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

In the early 2000's, the Hurricanes had one of the most potent offenses in the country. Now, they struggle to get 30 points.

With the lack of a good quarterback and some questionable play calls by poor offensive coordinators, the Hurricanes offense has been less then stellar, especially against good teams.

That was then and this is now.

With new coaches and a new attitude, I truly believe the Hurricanes are back on track to put some points back on the scoreboard.

Against Maryland on September 5, they will need it.

Here is my prediction for the starters on offense against the Terrapins.

Left Tackle

Starter

Seantrel Henderson, Sophomore

Henderson transferred from USC to Miami last year, and thank God he did.  Henderson is being considered as one of the best linemen in Hurricane history already.  His accolades prove it, being listed on almost every freshman All-American team last year.

This year, Henderson has been listed on many all-american teams by multiple publications, including one of 26 players in the country that was listed on the Playboy All-American team.

He will have to adjust, as he moved from right to left tackle earlier this spring.

I expect him to start against Maryland and every other game this year for the Hurricanes.

Backups

Malcolm Bunche, Freshman

Left Guard

Starter

Harland Gunn, Senior

Gunn is a cornerstone for the Hurricanes line, as he has started 18 games for the Hurricanes, including all 13 last year.

Gunn has terrific feet with a strong base.

I expect Gunn to start against Maryland and every other game for the Hurricanes this year.

Backups

Brandon Linder, Sophomore

Center

Starter

Tyler Horn, Senior

Horn didn't see much time until last year, when he started all 13 games for the Hurricanes.  He was third on the team with 39 pancake blocks.

Horn also was voted ACC Player of the Week last year after a great game against North Carolina.

This year, Horn has been put on the Rimington Trophy watch list, an award given to the best center in the country.

Backups

Shane McDermott, Freshman

Right Guard

Starter

Brandon Washington, Junior

There perhaps is a better guard in the country than Brandon Washington. He was second on the team with 56 pancake blocks and won the All-ACC Offensive Player of the Week award twice last year.

Washington was voted on to the first team All-ACC Team last year as a sophomore.

This year, many publications have him on the preseason All-American teams and All-ACC teams, and he is currently on the Outland Trophy watch list, an award given to the best interior lineman.

ESPN's, Todd McShay has Brandon Washington listed as a possible first round draft pick next year.

Washington will be the starter in every game this year.

Backups

Jared Wheeler, Sophomore

Right Tackle

Starter

Jermaine Johnson, Sophomore

As a redshirt freshman, Johnson played in 11 games and started in five of them, including the Sun Bowl game against Notre Dame.

Johnson will be taking over the starting right tackle position.

Along with Seantrel Henderson, Johnson will be the youngest starter on the offensive line.

Johnson is a great athlete and should be the starter for the Maryland game, as well as every other game for the Hurricanes.

Backups

Ben Jones, Junior

Tight End

Starter

Blake Ayles, Senior

Ayles, like Seantrel Henderson, is a transfer from USC after a three year stint with the Trojans.

Although he only caught 14 passes for 182 at USC, he has excelled for Miami this spring, even starting the spring game earlier this year.

I expect Ayles to start against Maryland, although super sophomore Asante Cleveland maybe the Hurricanes best tight end.

Cleveland was hurt during the entire spring session after appearing in 12 games for the Hurricanes and starting in two of them.

He was fifth on the Hurricanes team with 110 yards receiving as a true freshman.

Another possible starter is Chase Ford, who appeared in nine games last year, starting in one.

For the first game against Maryland, if Cleveland is still injured, it will be Ayles.

Backups

Chase Ford, Senior

Asante Cleveland, Sophomore

John Calhoun, Junior

Clive Walford, Freshman

Cory White, Sophomore

Wide Receiver

Starter

Travis Benjamin, Senior

Benjamin will be the returning starter with the most receptions (43) and receiving yards (793) from last years team, second to Leonard Hankerson in both categories.

Benjamin also led the team with 17.3 yards per reception.

Over the spring, Benjamin was all over the field and made some very impressive catches, but it seems as though Golden is more interested in his punt and kick return ability, as he will be the starter for all three positions.

With the receivers being a question mark for the Hurricanes, this one will not be, as he is the most consistent returning receiver.

Backups

Kendall Thompkins, Junior

Allen Hurns, Sophomore

Aldarius Johnson, Senior

Phillip Dorsett, Freshman

Chad Barns, Sophomore

Wide Receiver

Starter

LaRon Byrd, Senior

Byrd is the only other receiver with some real game time experience, playing in all 13 games last year as well as starting in six of them.

He was third on the team in receptions (41) and receiving yards (441).

Byrd came into Miami as a highly touted receiver, yet really hasn't hit is stride. I expect Byrd to have a breakout season and be a key figure in the Hurricanes passing game.

Backups

Kendall Thompkins, Junior

Allen Hurns, Sophomore

Aldarius Johnson, Senior

Phillip Dorsett, Freshman

Chad Barns, Sophomore

Fullback

Starter

Maurice Hagens, Sophomore

The Hurricanes do not list a fullback on their roster or on their preseason depth chart on their official website www.hurricanesports.com.

John Calhoun (TE), Maurice Hagens (RB) and David Thompson (RB) all have played at fullback last year or during their high school careers.

Calhoun and Hagens are my prediction, as both players were used at fullback last year for the Hurricanes.

If I had to guess, I would go with Hagens, although that is just a shot in the dark.

All players with fullback experience:

John Calhoun, Junior

David Thompson, Sophomore

Running Back

Starter

Lamar Miller, Sophomore

Miller is the main focus for the Hurricanes this year. Al Golden and the rest of the coaching staff have already came out and said that Miami is going to be a rushing the ball a lot.

Miller, if given enough touches, has a chance to do some special things for the Hurricanes this year.

He is an extraordinarily fast running back with amazing quickness that allowed him to rush for 646 yards on just 108 carries last year.

Miller played in 11 games last year, making only one start against Maryland.

He had the single game season high last year against Virginia Tech when he rushed for 163 yards.

In this year's spring game, Miller had 166 yards and three touchdowns on just 10 carries.

Miller will start every game this year for the Hurricanes.

Backups

Mike James, Junior

Darion Hall, Freshman

Quarterback

Starter

Jacory Harris, Senior

This one took time for me to decide.  In fact, I almost flipped a coin to make the decision between Harris and Stephen Morris, but I went with my gut instinct and picked Jacory Harris.

Harris has started 22 games for the Hurricanes over the past three years.  He had an outstanding sophomore year, as he was the first quarterback to throw for over 3,000 yards since Ken Dorsey did it back in 2002.

The problem with Harris is he got worse last year.

The major problem with Harris is his decision making and pop gun arm, which is a proven issue, as he has thrown 39 interceptions in his career, including 15 last year and 17 the year before.

In the spring game this year, Harris and Morris each threw two interceptions a piece.

Although I believe Harris gets the nod over Morris for the game against Maryland, it truly is a question mark on who will start more games this year.

I am hoping they figure out one starter for the whole year before the season begins.

Backups

Stephen Morris, Sophomore

Spencer Whipple, Senior