be among the best in America, but depth is a bit of an issue and several young stars need to immediately play like veterans.
Star of the defense: Senior CB Antrel Rolle
Player that has to step up and become a star: Junior MLB Leon Williams
Unsung star on the rise: Sophomore FS Brandon Merriweather
Best pro prospect: Rolle
Top three all-star candidates: 1) Rolle, 2) DT Orien Harris, 3) LB
Roger McIntosh
Strength of the defense: Defensive line
Weakness of the defense: Depth in the back seven
Defensive Line
Projected Starters
- Defensive end Thomas Carroll, Jr. - Carroll missed spring ball with a shoulder problem, but he'll be ready to roll by the start of the season as one of the team's rising superstars. He is extremely quick and an excellent all-around playmaker with 51 tackles, five sacks and 16 quarterback hurries. He also recovered three fumbles.
- Defensive tackle Orien Harris, Jr. - Clear a spot in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft for him. The 300-pound junior is one of the best pass rushing tackles in the country with 18 quarterback hurries and four sacks last year while making 39 tackles. He benefited from playing next to Vince Wilfork, and now he'll be the main anchor after a big spring.
- Defensive tackle Santonio Thomas, Sr. - The most experienced lineman on the team, the 308-pound Thomas has grown into a premier run stuffer while also showing a great ability to get into the backfield. He made 22 tackles last year backing up Vilnce Wilfork.
- Defensive end Baraka Atkins, Soph. - A scary-good talent, the 263-pound sophomore can play either end or talent showing the pass rushing skills to making five sacks and 16 quarterback hurries on the outside to go along with 43 tackles despite missing a game with an injury.
Top Backups
- DE Javon Nanton, Jr. - The former walk-on became the team's best pure pass rusher last season leading the was with eight sacks to go along with nine quarterback hurries despite his limited role. He'll backup Thomas Carroll on the left side.
- DT Kareem Brown, Soph. - Brown made 23 tackles and four sacks in a reserve role last year. He is a big tackle with the quickness to get into the backfield and be a force against the run. He'll see time on the left side behind Orien Harris.
- DE Alton Wright, Sr. - The former JUCO star didn't make too much of an impact last year only making nine tackles, but he has all the athleticism and speed to be a killer pass rusher. He'll play on the right side behind Baraka Atkins.
The Skinny: Three starters return to a line that generated 37 sacks
and only allowed 11 touchdown runs. Gone is Vince Wilfork from the middle,
but Santonio Thomas and Kareem Brown are more than good enough to take over.
The ends should be out of this world if Alton Wright and Javon Nanton shine
in the rotation behind Thomas Carroll and Baraka Atkins.
Player to keep an eye on: Orien Harris ... Defensive Line Rating: 9
Linebackers
Projected Starters
- Tavares Gooden, Soph. - The 220-pound true sophomore can flat out fly using his speed and instincts to be a factor on either outside linebacker job. He'll start out the season taking over for D.J. Williams on the weakside.
- Leon Williams, Jr. - Williams will take over for Jonathan Vilma in the middle after making 23 tackles as a reserve. He got a little bigger over the last year bulking up to 237 pounds, and now he should be a physical, speedy presence on the inside.
- Roger McIntosh, Jr. - A backup last year on the strongside, McIntosh will be the leader and biggest hitter after making 23 tackles. He was a superstar on special teams and has more than enough talent to be the next great Hurricane linebacker.
Top Backups
- Glenn Cook, RFr. - One of the key linebackers in the mix, the 222-pound Cook will be the main backup in the rotation on the outside. He has the strength and speed to handle either job.
- Willie Williams, Fr. - One of the best recruits in the nation and generally considered 2004's best linebacker prospect, Williams has 4.4 speed and NFL hitting ability. The only question is off the field where a variety of skirmishes with the law has put his eligibility, and his Miami career, in jeopardy.
The Skinny: Miami is going to have to reload after losing Jonathan
Vilma, D.J. Williams and Darrell McClover. Roger McIntosh is a great player
to start with, but there isn't quite the all-around talent level in the corps
to make anyone forget about the starts that are off to the NFL. There's no
experience whatsoever among the backups.
Player to keep an eye on: Leon Williams ... Linebacker Rating: 7.5
Secondary
Projected Starters
- Cornerback Antrel Rolle, Sr. - Rolle is the only returning starter to the Miami secondary, and that's probably a mistake. The 6-1, 202-pound senior should've been off to the NFL making millions, but he'll have to settle for being one of the best cover-corners in the country. He isn't just great in pass coverage, he can also stick making 51 stops. The concern is his status after being arrested and charged with felony battery on a law enforcement officer and misdemeanor counts of disorderly conduct and resisting an officer without violence.
- Free safety Brandon Merriweather, Soph. - All Merriweather has to do is replace All-Everything superstar Sean Taylor and his 77 tackles, ten interceptions and intimidating presence. He saw a little bit of time as a backup making 22 tackles and breaking up five passes looking like a star in the making. While not as big as Taylor, he can hit.
- Strong safety Greg Threat, Jr. - Threat has seen plenty of playing time last year filling in when Maurice Sikes hurt his knee and finished with 19 tackles. He's a fast player with the tackling ability to take over for Sikes without missing a beat.
- Cornerback Kelly Jennings, Jr. - Jennings split time with Alfonso Marshall last year using his elite speed to making 18 tackles and break up six passes. He started in six games and will be more than ready to handle the pressure with teams staying away from Antrel Rolle.
Top Backups
- Cornerback Glenn Sharpe, Jr. - Sharpe has the talent to be a star corner, but he has to get healthy after suffering a knee injury last year. While listed as the backup behind Antrel Rolle, it might take a while for him to be back to normal.
- Free safety Marcus Maxey, Jr. - The big, quick Maxey has spend most of his time on special teams making 16 tackles. He has also seen some snaps in the secondary showing his potential.
The Skinny: The Canes have some massive retooling to do losing star
safeties Sean Taylor and Maurice Sikes. Antrel Rolle is one of the best corners
in the nation and Kelly Jennings will be fine, but they need to stay healthy
with little depth behind them. Glenn Sharpe is still trying to get over a
knee injury while Terrell Walden will most likely miss the year after hurting
his knee this spring.
Player to keep an eye on: Brandon Merriweather ... Secondary Rating: 8
Special Teams
- Placekicker Jon Peattie, Soph. - Peattie was one of the team's biggest surprises connecting on 22 of 28 field goals while turning into a clutch kicker. He'll be one of the best in an ACC loaded with great kickers.
- Punter Brian Monroe, Soph. - Monroe is the one weak link in the Cane special teams averaging only 35.7 yards per kick and putting only 11 inside the 20. He needs to add another five yards to his average or Jon Peattie could end up taking over.
The Skinny: The return game is strong as Devin Hester averaged 28.7
yards per kickoff return and Roscoe Parris averaged 10.4 yards on punt return,
and the coverage units are great. If Brian Monroe can turn into more of a
punting weapon, the kicking game will be one of the best in the nation.
Special Teams Rating: 8.5
