Miami Hurricanes Football 2011: Predicting the Defensive Depth Chart for Opener

Bleacher ReportJun 7, 2018

Although it's still a couple months before the opening day, it is never too early to discuss who I believe will be starting for the Hurricanes.

There are still some freshmen that have yet to have a real practice, so this prediction is just a speculation that none of them will be taking over a starting position.

First up for the Hurricanes is ACC foe Maryland, who returns a very good class.

Here is my early prediction of who starts on defense for the Hurricanes.

Free Safety

1 of 11

Starter

Vaughn Telemaque, Junior

Last year he was one of just seven Hurricanes that started in all 13 games last year. He ended the season fourth on the team in tackles with 59 and tied the team lead with three interceptions.

Telemaque was voted by his coaches the most improved player on the team. His is a very hard worker with amazing skills that we will one day see playing on Sundays.

He will start against Maryland and every other game this year.

Backups

Andrew Swasey, Junior

Kacy Rodgers, Sophomore

Strong Safety

2 of 11

Starter

Ray Ray Armstrong, Junior

Although Armstrong only started four games last year, he is already being listed on ESPN.com as the No. 1 safety in the ACC, and for good reason.

As a sophomore he was voted to the second team All-ACC team as he racked up 79 tackles, second on the team, for the Hurricanes. He also tied with the team lead in interceptions with three.

Armstrong has a rare combination of size (6'4'', 220 pounds) and speed (4.4/40) that will no doubt take him to the NFL.

Like Telemaque, Armstrong will start every game this year.

Backups

Eduardo Clements, Sophomore

Alonzo Highsmith Jr., Junior

Cornerback

3 of 11

Starter

Lee Chambers, Senior

If there were any question marks on the team, this position would be one of them, as all of the Hurricanes starters went on to play in the NFL.

With the depth so shallow, Chambers was moved from running back to cornerback earlier this spring.

He showed great instinct, good speed, and has a good recovery to the ball. I believe Chambers will be one of the biggest surprises on the defensive side of the ball this year.

I think Chambers will start, but with the experience McGee has, I wouldn't count Chambers starting the entire year, but at least against Maryland.

Backups

Brandon McGee, Junior

Cornerback

4 of 11

Starter

JoJo Nicolas, Senior

This is one of the hardest decisions I made in this entire article, as freshman Thomas Finnie showed amazing cornerback skills this spring.

What it came down to was experience at the college level.

Finnie is a true freshman, while Nicolas started 10 games at safety last year. Although they are two totally different positions, Nicolas stepped up nicely and had a very good spring.

I believe, for the first game at least, Nicolas will get the starting nod.

Backups

Thomas Finnie, Freshman

Outside Linebacker

5 of 11

Starter

Ramon Buchanan, Senior

Buchanan was a reliable linebacker last year, starting 10 games and ending fifth in the team in tackles with 54, and he also had eight tackles for loss.

He is a very hard worker with a great motor and is not afraid to hit someone.

There is no doubt that is will be the starter at outside linebacker for the entire season.

Backups

Gionni Paul, Freshman

Akil Craig, Freshman

Inside Linebacker

6 of 11

Starter

Kelvin Cain, Sophomore

This was another tough decision between Cain, Jordan Futch, and James Gaines, but I went with experience on this one as well.

Futch has primarily played special teams in his career but is a terrific athlete that can see some major playing time this year.

Gaines, on the other hand, is also a terrific player and was highly touted by Al Golden this spring.

The reason I went with Cain is because with Colin McCarthy getting hurt last year, this freshman came in and played some outstanding linebacker play.

He played in 11 games (started in four) and had nine of 12 tackles that were unassisted. He has a great knack for the ball and is a very athletic linebacker.

If healthy (hurt most of the spring), I believe he will be the starting inside linebacker, for the Maryland game at least.

Backups

James Gaines, Sophomore

Jordan Futch, Senior

Outside Linebacker

7 of 11

Starter

Sean Spence, Senior

Is there really a question as to who will be the starting outside linebacker for the Hurricanes?

Spence had a tremendous year last year as a junior, leading the Hurricanes in tackles (116) and tackles for loss (16.5), while being voted by the coaches as the team MVP.

Although he is criticized for being a short linebacker, he plays larger than life, even being mentioned as the possible next Ray Lewis.

Spence is about the same size Lewis was his senior year at Miami (6'0''/230lbs) and everyone knows how well Lewis has done at the next level.

Spence has that same heart and dedication that could make him the next first-round draft pick.

There is no doubt Spence starts against Maryland and every other game this year.

Backups

CJ Holton, Junior

Jordan Futch, Senior (listed as both inside and outside LB)

Defensive End

8 of 11

Starter

Adewale Ojomo, Senior

After missing his sophomore season due to a jaw injury, Ojomo came back last year and proved why he is going to be the starter for the Hurricanes for the next couple seasons.

He is that new breed of defensive end—speedy and lean.

Ojomo played in all 13 games last year, while starting just four, and he was still able to record 38 tackles, five sacks, and 7.5 tackles for loss.

He is a tremendous athlete with a non-stop motor that will have him starting for the Hurricanes the entire year.

Backups

Marcus Robinson, Senior