Miami Football: 5 Players with the Most to Gain in Spring Practices

The Miami Hurricanes must replace half of their starters from the 2014 season, and spring practice is a perfect opportunity for returning players to stake a claim at the vacated positions.

Al Golden's crew is entering its second week of spring practice, and top performers will slowly—and consistently—begin to separate themselves. The following players have some of the most favorable outlooks on the roster, but they must take advantage of their chances this spring.

One athlete listed transferred to "The U" during the offseason, while a pair of 'Canes were sidelined last year, and two more logged little meaningful action.

The expected depth chart and current injuries were the predominant factors in compiling the list.

Vincent Testaverde

USA TODAY Sports

Vincent Testaverde isn't entering a particularly glamorous spot at Miami. The son of Hurricanes legend and 1986 Heisman Trophy winner Vinny Testaverde, he's not passing incumbent starter Brad Kaaya on the depth chart—barring injury.

But that's just it. Miami is remarkably thin at quarterback, and potential second-stringer Malik Rosier is splitting time with the school's baseball club. If something happens to Kaaya, the Texas Tech transfer will be pressed into action.

Since he's a walk-on, the 6'1" 190-pound gunslinger is immediately eligible. Consequently, Testaverde has a chance to prove he's the best option behind Kaaya in an emergency scenario.

Testaverde appeared in one game for the Red Raiders last season, completing 15 of 26 passes for 116 yards against Texas.

Rashawn Scott

Joel Auerbach/Getty Images

Now that Phillip Dorsett has moved on to the NFL, Stacy Coley headlines the receiving corps. However, after a dismal 2014 campaign from the freshman All-American, Miami needs help on the outside.

Fortunately for the 'Canes, their No. 2 target from 2012 is finally healthy. Rashawn Scott missed most of the 2013 season due to a shoulder injury—which was sustained moments after the above picture was snapped—and all of 2014 because of an "exotic" issue, per Manny Navarro of The Miami Herald.

Scott earned a starting role on the initial depth chart release, according to Matt Porter of the Palm Beach Post. While that distinction means very little in February, he is fully capable of retaining the No. 1 spot.

Considering he hasn't really played since August 2013, Scott has plenty to prove as a senior, and he is off to a solid start.

Al-Quadin Muhammad

Credit: 247Sports

Al-Quadin Muhammad

Miami had high hopes for Al-Quadin Muhammad last season, but an off-campus altercation resulted in a semester-long suspension for the defensive end. He's since been reinstated to the university.

"I got everything I needed to get done and it's actually been helping me," Muhammad said, per Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press. "Now I'm able to go out there and perform the way I'm supposed to perform. ... Most importantly, I'm excited to be back with my friends and the guys on the team to help get this thing where it needs to be."

Though Muhammad entered spring practice as the second-string defensive end, the 6'3", 260-pounder's previously held expectations have merely shifted to 2015.

The Hurricanes remain in rough shape defensively, and they'll be relying on Muhammad to help change a glaring weakness in the trenches once he hops Trent Harris on the depth chart.

Juwon Young

Credit: 247Sports

Juwon Young

The defense's lack of depth at linebacker was well documented during the height of recruiting season, and Juwon Young is a primary beneficiary of the thin unit.

A highly touted recruit in 2014, the 6'2", 245-pound inside linebacker appeared in every game last season, but mostly on special teams. He logged a total of four tackles.

This year, however, Miami must fill the void left by third-team All-American Denzel Perryman. Raphael Kirby is primed to take the starting position, but Young is the favorite to occupy the No. 2 ILB spot in 3-4 defensive sets.

Although he needs to hold off redshirt freshman Terry McCray, Young can firmly establish himself as a key defensive contributor with a strong spring.

Ryan Mayes

Credit: 247Sports

Ryan Mayes

Ryan Mayes opened spring practice as a third-string corner—which technically meant No. 5—but an injury and a developing situation may have thrust the redshirt freshman into immediate relevance.

According to David Lake of 247Sports, Corn Elder has been sidelined while he recovers from injury. More interestingly, though, returning nickelback Antonio Crawford might be leaving the team.

Lakes noted, "Crawford was not at practice on Sunday and reportedly has said he is done playing football at Miami." And so, the Hurricanes' No. 5 cornerback might be the No. 3.

Mayes has ideal size at 6'1" and 203 pounds, so Miami is certainly eager to utilize the local product. Circumstance, however, means Mayes has a significant spot in the rotation to gain.

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