Fansided

5 reasons Brad Kaaya can win the 2016 Heisman

By Andrew C. Lovell

Nov 7, 2015; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes quarterback Brad Kaaya (15) takes a snap from the line of scrimmage during the second half against the Virginia Cavaliers at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2015; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes quarterback Brad Kaaya (15) takes a snap from the line of scrimmage during the second half against the Virginia Cavaliers at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 6
Next
Dec 26, 2015; El Paso, TX, USA; Miami Hurricanes wide receiver Stacy Coley (3) reacts against the Washington State Cougars during the second half at Sun Bowl Stadium. The Cougars won 20-14. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 26, 2015; El Paso, TX, USA; Miami Hurricanes wide receiver Stacy Coley (3) reacts against the Washington State Cougars during the second half at Sun Bowl Stadium. The Cougars won 20-14. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 3: Playmakers on offense

The once-proud Miami program has certainly fallen on hard times. The Hurricanes have yet to win an ACC title since joining the conference in 2004. Perhaps most shockingly, Miami hasn’t won a bowl game since the 2006 MPC Computers Bowl.

For a program that oozed swagger and success under former head coaches Jimmy Johnson and Dennis Erickson in the 1980s and ’90s, there has been little to celebrate over the last 10-plus seasons.

Miami hasn’t been “The U” in quite some time, but Richt’s goal is to get the team back to that level of success. As usually is the case in college football, that starts with recruiting, and Miami’s 2016 class is ranked No. 21 overall by 247Sports. The class is heavy on defensive players, but also includes three of the top 35 wide receivers (Sam Bruce, 11th; Ahmmon Richards, 28th; Dionte Mullins, 34th).

Two of Miami’s top three leading receivers from last season, Rashawn Scott and Herb Waters, have moved on to the NFL, but Stacy Coley (689 yards, four TDs) returns for his senior season. Sophomore David Njoku and junior Christopher Herndon form a solid duo at tight end. Miami’s top three rushers, Joseph Yearby, Mark Walton and Trayone Gray, all return as well.

There is young talent to develop, with more on the way through recruiting.

Next: No. 2: Talent

Home/College Football