Miami Football: Ranking This Years Top Hurricane Offensive Playmakers

Steve Mitchell-US PRESSWIRE

What do you think of when you hear the word "playmaker"?  Is it someone that scores a lot of touchdowns?  Someone that gets huge yards every time they touch the ball?

To me, a playmaker is someone you can rely on to get whatever you need at any given time.  Someone that can get that first down whenever the team needs it and has the ability to score no matter the circumstances.

When you think of playmakers that came from Miami you will hear names like Tommy Streeter, Andre Johnson, Santana Moss, Devin Hester, etc. 

Here is my top five Hurricane playmakers on the 2012 offensive side of the ball.

No. 5: Duke Johnson

Let me save you the suspense, true freshman Duke Johnson will get the ball this year.

Duke is an unbelievable talent with great quickness and speed.  He is sly and swift which makes it hard for the defense to get a direct hit on him.

His greatest asset isn't speed, though, it's field vision, something that all true playmakers possess.  Duke is able to see things develop in front of him, which allows him to break huge runs.

I honestly believe that Miami will use Duke not only at running back, but on the kick return team as well.

No. 4: Dallas Crawford

In high school, Dallas Crawford played both sides of the ball.  On offense he threw for 2,374 yards and ran for another 462.  On the defensive side of the ball Crawford was a defensive back that had nine interceptions.

He was actually recruited by Miami to be a defensive back, but after coach Al Golden saw him on the field he decided to move him to the offensive side of the ball.

He is now listed at running back, but it's truly hard to say where he will end up. I am guessing Miami will utilize him in some sort of a slot receiver, especially with the amount of running backs already on the roster.

Either way, Crawford is such a quick and explosive player that no matter where he is on the offense, they need to get the ball in his hands.

No. 3: Allen Hurns

I know many of you probably don't see Allen Hurns as a playmaker.  His isn't the fastest player on the field, nor does he posses game-breaking quickness.

The fact of the matter is, Hurns is a playmaker and will be Miami's No. 1 receiver this season.  Hurns has great hands and is the second tallest receiver on the team, standing 6'3".

Hurns is able to go up on the shorter corners and pick balls out of the air.  He was third on the team in yards (415) and receptions (31), and second on the team with four touchdown receptions. 

Not a bad first full season at wide receiver, huh?

No. 2: Rashawn Scott

We never got to see a lot of Rashawn Scott last year as he missed the last six games of the season due to an injury.  He finished the season with just one catch for two yards.

So, how in the world can I have him at No. 2 on my list?  I saw him this spring.

This kid can flat out move.  He is extremely quick with great overall speed.  He and Phillip Dorsett made plays this spring that I haven't seen come out of Miami since Devin Hester.

Scott, much like Dallas Crawford, will see his fair share of the field. 

No. 1: Phillip Dorsett

My No. 1 playmaker for the upcoming season is Phillip Dorsett.  He proved to me last season that he can not only catch the ball, but great things will happen once he has it in his hands.

Dorsett is one of the fastest players on the field and when he breaks out in the open he can take it to the house at anytime.

Basically, I see Miami using Dorsett much like they used Travis Benjamin the last four years. He is currently listed as a starting wide receiver as well as the punt and kick returner.

He may not be as fast as Benjamin was, but I believe Dorsett is a better playmaker and probably the best one Miami has seen since Devin Hester.