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Miami football season preview 2020: Record predictions, depth chart analysis, breakout players

By John Buhler

Manny Diaz, Miami Hurricanes. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
Manny Diaz, Miami Hurricanes. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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Quincy Roche, Temple Owls
Quincy Roche, Temple Owls. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

Who is expected to start on both sides of the ball for Miami football?

There is a lot to be excited about this Miami football roster. Obviously, the graduate transfers of quarterback D’Eriq King from the Houston Cougars and defensive end Quincy Roche from the Temple Owls are now the two best players on this Hurricanes football team. They will have enough support behind them to contend for an ACC title if they get a few breaks along the way.

Defensively, Miami should be balanced with a good amount of upperclassmen and on-the-rise sophomore talent. Offensively, the second year of Dan Enos coordinating on that side of the ball should be to the ‘Canes’ advantage. Here is the offensive and defensive depth chart for Miami. Depth charts are from Ourlads.com.

Offense

  • Quarterback: D’Eriq King (GR), N’Kosi Perry (RS JR)
  • Running Back: Cam’Ron Harris (JR), Robert Burns (RS JR)
  • Wide Receiver-X: Dee Wiggins (JR), Jeremiah Payton (RS FR)
  • Wide Receiver-Z: Mark Pope (JR), Michael Redding III (FR)
  • Wide Receiver-F: Mike Harley (SR), Dazalin Worsham (FR)
  • Tight End: Brevin Jordan (JR), Will Mallory (JR)
  • Left Tackle: John Campbell Jr. (RS SO), Zalon’tae Hillery (RS JR)
  • Left Guard: Navaughn Donaldson (SR), Jalen Rivers (FR)
  • Center: Corey Gaynor (RS JR), Jakai Clark (SO)
  • Right Guard: DJ Scaife Jr. (JR), Cleveland Reed Jr. (RS SO)
  • Right Tackle: Zion Nelson (SO), Kai-Leon Herbert (RS JR)

Besides King, this offense’s strength is in the receiving corps. Upperclassmen in Mike Harley, Mark Pope and Dee Wiggins headline the Wie receiver positions, while tight ends Brevin Jordan and Will Mallory should give the ‘Canes even more versatility in the passing game. Look for King to succeed right away with his newfound Miami receiving corps.

If you are going to exploit this Miami offense, it will be out on the end. Neither projected starting tackle is an upperclassman. Though King and his backup N’Kosi Perry are mobile, it’s never a great thing when you have concerns along the offensive line, especially at either bookend position. While the offensive interior looks solid, there are concerns about the tackle spots for sure.

Defense

  • Defensive End: Jaelan Phillips (RS JR/TR)
  • Defensive Tackle: Jonathan Ford (SR), Jalar Holley (RS FR)
  • Defensive Tackle: Nesta Jade Silvera (JR), Jordan Miller (RS SO)
  • Defensive End: Quincy Roche (GR), Jahfari Harvey (RS FR)
  • STRIK: Gilbert Frierson (RS SO), Keontra Smith (SO)
  • Middle Linebacker: Zach McCloud (RS SR), Patrick Joyner Jr. (RS SO)
  • Weakside Linebacker: Sam Brooks Jr. (SO), Waynmon Steed (RS JR)
  • Cornerback: DJ Ivey (JR), Te’Cory Couch (SO)
  • Safety: Bubba Bolden (RS JR/TR), Amari Carter (SR)
  • Safety: Gurvan Hall Jr. (JR)
  • Cornerback: Al Blades Jr. (JR), Christian Williams (SO)

We can go in a lot of different directions with the strengths of this defense. It could be special along the defensive line, although it was going to be legendary had Gregory Rousseau not opted to go pro. The secondary is full of upperclassmen as well. Because Roche is the best defensive player on this team, his position group gets the slight edge over what should be a good defensive backfield.

There is a good bit of inexperience at the linebacker position. While Zach McCloud is the leader of the group at middle linebacker, Gilbert Frierson and Sam Brooks Jr. are only sophomores. Though Waynmon Steed is a redshirt junior, a lack of upperclassmen in the middle of this defense could be problematic for Diaz when his team goes up against a high-octane offense.

Impact Freshmen

Running back Jaylan Knighton is the guy everybody is talking about having an impact season for the Hurricanes on the offensive side of the ball. Though Cam’Ron Harris and Robert Burns will have their carries, Knighton is too talented of a player to be denied some playing time as a true freshman in Enos’ system.

With Rousseau heading for the NFL, there may be even more opportunities for a freshman like Chantz Williams to shine for the Hurricanes. Assuming the pass rush and defensive line prowess remains this team’s strength, a promising prospect like Williams could get some work in a rotational role early for this Miami defense.