UM linebackers that arrived on campus around 200 lbs or less...

[McKenzieMoore]

Ray Lewis, Jonathan Vilma, Michael Barrow, Jessie Armstead, Darrin Smith, Twan Russell, Jon Beason (thought he would be a Safety), Randy Shannon...and of course Rohan Marley. I purposely listed the 3 MLB's first. The point is, I wouldn't be concerned about the size of the kids we're recruiting. We're going back to the blueprint. Our recruits are very athletic, can cover receivers(1990 - we beat Houston's run and shoot in our base defense w/Armstead and Smith covering the slots), their aggressive, very smart, coachable and LOCAL. D.J. Williams was a 5* that was so hyped some suggested he could go straight to the NFL.....Vilma, local, much lighter recruited guy was better from day one. Same thing, to a lesser extent w/Beason and Leon Williams right after them. Trust the coaches and the process.

 

[5XNC]

I’m not sure that’s really accurate on some of those guys...

 

[McKenzieMoore]

I’m not sure that’s really accurate on some of those guys...

Which ones.

 

[SouthCak Cane]

We are not the Big 10 we don’t recruit slow box shaped lbs. We are The U and our lbs are small and fast. Look at Jermaine Grace when he came in 200 lbs soaking wet and he turned out OK

 

[Billy D Williams]

Ray Lewis, Jonathan Vilma, Michael Barrow, Jessie Armstead, Darrin Smith, Twan Russell, Jon Beason (thought he would be a Safety), Randy Shannon...and of course Rohan Marley. I purposely listed the 3 MLB's first. The point is, I wouldn't be concerned about the size of the kids we're recruiting. We're going back to the blueprint. Our recruits are very athletic, can cover receivers(1990 - we beat Houston's run and shoot in our base defense w/Armstead and Smith covering the slots), their aggressive, very smart, coachable and LOCAL. D.J. Williams was a 5* that was so hyped some suggested he could go straight to the NFL.....Vilma, local, much lighter recruited guy was better from day one. Same thing, to a lesser extent w/Beason and Leon Williams right after them. Trust the coaches and the process.

Thanks for backing up your point with physical facts. I like speedy linebackers who "want" to tackle and are capable of meeting the challenge of pass coverage.

 

[Pentagon Cane]

Sean Spence was generously 190 pounds when he arrived on campus.

 

[Combo]

I agree with the OP. And this holds whether they are MLBs or OLBs.

That said, I don't think this precludes a bigger guy from playing LB here (e.g. Rian Davis). The important thing is that they have the ability to read and react.

 

[Canesfreak]

Forgot Beason was a safety. Kid definately ate his wheaties.

 

[McKenzieMoore]

University of Miami Hurricanes Official Athletic Site Twan Russell 1992 roster.

 

[McKenzieMoore]

I agree with the OP. And this holds whether they are MLBs or OLBs.

That said, I don't think this precludes a bigger guy from playing LB here (e.g. Rian Davis). The important thing is that they have the ability to read and react.

I'm not saying it precludes recruiting bigger LBs at all. Just that we shouldn't forget or stray from the success this program has had recruiting lighter, fast guys and building them up.

 

[McKenzieMoore]

University of Miami Hurricanes Official Athletic Site Jessie Armstead 1989 roster

 

[ajone228]

Great post. I think Manny has done a great job of identifying and closing on who he wants.

 

[CoachDannyMiaz]

I went to Chaminade with Beason & Cook. There's no way Beason was under 200 pounds when he arrived at UM. He was bigger than Cook (who had pretty much the same frame as Anthony Solomon but with 15 or so more lbs). Beason was 215 at the very least.

Yes, he did play safety and tailback at Chaminade, but he was bout as big a safety or tailback as you'd ever see at that level. He looked like a bigger Derrick Smith in HS.

I can't speak on the other LBs, but I find Beason being less than 200lbs hard to believe.

 

[gogeta4]

I went to Chaminade with Beason & Cook. There's no way Beason was under 200 pounds when he arrived at UM. He was bigger than Cook (who had pretty much the same frame as Anthony Solomon but with 15 or so more lbs). Beason was 215 at the very least.

Yes, he did play safety and tailback at Chaminade, but he was bout as big a safety or tailback as you'd ever see at that level. He looked like a bigger Derrick Smith in HS.

I can't speak on the other LBs, but I find Beason being less than 200lbs hard to believe.

Beason has been my friend since the 7th grade. He was over 200 pds when he was like 14-15 yrs old. He definately was over 215 walking into UM. I dont think any of the guy listed had the frames or looks of the current commits at Lb. The game has definately changed, even from the early 2000's. Like a kid like Solomon wouldnt get a double look at his size, but he has a role now in a defense when dealing with spread offenses as he's a guy that understands coverage techniques exceptionally well. Like stated Glen Cook was considered a small guy...Cook has these guys by over and inch and 15+ pounds easy.

 

[McKenzieMoore]

Sean Spence was generously 190 pounds when he arrived on campus.

I knew I was going to forget someone.

 

[QoCane85]

Ray Lewis, Jonathan Vilma, Michael Barrow, Jessie Armstead, Darrin Smith, Twan Russell, Jon Beason (thought he would be a Safety), Randy Shannon...and of course Rohan Marley. I purposely listed the 3 MLB's first. The point is, I wouldn't be concerned about the size of the kids we're recruiting. We're going back to the blueprint. Our recruits are very athletic, can cover receivers(1990 - we beat Houston's run and shoot in our base defense w/Armstead and Smith covering the slots), their aggressive, very smart, coachable and LOCAL. D.J. Williams was a 5* that was so hyped some suggested he could go straight to the NFL.....Vilma, local, much lighter recruited guy was better from day one. Same thing, to a lesser extent w/Beason and Leon Williams right after them. Trust the coaches and the process.

Fock yeah Vilma was better!

 

[PSU Cane]

Some of the guys listed in this thread were recruited 25-30 years ago. It's not an apples-to-apples comparison.

Weight training in high school is much more advanced. Nutrition and supplements are much different. On the average, kids today are stronger and more developed.

 

[CashMoneyCane]

Might be able to throw Perryman in there. I know he was relatively short but recall him bulking up quite a bit. Jermaine Grace too.

I'd rather a fast guy who may be smaller but is built like a tank to a larger, slower LB. The smaller guys usually end up hitting harder and generally have more athleticism. But it only works if you're dominant up front.

 

[gogeta4]

Might be able to throw Perryman in there. I know he was relatively short but recall him bulking up quite a bit. Jermaine Grace too.

I'd rather a fast guy who may be smaller but is built like a tank to a larger, slower LB. The smaller guys usually end up hitting harder and generally have more athleticism. But it only works if you're dominant up front.

Perryman his junior year spring at Miami was 253pds. He literally told me it after the spring game. His listed weight may have been small on his profile but i have to think he came into UM near 220.
Grace had a nice frame..but Grace though slight always brought the hammer.

 

[bobbo31]

Ray Lewis, Jonathan Vilma, Michael Barrow, Jessie Armstead, Darrin Smith, Twan Russell, Jon Beason (thought he would be a Safety), Randy Shannon...and of course Rohan Marley. I purposely listed the 3 MLB's first. The point is, I wouldn't be concerned about the size of the kids we're recruiting. We're going back to the blueprint. Our recruits are very athletic, can cover receivers(1990 - we beat Houston's run and shoot in our base defense w/Armstead and Smith covering the slots), their aggressive, very smart, coachable and LOCAL. D.J. Williams was a 5* that was so hyped some suggested he could go straight to the NFL.....Vilma, local, much lighter recruited guy was better from day one. Same thing, to a lesser extent w/Beason and Leon Williams right after them. Trust the coaches and the process.

I played against Beason and there’s is no way he was playing his senior year at anything less than 210 let alone an off-season in the weight room before coming to Miami. Ray Lewis only played in high school at under 200 lbs because he wrestled at 189. I’m pretty sure he was well over 200 lbs by the time he ever played a game his freshman year.

The point is well taken that regardless of size we need to start/keep recruiting speedy, instinctive LB’s like we did in our prime years. Dan Morgan is actually one of the prime examples of recruiting speedy, instinctive players who are undersized in high school who are lightly recruited coming out of high school.