Miami Hurricanes Football 2011: 7 Best Defensive Players

Any time you bring up the Hurricanes defense you think of past players such as Sean Taylor, Ed Reed, Ray Lewis and Warren Sapp.

These days, the players aren't as popular, but I see some of the same play in the above mentioned players.

Last year the Hurricanes struggled at times defensively primarily because the offense wasn't on the field enough and the Hurricanes got tired.

This year if Miami can get the run game going, this Hurricanes defense has the potential to be one of the best in the country.

Here are the top seven defensive players for Miami.

Ramon Buchanan, LB

Year: Senior

Height: 6'1"

Weight: 222 lbs

Accolades:  None.

Notes: Buchanan was fifth on the team in tackles (54) and had eight tackles for a loss. He improved every year since he has been with the team and this year will not be any different. 

I truly believe Buchanan will be a late NFL draft pick next year.

Adewale Ojomo, DL

Year: Junior

Height: 6'4"

Weight: 270 lbs

Accolades:  None

After a very successful redshirt freshman year, Ojomo missed the entire 2009 season due to jaw surgery.

He came back last year and started four games and had 38 tackles, five sacks, and 7.5 tackles for losses.  He is a speed rusher with a great motor, I expect a big season this year from Ojomo.

Olivier Vernon, DL

Year: Junior

Height: 6'4"

Weight: 265 lbs

Accolades:  None.

In just his sophomore year, Vernon proved he was on his way to stardom finishing the season with six sacks and 11.5 tackles for losses while starting 11 of 13 games. 

He is just a junior and is expected to have a break out season.  Big time hitter with outstanding quickness for a defensive end. Expect to see him in the NFL very soon.

Marcus Forston, DL

Year: Junior

Height: 6'3"

Weight: 300 lbs

Accolades:  Numerous Freshman All-American teams (2008)

Notes: When you think of the Miami all time greats on defense you think of Russell Maryland, Warren Sapp, Ray Lewis,and so on.  You can add Forston to the list very soon. 

Forston has a non-stop motor and unbelievable quickness for a guy that is 300 pounds.  He was second on the team with 12 tackles for a loss and is just a junior. 

He has been listed on many preseason All-ACC teams and is listed on ESPN.com's 2012 Mock Draft as a first-round pick.

Vaughn Telemaque, S

Year: Junior

Height: 6'2"

Weight: 200 lbs

Accolades:  2010 Nick Chickillo Most Improved Player

Notes: Telemaque started all 13 games last year for the Hurricanes for a reason as he was fourth on the team in tackles (59), tied for the team lead in interceptions (three), and led the team with three fumble recoveries.

He is a very hard hitter with great quickness and yet another Hurricane you will see playing in the NFL one day.

Sean Spence, LB

Year: Senior

Height: 6'0"

Weight: 225 lbs

Accolades:  2010 Team MVP, 2010 Second team All-ACC, 2008 ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year, numerousfFreshman All-American Teams (2008)

Notes: When I see Spence play, all I can think about is Ray Lewis, he is that good.  Spence, like Lewis, gets criticism for being too short, but when you are that good, size doesn't matter. 

Spence led the team with 111 tackles (fifth in ACC) and tackles for loss with 16 (fourth in ACC). Spence had a very unique ability of being around the ball on almost every play.

I expect Spence to be a late first round or second round pick in next years NFL draft.

Ray Ray Armstrong, S

Year: Junior

Height: 6'4"

Weight: 225 lbs

Accolades:  2010 Second team All-ACC

Notes: When you think about Armstrong, all that comes to mind is the original 26, Sean Taylor. In fact, Armstrong wears the same jersey, same hair style, and is nearly the same size as the late, great Taylor.

He is starting to play just the way Taylor did as well.

Standing 6'4", 225 pounds, Armstrong is an absolute beast at safety. His speed, quickness, and field vision allowed him to get 79 tackles (third on team). tied for the team lead in interceptions (three), and had 4.5 tackles for losses in his sophomore season.

He stepped up his game against the bigger opponents getting nine tackles in both the Florida State and Ohio State games.

Many expect Armstrong to be a first round draft pick, including ESPN's Todd McShay.