Miami Football: Midseason Grades for Players and Coaches

The Miami Hurricanes will officially be halfway through the 2013 campaign after this Thursday's game against North Carolina.

And as a preview to the 10th-ranked Hurricanes' crucial Coastal Division contest, it's an optimal time to hand out some midseason grades.

Miami was expected to be at least 4-1 at this point of the year, but an early-season upset of the Florida Gators has launched the 'Canes to an undefeated record and into the national discussion.

Third-year head coach Al Golden is starting to return the Miami program to relevance, but how close is the team to prominence—or more commonly discussed as being "back?"

Coaches

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Al Golden's "process" is starting to become clearly evident.

The Hurricanes went a combined 13-11 during Golden's first two seasons, and Miami ha a legitimate chance to win 11 or 12 games in 2013.

New offensive coordinator and first-year play-caller James Coley, as expected, hit some bumps in road throughout the first few games.

Against South Florida and Georgia Tech, however, Coley seems to have found a rhythm. His in-game adjustments have been noticeably better, and the result is a Hurricanes offense that is scoring 45.2 points and gaining nearly 500 yards per contest.

Defensive coordinator Mark D'Onofrio moved from the sideline into a box during games, and D'Onofrio's ability to see more of the field has certainly paid dividends this season.

Along with assistants such as Hurlie Brown, Art Kehoe, Jethro Franklin and Michael Barrow, Miami has been a well-coached team through five games.

Grade: A

Quarterbacks

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Stephen Morris started the season slowly and left two games during the first half because of an ankle injury.

The senior quarterback has occasionally struggled against zone defenses and made incorrect reads, but Morris has thrown nine touchdowns to four interceptions. Overall, though, Morris has completed 61.7 percent of his passes and is averaging more than 10 yards per attempt.

Ryan Williams relieved Morris against Florida Atlantic, Savannah State and South Florida, and has played surprisingly well.

Williams has found a Miami receiver on 22-of-31 attempts, throwing for 369 yards and three touchdowns to just one interception.

Gray Crow has added six completions and a touchdown, all of which came against an overmatched Savannah State team, before tossing a pick versus South Florida.

Grade: B+

Running Backs

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Other than a fumbling issue lately, Duke Johnson has been spectacular.

The sophomore running back has racked up 954 all-purpose yards (572 rushing, 77 receiving, 305 returning) and scored four rushing touchdowns. Most importantly for Miami, Johnson will be fresh for ACC play since he is averaging just under 20 touches per game so far.

Dallas Crawford has tallied a team-high eight touchdowns (seven rushing, one receiving) as Duke's clear-cut backup.

Gus Edwards earned a 113-yard, three-score performance against Savannah State, but he has exclusively taken garbage-time snaps.

Senior back Eduardo Clements has not played a huge offensive role for the' Canes, but his leadership on special teams has not gone unnoticed.

Grade: A-

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

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Five receivers have already caught at least two touchdown passes, and true freshman Stacy Coley has been the recipient of a team-high three scores.

Senior Allen Hurns leads the way with 20 receptions and 383 yards, while Junior Phillip Dorsett has grabbed nine passes for 204 yards. Herb Waters scored on a reverse in the season-opener and hauled in a touchdown pass against both Florida and South Florida.

Rashawn Scott has missed four games due to a shoulder injury, but the junior receiver is close to returning.

Clive Walford leads tight ends with 11 catches, 154 yards and two touchdowns.

Asante Cleveland has primarily been utilized as a blocking tight end, and Beau Sandland has played few meaningful snaps.

Grade: B

Offensive Line

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The versatility of the 'Canes offensive line has already been shown during 2013.

Starting center Shane McDermott missed two games and right tackle Seantrel Henderson was suspended for one, so reserve Jared Wheeler has started three games.

Wheeler, Brandon Linder, Jon Feliciano and Malcolm Bunche have each played multiple positions, but Miami has allowed just four sacks this season.

Thanks to a physically massive, talented and deep offensive line, the Hurricanes are averaging more than 250 passing yards and 200 rushing yards per game.

Grade: B+

Defensive Line

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Miami's biggest improvement from the 2012 season to 2013 is definitely the defensive line.

Considering the Hurricanes' D-line tallied only 11 sacks throughout the last year, Miami has flipped the script in a big way.

Senior defensive end Shayon Green has the third-most tackles (21) for the 'Canes, and he has tallied 5.0 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks and a forced fumble.

Olsen Pierre has started every game, made 16 tackles and managed a sack. Seniors Curtis Porter and Luther Robinson have contributed 17 tackles, 2.5 for loss and two fumble recoveries combined.

Anthony Chickillo and Al-Quadin Muhammad have each registered 2.0 sacks, while transfer Justin Renfrow has made an immediate impact, notching 13 tackles and forcing a fumble.

Grade: A-

Linebackers

Denzel Perryman and Jimmy Gaines lead Miami in the tackle category with 34 and 29, respectively. Perryman has also broken up three passes, hit the quarterback twice and forced a fumble.

Tyriq McCord has been an absolute menace, delivering two massive hits on opposing quarterbacks and forcing a fumble on both plays. Additionally, McCord has picked off two passes, broken up a pass and recovered a fumble.

Thurston Armbrister has been a hidden gem for the Hurricanes, starting two games, making 10 tackles (4.0 for loss), 2.0 sacks and recovering a fumble.

Outside linebackers Tyrone Cornelius and Alex Figueroa have combined for three starts, 26 tackles, and Cornelius has broken up two passes and forced a fumble.

Grade: A-

Defensive Backs

Miami has yet to play a team with a true passing attack, but the 'Canes secondary refused to let a weak aerial threat become a good one.

Top cornerback Tracy Howard has locked down receivers, allowing little space and almost no passing lanes. Fellow corner Ladarius Gunter has made 15 tackles, snatched two passes (video shows Gunter's pick-six) and broken up three passes.

Sophomore safety Rayshawn Jenkins has been fantastic in Deon Bush's absence, starting all five of the Hurricanes' games and coming up with two clutch interceptions.

Kacy Rodgers II, A.J. Highsmith, Antonio Crawford and Artie Burns have each seen plenty of playing time and allow Miami to interchange seven defensive backs depending on the situation.

Grade: A

Special Teams

Sophomore kicker Matt Goudis has connected on 3-of-4 field goals, making a long of 45 yards.

Senior transfer Pat O'Donnell has averaged 47.2 yards per punt—which would rank second-best in the nation if he qualified. Since the Hurricanes offense has been so effective, O'Donnell is not meeting the punts-per-game requirement, and that's a decent problem to have.

Stacy Coley returned a kickoff for a touchdown, and Duke Johnson was tackled inside the five on another, and the sophomore running back has gained 30.5 yards per kick return.

Phillip Dorsett, on the other hand, muffed a punt against Georgia Tech; the Yellow Jackets recovered and proceeded to score a touchdown.

The Hurricanes' kickoff coverage unit has been outstanding as opponents are averaging just 18.1 yards per return, but the punt team has allowed 14.7 yards per return—10th worst in the nation.

Grade: A-