My 10.
1. The QB - Whoever it is, needs to play good. Get the ball to our playmakers (Duke, Yearby, Coley, Dorsett, Waters, Lewis, etc.)
I'm thinking Kaaya or Olsen. Right now, leaning towards Kaaya. Would have said Olsen if he didn't have the off field issues and suspension and the spring game flop. He played great all spring till the spring game. For now Kaaya is the man IMO. Who knows when Williams comes back. I think Heaps is insurance if worst comes to worst.
2. Duke - we need him to stay healthy. Was on pace to break records last year and almost recorded 1000 yards rushing in half a season last year. Apparently his timed runs are back where they need to be. And hopefully the added strength makes him more durable. He will be relied on heavily this season. He says he's faster now too. Hope he puts it to good work. Duke is what Miami was made of. Hard Worker. Special player and could cement his legacy even deeper this year breaking some records. He brings a big threat on returns. All-American year is set for him, everything is needed. Breaking in a new qb, he's going to need carry us at times.
3. Coley - What more could you ask for in a freshman receiver, had the rough start in his first game. But made progress as the season progressed and became a star. He's as dynamic possibly even more than Santana was when he was here, in all facets of the game. If we have good qb play. Sky is the limit. Good qb play = expect 1000+ yards and 10+ TDs from this playmaker and possibly a reverse or two to the house and some returns to the house. He's that good. He is OUR Sammy Watkins if you want to put it that way. Sure fire all-American if he's healthy.
4. Perryman - Has turned into a true leader of this team. 100+ tackles last year and lots of backbreaking hits. He does need help from the rest of the D unit especially two new starters next to him at LBer... hopefully upgrades but I expect another big year and possibly an all-American season.
5. Wyche or Huertolou - Whichever one of these two big hog mollies steps into the nose tackle role. They need to take on two offenders and hold the line and wreak havoc in the middle to let our pass rushers, improved secondary and our star linebacker to play freely. One of them needs to fill that role, and fill it good.
6. The O-Line, mainly Flowers - Breaking in a new qb, we need good protection and confidence for our qb. And the o-line needs to make push for our running backs in Duke, Yearby and Gus to create holes. Because we will probably rely on the run more often early in the season. These guys will take us far into the win column with their play this season.
7. Howard - Every year he has improved, and if he lives up to his potential which I surely expect him to do. Could be talking about a high number of picks for him in the secondary if we have an improved front 7.
8. Muhammad,McCord, and Thomas - We need 1 of these guys to emerge as a big threat as a pass rusher. McCord and Muhammad have shown promise but they must take the next step. Thomas is a 5 star talent coming in size ready to wreak havoc. If one could step up in a big way, it would go a long way for our defense to improve from the abysmal decline it has shown the last few years. Heck even if two or all three of them can. The more the merrier.
9. The safeties mainly Dallas - I expect Deon to have one spot locked in as a starter. And I expect him to come back strong, many players have slump seasons in their careers, it's happened to many players who have come through here before. He showed great promise as a freshman and some flashes last year through injury and the rough time with his fathers illness. I believe he comes back strong and becomes what we need back there. I have Carter and Dallas as an or between each other. I think Carter gets more starts at safety and I think he brings elite athleticism and measurables to the table and knockout ability. I expect a sophomore surge for him and a good season, some picks too. I see Dallas playing more of a nickel/safety role. That's why I have him as an or with Carter. I think Dallas brings great leadership to the defense, and can see him really motivating his teammates and being an impact out there in multiple roles, he's versatile, which I see that being a good reason why staff would have hard time keeping him off the field, his natural position is at DB, so he should be a lot more comfortable, you don't just pick off 19 passes in two years like its nothing, he was a ballhawk coming out and hopefully still is. As for Jenkins, I don't have him as a starter but we always rotate the top 4 and I think he brings good athleticism and size to the position as well, he needs to be more consistent but definitely we have upgraded our safety rotation over night and it will play a big part. I expect Hester and Gayot to impact special teams and for Hester to get some time maybe even more if someone goes down and impress on the field.
10. Yearby - Every year we have a freshman who emerges and this year I expect it to be Yearby. We sorely missed dukes impact when he went down last year and we took a big hit with it. But the addition of Yearby brings a very talented back who can make an impact in the running, receiving and possibly return game. Yearby is next in line for Canes running back legacy.
Honorable Mention -
Kirby & Grace
Dorsett, Waters, & Lewis
Walford or Dobard
