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| Stacy Coley (Photo Courtesy of CanesWarning.com) |
Written By: Nathan Skinner
Canes Rising Contributor
The 2014 Miami Hurricanes offensive unit is capable of great things. This unit has a ton of talent in the skill positions, and some solid guys in the trenches. The key will be replacing Stephen Morris, and finding a way to stay healthy because depth is a major concern, especially for the men up front.
(True Freshmen are noted in italics, Graduate Transfers are noted in underlined italics)
Names aren't listed in depth chart order
Quarterback
Jake Heaps
Kevin Olsen
Ryan Williams
Brad Kaaya
Malik Rosier
This position has a ton of names, and an impressive amount of young talent. The problem is that none of the young talent is experienced, and the experienced players aren't as talented as the newcomers. Whoever wins the battle will be leading a unit that is explosive at the RB, WR, and TE positions. The key will be managing the game, and limiting turnovers. Heaps looks to be the leader going into fall camp, but don't be shocked if Kaaya or Olsen win the job. Williams is coming off of an knee injury, so he won't be available until September. With the talent surrounding the position, whomever wins the job will not have to worry about a shortage of weapons. Last year, this position was very inconsistent with Stephen Morris. If this year's signal caller can manage to use the entire field and effectively control the game, it will not only help the offense, it will help the defense.
Grade:C+/B-
Running Back
Duke Johnson
Gus Edwards
Joseph Yearby
Walter Tucker(FB)
A very good set of backs, led by All-America candidate Duke Johnson. The major question here is whether Yearby and Johnson can return to form after suffering injuries. Edwards looks to be a promising power back, especially after gaining weight and having a solid spring. Walter Tucker was the fullback in the spring, but replacing Maurice Hagens will be tough. Hagens was an underrated player, a guy who was a threat in the passing game, and a solid lead blocker. At this point, I don't see a replacement for him on the roster. However, fullbacks aren't overly important to this offensive scheme, so it's not a major cause for concern. Look for Clive Walford to be an H-Back in short yardage situations.
Offensive Coordinator Coley has to make sure that these talented backs are fully utilized. Last year, these backs weren't utilized properly, and the offense suffered as a result. Gus Johnson shouldn't ever run another stretch play, and Duke Johnson shouldn't be the short yardage back. Successfully utilized, this unit has the talent to be among the best in the ACC.
Grade:B+/A-
Wide Receiver
Stacy Coley
Herb Waters
Malcolm Lewis
Philip Dorsett
Rashawn Scott
Braxton Berrios
The best position group on the team. Coley had an outstanding freshman season, scoring 10 touchdowns, he's on the verge of breaking out on the national stage. Herb Waters and Phil Dorsett are big play threats, and Waters has the size to go over the middle. Scott, if he can stay focused, and out of the doghouse, has the talent to be a major contributor. Malcolm Lewis is still struggling to return to form after his injury, but he has good hands, and runs crisp routes. Braxton Berrios, an incoming freshman that was injured in an all star game this January is unlikely to see significant playing time, and is a likely redshirt candidate. This group is deep and talented.
Grade: A-/A
Tight End
Clive Walford
Standish Dobard
Beau Sandland
There's talent, and there's questions. Clive Walford has NFL tools, but is extremely inconsistent. The number of big drops is a disconcerting trend with Walford, a player that tends to be open on a regular basis. Dobard and Sandland are talented, but didn't make significant contributions last year. Dobard and Sandland should be ready to take a major step forward but beyond that, nothing is certain. Look for Walford to see more targets this season, he was ignored at times last season by Stephen Morris.
Grade: C+/B-
Offensive Line
Jon Feliciano
Ereck Flowers
Shane McDermott(C)
Taylor Gadbois
Daniel Isidora
K.C. McDermott
Sunny Odogwu
It's a rebuilding year on the offensive line, but this unit should be able to protect the passer, and open holes for Duke and Yearby. Malcolm Bunche, a major contributor over the last couple of seasons, decided to transfer to U.C.L.A which means that younger players will get playing time early. One of these young players is K.C. McDermott, a player expected to the the LT of the future. If he can adjust to the college game and understand the protection calls, look for him to be the 1st man off the bench. Shane McDermott is the best of this group, he is a great leader in the middle. Last year, Seantrel Henderson was an enigma, a player with elite talent, but unwilling to put it all together. That isn't the case with Ereck Flowers, a potential star. Flowers has the long arms to keep speed rushers at bay, and the athleticism needed to protect the blind side. I expect him to get national attention by the end of the season.
Grade: B-/B
Kicker
Matt Goudis
Goudis doesn't have a strong leg, but it's an accurate leg, especially on short to medium range kicks. He was 13 of 17 last season, and didn't miss an extra point. Goudis is solid, he isn't Carlos Huerta, and he isn't Todd Sievers. Goudis doesn't have a strong enough leg to be a weapon in the kickoff game, so look for someone else to handle that job.
Grade: B-/B
This Miami offense has come a long way from the beginning of the Golden era, it finally looks like a typical Miami team, especially in the non quarterback skill positions. Athleticism is back at The U, but the playmakers need someone to get them the football. The major question is the QB position, and when that's the case, it's hard to get a good read on the unit as a whole. I fully expect this offense to be better than last season's, especially if Heaps or Kaaya wins the starting job. This is by far the best unit on the team.
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