Miami Hurricanes Football: Post-Spring Game Two-Deep Depth Chart

The Hurricanes held their annual spring game Saturday at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens.  The game featured the orange team starring the offensive starters, against the green team with the defensive starters.

The game turned out to be a defensive matchup ending in a 7-6 victory for the orange team.  The only touchdown was scored by Mike James in the waning minutes of the fourth quarter.

The orange team finished with 237 total yards while the green team had 204 yards.

After the game I complied my personal depth chart on who should be the starters heading into the fall.

Quarterback

Starter: Ryan Williams

Backup: Gray Crow

Notes: None of the Hurricane quarterbacks played exceptionally well in the spring game, but overall Ryan Williams should be the starter heading into fall practice.

Williams completed 15 out of 27 passes for 169 yards but threw two interceptions in the spring game.

Overall, I expect Stephen Morris to actually be the starter when the season starts in September.  Morris is still recovery from back surgery but will be back this fall.

Running Back

Starter: Mike James

Backup: Eduardo Clements

Notes: Mike James and Eduardo Clements were neck and neck throughout the spring, but I believe James did enough to pull ahead at the end of the spring session.

James ran for 57 yards on 15 carries and scored the spring game's only touchdown of the day.

Duke Johnson will be at Miami this fall and should make it an interesting three-man race for the starting position.

Fullback

Starter: Maurice Hagens

Backup: Sean Harvey

Notes: Sean Harvey threw the block that allowed Mike James to rush for the spring game's only touchdown.  Going into the game, Harvey, a converted tight end, was listed as the starter at fullback and James was the backup.

I am not sure what happened to Maurice Hagens, who played in all 12 games last year and was the primary fullback that earned four starts, but that is who I assumed would be this year's starter.

I have seen Harvey play this spring a few times, and I still believe Hagens is the more complete player at fullback.

Wide Receivers

Starters: Rashawn Scott, Phillip Dorsett

Backup: Allen Hurns, Kendal Thompkins

Notes: Rashawn Scott led both teams with 74 yards on four catches but also had a fumble and let a ball pass through him into the arms of Ray Ray Armstrong. However, he still did enough to cement a starting position heading into the fall.

Phillip Dorsett also had four catches for 60 yards, including a 44-yard reception that set up the game-winning touchdown.

Kendal Thompkins led all receivers with six catches (45 yards), while Garrett Kidd caught three passes for 32 yards.

The returning leading receiver Allen Hurns did not catch one ball.

Tight End

Starter: Asante Cleveland

Backup: Clive Walford

Notes: No tight end caught a pass according to the stat book, which causes great concern for a pro-style offense.  Asante Cleveland has been the bright spot for the Hurricanes this spring and cemented his position as the starter in my opinion.

Left Tackle

Starter: Malcolm Bunche

Backup: Erick Flowers

Notes: Malcolm Bunche had a solid game, but this fall there should be a good competition against true freshman Erick Flower, who started for the green team.

Left Guard

Starter: Jermaine Johnson

Backup: Jeremy Lewis

Notes: Jermain Johnson was the starter for the orange team and played very well.  Jeremy Lewis also got the start but for the green team.

Center

Starter: Shane McDermott

Backup: Jared Wheeler

Notes: Shane McDermott started for the orange team while Jared Wheeler was the green team's starting center.  McDermott just seems more technically sound than Wheeler at this point of the season.

Right Guard

Starter: Brandon Linder

Backup: Ben Jones

Notes: Brandon Linder started for the orange team while Ben Jones started for the green team.  Both players seemed to struggle at times, but both are solid right guards.

Right Tackle

Starter: Seantrel Henderson

Backup: Taylor Gadbois

Notes: Seantrel Henderson started on the orange team while Taylor Gadbois started for the green team.  Henderson looked a little sluggish at times but proved he could be a force to be reckoned with if he is able to stay healthy for the entire season.

Defensive End

Starter: Anthony Chickillo

Backup: Ricardo Williams

Notes: Anthony Chickillo proved to be one of the Hurricanes best defensive lineman, recording six tackles, including a sack.

Defensive Tackle

Starter: Darius Smith

Backup: Luther Robinson

Notes: Darius Smith and Luther Robinson both need work, and this fall will be an all-out battle for the starting tackle position.

Defensive Tackle

Starter: Curtis Porter

Backup: Olsen Pierre

Notes: Curtis Porter played a solid game and seems to be healthy after a couple of years of being injured. He should be the starting defensive tackle this year, and if he stays healthy, he will be the best defensive tackle on the team.

Olsen Pierre seems to be a solid backup to Porter as he recorded a sack for the orange team.

Defensive End

Starter: Kelvin Cain

Backup: Dwayne Hoilett

Notes: Kelvin Cain played two years at linebacker but recently moved to defensive end and may have found his calling. 

Cain is a speed guy that needs to work on his hands if he wants to keep his position as Dwayne Hoilett is fighting hard for the defensive end spot.

Outside Linebacker

Starter: Jimmy Gaines

Backup: Eddie Johnson

Notes: Jimmy Gaines and Eddie Johnson were pretty quiet all game long and will need to both improve shedding their blockers. 

Middle Linebacker

Starter: Denzel Perryman

Backup: Raphael Kirby

Notes: The middle linebacker position is the Hurricanes' best depth on the defensive side on the ball as both Denzel Perryman and Raphael Kirby played terrific all spring long.

Kirby, who started for the orange team, finished with six tackles and a pass-breakup, while Perryman had five tackles for the green team. Each player also had a tackle for loss.

I personally think both players should be starting with either one playing outside linebacker.

Outside Linebacker

Starter: Gionni Paul

Backup: Tyrone Cornelius

Notes: Gionni Paul hurt his knee earlier in the spring, but it didn't seem to bother him as he totaled six tackles.  I personally would love the Hurricanes' starting linebackers to be Paul, Denzel Perryman and Rapheal Kirby.

Tyrone Cronelius also played very well, recording five tackles and a sack.

Cornerback

Starter: Brandon McGee

Backup: Thomas Finnie

Notes: Branon McGee was the starting defensive back for the orange team and finished with three tackles and an interception.  Thomas Finnie also played very well for the green team, finishing with one tackle, an interception and three pass breakups.

I really don't know who should be the starter as both players had a pretty solid spring.

Cornerback

Starter: Ladarius Gunter

Backup: Larry Hope

Notes: Ladarius Gunter stole the show on Saturday leading both teams in tackles (seven), a pass breakup and a forced fumble.

Gunter looks to have secured the starting cornerback position over Larry Hope.

Strong Safety

Starter: Vaughn Telemaque

Backup: Alonzo Highsmith

Notes: Alonzo Highsmith came in listed as the starter on Al Golden's depth chart, but Vaughn Telemaque deserves the starting nod.  Telemaque finished with two tackles and an interception for the green team.

Free Safety

Starter: Ray Ray Armstrong

Backup: Kacy Rodgers

Notes: It was very frustrating to watch Ray Ray Armstrong again this Saturday.  He showed he has the skills to be the starting safety but still misses too many tackles.  Armstrong got burned on Phillip Dorsett's 44-yard reception but did have an interception in the game.

Overall, he still deserves the starting nod but definitely needs more work this fall.

Kick Returner

Starter: Phillip Dorsett

Backup: Dallas Crawford

Notes: They don't have the returns during the spring game, but Phillip Dorsett seems to be the logical answer with great speed and field vision. 

Dallas Crawford will be a terrific backup as he has also had a solid spring.

Punt Returner

Starter: Phillip Dorsett

Backup: Dallas Crawford

Notes: See previous slide.

Kicker

Starter: Jake Wieclaw

Backup: Matt Goudis

Notes: Jake Wieclaw connected on two of three field goals on the spring game, missing a 46-yarder just before halftime.

Matt Goudis missed his only field goal attempt but did kick the game-winning extra point for the orange team.

Punter

Starter: Dalton Botts

Backup: Jake Wieclaw

Notes: Just like the kick/punt return, there were no punts in the game.  Dalton Botts had a terrific season last year and will be the Hurricanes' punter this year.