Miami 2021 Football Preview

2020 Recap

Miami entered 2020 looking to rebound after a disappointing 2019 season. The Hurricanes got off to a fast start behind their new quarterback, D’Eriq King, with solid wins over UAB and Louisville. Miami played their best game of the season the next week when they dismantled rival Florida State 52 – 10. The fast start alleviated the concerns from 2019, but it also created high expectations for the rest of the season.

The undefeated Miami team traveled to Clemson for a much hyped prime-time game the next week. The Hurricanes defense hung tough for a while, but the offense could not make enough plays and the defense wore out in a 42 – 17 loss. There’s no shame in losing to Clemson, though there was some concern if the Hurricanes would bounce back.

Miami showed a lot of fight over the next several weeks as they bounced back and found ways to win over the next five games. The strong streak would come to a screeching halt in the regular season finale against North Carolina, 62 – 26. A loss to Oklahoma State in the Cheez-It Bowl and an knee injury to D’Eriq King put a damper on the end of the season, but Miami had recovered from a tough 2019. In 2021, the team will look to build on that 8 – 3 season and continue to climb the college football ladder.

2020 Leaders

Projected Starters

Reasons For Optimism

King Returns

Miami’s offense got a huge boost in 2020 from the arrival of quarterback D’Eriq King. The star quarterback was not only efficient running the Miami offense, but bailed the team out when they were struggling as a unit. King is an effective passer and a devastating runner, especially when he escapes pressure and breaks contain. He averaged 8.2 yards per pass attempt and threw 23 touchdowns against just 5 interceptions. King also ran for 538 yards and 4 touchdowns, forcing defenses to account for him in all situations. King suffered an injury in the bowl game, but appears to be on track to open the season for the Hurricanes. Offensive coordinator, Rhett Lashlee returns for his second season and the innovative play caller will be the first coordinator King has gotten to work with for more than one season. That familiarity should allow King to take his game to new heights in 2021.

Potent Skill Players

At times in 2020 Miami struggled to make plays at receiver or to stay healthy enough to be dynamic at running back. Receiver Mike Harley became a reliable weapon as the season progressed and the Hurricanes added Charleston Rambo from Oklahoma to stabilize the receiver position. Mark Pope, Jeremiah Payton and Dee Wiggins will have to compete for playing time with youngsters like Keyshawn Smith for playing time in a talented receiver room. Tight End Will Mallory has been a good player backing up Brevin Jordan and is ready to step into the spotlight. At running back, Cam’Ron Harris is a steady back who has proven he can perform at this level. With a year under their belts second year backs, Don Chaney and Jaylan Knighton are ready to challenge him for playing time and bring a more dynamic presence to the backfield. The arsenal of weapons at King’s disposal will be more dynamic in 2021 and will push the offense to new heights.

Improved Secondary

The Hurricanes return a lot of key pieces in the secondary and have added talent to strengthen the position further. Tyrique Stevenson has transferred in from Georgia and will lead the cornerback room, taking pressure off the other players at the position. Safety, Avantae Williams returns from an injury that kept him off the field in 2020 and is probably the most talented player the Hurricanes could play opposite Bubba Bolden. James Williams is a top tier recruit who will add depth immediately and push for playing time at the striker position. The defensive backfield returns everyone from 2020, but has added players that could raise the level of play in the secondary even more.

Causes For Concern

Defensive Ends

Miami had to replace Greg Rousseau a year sooner than expected in 2020, but thanks to Jaelan Phillips and Quincy Roche the defensive end position was a strength on the field again last season. Both Phillips and Roche have left for the NFL. With 30 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks between them the duo leaves big shoes to fill at Miami. None of the returning defensive ends had more than 5 tackles for loss or 2 sacks in 2020. Deandre Johnson’s transfer in from Tennessee will provide some stability, but he is not the player Phillips and Roche were. The Hurricanes have done a good job producing quality defensive ends recently, but until the next star emerges there is a big question mark at the defensive end spot.

Inexperienced Linebackers

With Miami’s history at linebacker it’s odd to put together starting lineup without a star at the position. Sam Brooks had his moments in 2020, but finished the year with just 37 tackles. He is the leading tackler among the projected starters at linebacker. With Brooks, Corey Flagg and Keontra Smith in the mix there is potential in this group, but they are short on experience. The linebacker position will be an area of concern until these players are able to prove they can be tackling machines week in and week out.

2021 Schedule

Top 25 Players

2021 Projection

Miami has a tough out of conference schedule to open the season. The Hurricanes will be big underdogs against Alabama and cannot allow that game to be bigger than one game. They play Appalachian State in week 2 and will need to be focused for a good Mountaineers team, regardless of the outcome against Alabama. In conference the Hurricanes start the ACC slate with a tough four game stretch against Virgina, at North Carolina, against NC State and at Pittsburgh. The second half of the ACC schedule is easier but does include a trip to rival Florida State and a home date with Virginia Tech the next week. Miami has the most talented roster in the ACC Coastal and should be able to navigate the conference schedule with just one loss and earn a trip to the ACC Title Game. Miami has the talent and schedule to put together a ten win season in 2021 and will be in position to take on Clemson for a shot at their first ACC championship.