Miami Hurricanes Football: Lamar Miller and 5 Players Ready to Break out

By (Correspondent) on June 25, 2011

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MIAMI - NOVEMBER 20:  Lamar Miller #6 of the Miami Hurricanes runs for a touchdown during a game against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Sun Life Stadium on November 20, 2010 in Miami, Florida.  (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

The Miami Hurricanes will look to rebound from a disappointing season by moving forward with the Al Golden era.

Golden is expected to make the Hurricanes a more disciplined and mistake-conscious team.

One of his priorities will be to cut down on turnovers on offense, and force them on defense.

Golden's Temple teams focused on controlling the football, and the same can be expected as he takes over the reins in Coral Gables. 

The emphasis on controlling the football will mean a renewed focus on the running game, and taking the football away will mean play makers at the safety and pass rusher positions will have to step their game up.

The following players are the ones who will help Golden achieve his primary objectives this year.

1. Marcus Forston

DURHAM, NC - OCTOBER 18:  Marcus Forston #99 of the Miami Hurricanes jogs off the field during the game against the Duke Blue Devils at Wallace Wade Stadium on October 18, 2008 in Durham, North Carolina.  (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Marcus Forston was the top rated defensive tackle in the country in his senior year of high school.

The 6'3'', 300-pound lineman was even called "maybe the best nose tackle prospect in the last five years" by the Rivals.com scouting service. 

However, he has yet to live up to that hype as a Hurricane. 

After earning freshman All-American honors in his first season in Coral Gables, Forston struggled last year.

Al Golden is known for getting the most out of his players on defense, and this could be the year that he turns Forston into a force to be reckoned with.

2. Tommy Streeter

Photo Courtesy of flickr.com
Photo Courtesy of flickr.com

Tommy Streeter is coming back for his junior season armed with a new number, as well as a new spot in the starting lineup. 

The 6'5'', 210-pounder from Jacory Harris' alma mater, Miami Northwestern, had just six catches in his two years in Coral Gables, but he is loaded with talent. 

Streeter was blocked in the lineup by the Canes' best receiver, Leonard Hankerson—who was taken in the third round of the NFL draft by the Washington Redskins—for the last two years. He will now be expected to fill that void left by his predecessor. 

If he can develop the requisite chemistry with Jacory, he could be in for a big season. 

3. Olivier Vernon

PITTSBURGH - SEPTEMBER 23:  Dion Lewis #28 of the Pittsburgh Panthers is tackled by Olivier Vernon #35 of the Miami Hurricanes on September 23, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
Jared Wickerham/Getty Images

Olivier Vernon was a relative unknown coming into last season, but he wound up being one of the best players on a Miami defense that led the nation in tackles for loss. 

Vernon had 10.5 tackles for loss and six sacks last season, and he could improve on both of those numbers if he is quick to learn coach Golden's defense. 

He will most likely come into the season as an unquestioned starter at defensive end, and the confidence that comes with that will pay dividends on the field. 

4. Ray-Ray Armstrong

EL PASO, TX - DECEMBER 30:  Running back Cierre Wood #20 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish is tackled by Ray-Ray Armstrong #26 and Micanor Regis #54 of the Miami Hurricanes at Sun Bowl on December 30, 2010 in El Paso, Texas.  (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Gett
Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

Ray-Ray Armstrong is considered one of the best safeties in the country and looks to be on the fast track to becoming a high pick in the NFL Draft.

Armstrong, starting for the first time in 2010-11, had three interceptions and a touchdown, and it is those playmaking skills that have NFL scouts so excited.

In his junior year, Armstrong should be even better and take on a leadership role on the defensive side of the football.

The Hurricanes defense will continue to be their strength, and Armstrong is probably the most complete player in that unit. 

1. Lamar Miller

MIAMI - NOVEMBER 20:  Lamar Miller #6 of the Miami Hurricanes runs for a touchdown during a game against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Sun Life Stadium on November 20, 2010 in Miami, Florida.  (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

For much of his freshman season, Lamar Miller was third on the Miami depth chart at running back.

That will change this season, as Miller is expected to play a starting role for the 'Canes. 

After averaging six yards per carry on 108 carries last year, he certainly has earned the right to be the lead back.

He'll likely be in some sort of a timeshare with Mike James, but Miller is the true playmaker out of the backfield. 

Miller is also a threat in the return game, as he proved against Ohio State last season when he took a kickoff back for a touchdown. 

With his role expanded, Miller could be one of the breakout stars in the NCAA this season. 

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