Miami Football Recruiting: 5 Things Missing from the Hurricanes 2012 Class

Although the Miami Hurricanes have 31 verbally committed players going into the 2012 season, it doesn't mean they have fulfilled each position.

Miami was 6-6 last year, which means there are obvious holes all over.

Don't get me wrong, the Hurricanes have plenty of talented players from last year's team and very good recruits this year.

Here are some missing players and positions that still need more attention.

Five-Star Recruiits

I know that the little stars by each name on recruiting websites doesn't really mean anything. 

Over the last few years there are plenty of 5-star recruits that didn't amount to anything at all. Even last year's No. 1 recruited player, Jeff Driskel, had a less-than-stellar freshman season.

I have heard many people say that although Miami has 31 recruits, its class isn't very good because they only have one 5-star recruit, Duke Johnson.

Now, don't get me wrong. Five-star recruits tend to be better than average players over the last few years.  These scouting companies can definitely spot great talent around the country.

If you go back three years ago, making those players juniors this year, you will see Alabama and LSU at the top of recruiting classes in the country having a combined eight 5-star recruits.

We know what those two teams did this year.

Defensive Linemen

The Hurricanes defensive line last year was atrocious at times as Miami ended the season ranked 68th in rush defense.

Next year will be even more of a question mark as Olivier Vernon and Marcus Forston decided to forgo their senior season for the NFL.

In my eyes, the main focus for Al Golden and his staff should have been getting a handful of good defensive recruits.

Miami truly only got two, Tyriq McCord and Jelani Hamilton, both of them defensive ends.

I question McCord because even though he is a 4-star recruit, he is very small for an end at the college level standing only 6-3, 225 lbs.

Overall, Miami recruited two defensive tackles and another two defensive ends, none of them that stand out.

I really wished Miami would have gotten a couple more defensive tackles and another defensive end for depth.

Keith Brown and Other Linebackers

Welcome to the one that got away.

Each year there are plenty of local talented stars that decide to take their talents away from home for whatever reason.

This year for Miami it was the seventh-ranked linebacker in the nation, Keith Brown.

Brown is a terrific linebacker with good size (6'2", 230 lbs) and speed. He was a tackling machine last year for Miami Norland ending the season with 142 of them.

Brown verbally committed to Miami last July, but changed his mind and chose Illinois in November.

Then during the Army All-American game, Brown switched again and went to Louisville.

The Hurricanes could have definitely used his skill, as Miami will be without Sean Spence for the first time in four years.

There are many question marks at the linebacker position even with the return of James Gaines Jr. and Denzel Perryman.

Miami lacks depth at the position, and even though they recruited four outside linebackers, only of them stands out, Raphael Kirby.

Running Backs

Although the Hurricanes scored big with Duke Johnson, more attention was needed to get a couple more running backs to Coral Gables.

After the departure of Lamar Miller, there is suddenly a gaping hole in the running back position.

Eduardo Clements and Mike James are the only two running backs coming back for next season, neither of them game-changing backs.

Johnson should come in and immediately contribute, but Miami till is lacking real depth at the position.

The only other running back recruited is 3-star recruit Danny Dillard.

Dillard has great speed (4.4/40) and is very strong, but is a straight-forward runner, much like James.

The Hurricanes could have definitely used one, if not two, more running back recruits.

Big Name Cornerback

Another position that will have tons of question marks this upcoming season is at cornerback. Miami has one returning starter at the position, and that is Brandon McGee.

Although McGee is a senior, to me he has yet to become a very stable cornerback. He has his moments, but he isn't a threat to stop opposing team's go-to receiver.

The Hurricanes have four cornerback recruits coming in next season, but none of them are particularly well known.

Miami really could have used the services of a Brian Poole (UF recruit) or similar defensive back that could come in and make a difference as a true freshman.

There are other current cornerbacks who have yet to choose their school and have Miami on the list, including No. 1-ranked cornerback Ronald Darby.