Miami Football: 5 Key Reserves to Watch Against Florida A&M

When the Miami Hurricanes return to conference play later this month, top reserves will be asked to fill in seamlessly for starters.

Some backups are important than others, and those are key players to watch against Florida A&M on Saturday, Sept. 7 at 7 p.m. ET.

Despite a mediocre opening to the 2014 campaign, the Canes are clear favorites heading into the meeting. After all, the Rattlers are a subpar FCS team and cannot be expected to hang around for long.

Barring a completely unexpected result, Miami reserves will see significant playing time Saturday night, which is crucial for the Hurricanes moving forward.

Joseph Yearby, Running Back

Credit: 247Sports

Remember the movie Free Willy? All Jesse wanted was for his whale friend to have an open space to explore. Joseph Yearby's first career touch was nullified by a holding penalty before managing one reception for four yards.

Well, consider Yearby the friend Miami wants freed from captivity. The Hurricanes are ready to, shall we say, watch him jump the retaining wall.

The offensive line was a major problem at Louisville, but squaring off with Florida A&M should return its confidence. As Miami pulls away from the Rattlers, Yearby and Gus Edwards are set to receive the majority of remaining carries.

And if all goes as the Canes prefer, the freshman will find a few running lanes and showcase what made him so dangerous in high school—a one-cut slasher unafraid to run between the tackles.

Kc McDermott, Offensive Tackle

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True freshman Kc McDermott worked as the first-string offensive tackle throughout some of fall practice and even donned a coveted orange jersey for numerous workouts. However, all those accolades did not translate into a single snap during the season opener at Louisville.

McDermott's lack of playing time is almost certain to change, though, especially after Taylor Gadbois was constantly overpowered by the Cardinals.

Miami cannot afford to have porous offensive line play, and McDermott may help change what transpired Monday night.

But the Hurricanes won't know until they try: The freshman needs game experience, and there's no better time than Saturday.

Courtel Jenkins, Defensive Tackle

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Courtel Jenkins made an immediate impact, splitting a double-team to record a tackle on his first career play, which was Louisville's second drive of the game.

The freshman was given more responsibilities when Calvin Heurtelou was temporarily sidelined and earned a respectable four total stops in his debut.

Olsen Pierre and Heurtelou remain above him on the depth chart, but Jenkins will receive plenty of snaps as part of the rotation.

Saturday's meeting with Florida A&M is a chance for the New Jersey product to solidify his spot as a top-three tackle for Miami and contribute as a long-awaited answer on the line.

Ufomba Kamalu, Defensive Line

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Helped by a fantastic disruption by Anthony Chickillo, Ufomba Kamalu registered his first sack of season. He tallied four tackles Monday night, contributing at multiple positions along the defensive line.

Kamalu is one of the unit's more versatile pieces, which will come in handy against Duke, Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech, to name a few.

Per David Lake of 247Sports (subscription required), the junior garnered the attention of defensive coordinator Mark D'Onofrio, who said "Kamalu played the best he has played this year, including the scrimmages."

If Kamalu performed this best he had all year, a matchup with Florida A&M should result in his most efficient outing.

Jamal Carter, Safety

Credit: 247Sports

Jamal Carter was challenging for a starting position, and Rayshawn Jenkins' season-ending injury furthered the belief the sophomore would steal a No. 1 spot.

However, Dallas Crawford and Deon Bush held on to their respective roles following the first game, leaving Carter as their clear backup.

According to Christopher Stock of 247Sports (subscription required), D'Onofrio "thought Dallas and Deon separated themselves and played more snaps than anybody and I thought they did a good job for the amount of snaps that they played."

But the Hurricanes are always one injury away from Carter being a full-time starter in the secondary, and he must be prepared to step in.

All quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.

Follow Bleacher Report college football writer David Kenyon on Twitter: @Kenyon19_BR.