Miami Hurricanes Team Preview 2009

July 23rd, 2009 by Jeremy Shory

miami-hurricanes-logo2 2008 overall record: 7-6

2008 conference record: 4-4

Returning starters: Offense: 8, Defense: 8, Punter/Kicker: 2

Top returns: QB Jacory Harris, OT Jason Fox, WR Aldarius Johnson, WR Travis Benjamin, RB Graig Cooper, RB Javarris James, LB Sean Spence, LB Darryl Sharpton, CB Chavez Grant, K/P Matt Bosher, DE Allen Bailey

Key losses: QB Robert Marve, OT Chris Rutledge, C Xavier Shannon, LB Glenn Cook, S Anthony Reddick

Jimmy Graham- future TE? (courtesy Icon SMI)

Fall Fantasy Question

Tight End. Former basketball forward Jimmy Graham has reportedly said he will join the football team this fall as a tight end, and it’s a position that can use some help- especially with the knee injury to Dedrick Epps. But how much will Graham be able to help considering he hasn’t played the sport since high school?

Team Breakdown

Quarterback – Right now, Miami is down on the list, but like North Carolina, there is plenty of potential at the position. In a mistake by the Miami staff in my opinion, Harris split time with former Miami player Robert Marve last year. Harris was inconsistent, but he has that something extra, that makes me believe he could be a breakout player in 2009. Harris led late comebacks victories over Virginia and Duke last year. Taylor Cook will probably be the backup. He’s 6’7″, but has no collegiate experience. 2008 Stats: Harris – 118 for 194, 1,195 yards, 12 TDs, 7 INT, 45 rushes for 101 yards, 2 TDs.

ACC Rank – 8

Running Back – The leading returner to the Hurricanes is rusher Graig Cooper. He gained over 800 yards in 2008. However, behind him you have the often injured (but talented) Javaris James, cousin to ex-pro bowler, Edgerin James. If he can come back healthy for his senior season and returns to the form that made him a Freshman All-American, the Hurricanes will possess one of the best one-two punches in the ACC. 2008 Stats: Cooper – 171 rushes for 841 yards, 4 TDs, 29 receptions for 113 yards, 1 TD. James – 68 rushes for 286 yards, 4 TDs, 11 receptions for 118 yards.

WR Travis Benjamin (courtesy Icon SMI)

Wide Receiver – The Canes may have the best young receiver in the ACC in Aldarius Johnson. He led Miami with 31 receptions and 332 yards last season, as a true freshman. At 6-2, 205 he also has good size for a wide receiver. Laron Byrd and Leonard Hankerson give the Hurricanes two more receivers over 6-2, as Byrd is 6-4, and Hankerson is 6-3. Miami also has great quickness with sophomores Thearon Collier and Travis Benjamin, who are probably the biggest playmakers on the team and will contribute extensively on special teams. 2008 Stats: Johnson – 31 for 332 yards, 3 TDs. Collier – 26 for 324 yards, 2 TDs. Benjamin – 18 for 293 yards, 3 TDs. Byrd – 21 for 228 yards, 4 TDs.

ACC Rank – 1

Tight End – TE is where the Canes may lack depth. Starter Dedrick Epps is recovering from reconstructive knee surgery, and his status for 2009 is in doubt. Richard Gordon, who only caught three passes last year, would likely start at TE if Epps is unavailable. If Epps is back and he produces like last year, Miami is the solid #1 for this group. 2008 Stats: Epps – 22 for 304 yards, 2 TDs. Gordon – 3 for 24 yards.

ACC Rank – 3

Defense – Miami’s D will be good as always since they did not lose a whole lot of the skill positions on defense. Like Florida State, Miami played a ton of underclassmen last year and will look to do the same as they incorporate Rey Rey Armstrong at Safety amongst some of the other incoming freshman. The biggest weakness last year on this team was in the secondary and watch for that to be a strong point this year in Coral Gables. Randy Shannon knew what needed to be tweaked and he recruited for it. Throw in a new defensive coordinator with solid schemes and they have a recipe for success later in the year. Linebackers Sean Spence and Darryl Sharpton should help the front seven out pretty solidly.

ACC Rank – 3

Kicker/Special Teams – Kick Matt Bosher is returning which provides a great boost to Miami’s special teams. He was 100% with his extra points and 90% with field goals. He didn’t have as many field goal opportunities as some of the other kickers in 2009, but I would expect his attempts to jump quite a bit as Miami should be able to move the ball well late in the year under Mark Whipple’s new scheme. Graig Cooper had a punt return for a touchdown and Miami probably has the most explosive returner in Travis Benjamin. Benjamin should see the end zone a time or two this fall on special teams. 2008 Stats: Bosher – 40 for 40 extra points, 18 for 20 field goals, longest field goal was 52 yards. Cooper – 1 punt return for TD.

ACC Rank – 1

2009 Schedule

Sept. 7 at Florida State
Sept. 17 Georgia Tech
Sept. 26 at Virginia Tech
Oct. 3 Oklahoma
Oct. 10 Florida A&M
Oct. 17 at Central Florida
Oct. 24 Clemson
Oct. 31 at Wake Forest
Nov. 7 Virginia
Nov. 14 at North Carolina
Nov. 21 Duke
Nov. 28 at South Florida

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