Even though Randy Shannon's first year as the Sheriff of the Canes didn't go as well as the fans, players, or Shannon himself expected, he was all over the country finding playmakers to improve the talent and speed on the roster in his goal to put the Canes back on top.
The team is loaded with depth and talent throughout the roster (for the first time in years) as juniors and seniors are battling daily in the gym and in practice with freshmen and sophomores to keep their starting job.
These battles remind many former players of the enviroment that legend Jimmy Johnson created, which led to a National Championship and numerous first round picks.
If you are unfamiliar with the roster, listen for these players as they will have a major impact on the success or failure of the 2008 squad.
Robert Marve (QB) - The redshirt freshman injured his wrist in an offseason accident before the beginning of last season. While that may have hurt his development, this former Mr. Florida—who broke numerous Tim Tebow high school records—has the desire and talent to become the next difference maker at the QB position.
Javarris James (RB) - The cousin of Edgerrin James is over the numerous injuries that slowed him down in 2007. After a solid offseason in the gym, he should be running with power and speed between the tackles.
Graig Cooper (RB) - The highly-touted recruit compared to Reggie Bush has added muscle to his frame but didn't lose any speed, and his elusive moves should help break some long touchdown runs for the Canes.
Jermaine McKenzie (WR) - Redshirted with Marve as he suffered injuries in the accident, but he destroyed the practice squad defense with great hands and great route running. He will be Marve's favorite target.
Marcus Fortson (DT) - The true freshman will come in and disrupt offenses for three years until he leaves for the NFL.
Sean Spence (LB) - Showed in spring that he has the smarts to play any LB position and is a tackling machine.
Arthur Brown (LB) - Another true freshman with sick talent. He just needs to learn the correct technique, but will gain plenty of playing time as a frosh.
Demarcus VanDyke (CB) - This second-year player will become one of the team's shutdown corners and can help on punt and kickoff returns.
There are about 10 more players that need to be mentioned, including a few other true freshmen that are just the talent needed at the WR position, but that will come in a later article.
Overall I expect six to eight wins for this Canes team. After an easy game against Charleston Southern (North Texas backed out), the Canes go to the Swamp and also have to play FSU and VTech.
If Shannon has another class on the same level as this past class, the Canes will be challenging for a title over the course of the next few seasons.
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4 months ago
Swagger comes from winning, not recruiting. It's not back yet until Miami wins a conference title.
4 months ago
Agreed. Not sure you can have swagger with a 6-8 win season, like the one you've predicted.
4 months ago
We will have all the swagger we need when we win in the Swamp :-)
4 months ago
I am just kidding I know it will be a tough task to win there and I seriously doubt we do, I didnt want t come off as an uneducated fan...just know we do own the State of Florida until we lose to the Gators.
from 4 months ago
I'm thinking Gators by at least 21.
I'm pretty sure this is a night game, too (8 PM?). Should be a great atmosphere...until Tebow, Harvin, and Company spoil all the fun for the Canes.
In all seriousness, do you think Randy Shannon is the guy for Miami?
4 months ago
You may be missing the boat with this comment
"The team is loaded with depth and talent throughout the roster (for the first time in years)"
Check out Miami's players drafted over the last few years, the talent has been there, the QB play and the discipline has not. Coker let them run wild and unlike the coaches before him (Johnson, Erickson and Davis) he couldn't corral their in game discipline.
Shannon has the discipline down and with Patrick Nix, I think, he'll have the quarterbacks playing good ball again. Perhaps not the Gino Torretta, Vinny Testaverde level but at least the Ken Dorsey and Craig Erickson level ie plenty good enough to win a lot of football games.
The talent will be fine down in Miami, since 2002 they've averaged a national recruiting ranking of 8.9 according to Rivals and 8 according to Scout.
I hope they return to prominence they're crucial to the ACC's success in the expansion era.
4 months ago
They have had talent but have lacked depth especially at WR, LB and D-line. Shannon said it himself at the spring that this was the first time he had remember in years they were 2-3 deep at each position. I believe Randy is the guy to get them there as he has a no nonsense attitude and has the kids believing in the team concept instead of the individual goals.
Michael, I agree with you about the QB playing better and if Marve wasnt injured he would have played last year the last few games of the season.
3 months ago
I am a huge fan of the U and i am biased but i am also realistic. We have a lot o work to do and the first step is doing what Coker did not do. RECRUIT! With the talent and depth that we have right now, as long as we can stay out of trouble and get back to playing cocky and dirty football we will be back. We have to get back to the days when teams were scared and hated playing in Miami. Back when they had to throw flags because the crowd was too loud. Yall remember that?! I am not saying we need to get out there and fight and carry on but we have to bring back that Miami swagger that no other school in the nation has. That is not just a swagger that is personified by the football team. But the entire city and organization including fans. Lets get back to when the state of Florida was called the State of Miami
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