Miami Football: 5 Players Who Surprised Us, 5 Players Who Need to Step Up

Although the Hurricanes went 6-6 (3-5 ACC) this year, I still believe they made some progress.

The Hurricanes didn't even have a full team until the seventh game of the season, when the last of the original 13 players came back from suspension.

Miami was lacking depth at many positions but more notably on the defense.

A couple of freshmen proved they have a great career ahead of them, while a few other players need to step up next year if Miami has any chance of improving on this year's so-so season.

Note: This list only contains players that are currently on the team.  Obviously this list will change if any of the mentioned players decide to leave early for the NFL.

Needs to Step Up: Mike James, RB

In the last two years, Mike James has had to be a back up running back for the Hurricanes, but with Lamar Miller most likely taking his talents to the NFL next year, James will need to step up.

James didn't quite have the season he had in 2010, when he ran for 400 yards and three touchdowns on 70 carries.

This year, James only had 275 yards on 72 carries, but he did score seven touchdowns.

James is a terrific running back and once he is given the chance to start full-time, I believe he will show the entire country how good he really is.

Needs to Step Up: Stephen Morris, QB

Stephen Morris has already had five starts in two seasons for the Miami Hurricanes and has proven to be a pretty good quarterback.

If Miami wants to become the best in the country, he will need to turn it up a notch.

There is no doubt in my mind that Morris has the skill-set to become a great quarterback, he just hasn't had the talent around him to help him succeed.

His arm strength is outstanding and he throws very well on the run.

With Jacory Harris graduating, Morris will be the starter even though he will receive some tough competition from Memphis transfer Ryan Williams.  Williams had to sit out this year due to transfer rules.

Morris just needs to stop turning the ball over and have confidence in his very talented wide receivers who will be coming back next year.

Needs to Step Up: Brandon Washington, OL

Brandon Washington came into the season as a highly touted offensive lineman who was on many preseason award watch lists.  He was even on the preseason All-ACC team.

He never made the team.

Washington, who's regular position was right guard, was moved to left tackle early in the season and really never adjusted.

Midway through the season, head coach Al Golden even called him out stating that he was unhappy with the left tackle.

It is really hard to say if Washington will be trying out for the left tackle position next season or if he will move back to his guard spot

Whatever position he plays next year, he will need to be the leader of the offensive linemen and play up to his potential.

Needs to Step Up: Ray Ray Armstrong, S

Many believed, including myself, that Ray Ray Armstrong had the potential to become the next Sean Taylor. In fact he was listed as a potential first-round NFL draft pick by Todd McShay before the season even started. (If you have ESPN Insider, you can read it here.)

After this season, the only thing they have in common is the jersey number.

Armstrong did not have a good junior season at all.  He was suspended for the first four games due to NCAA infractions and then was suspended for another game due to a tweet.

Out of the seven games he was able to play this year, he only got one start and that was against Duke.  Armstrong finished the season with 34 tackles and one interception.

He has the physical ability (6'4, 215 pounds) to become a very special player.  He just needs to work harder and keep his mind straight.

With a Sean Spence graduating, Armstrong needs to pick his game up and be the leader on the defense next year.

Needs to Step Up: Brandon McGee, CB

One of the worst positions on the team this year was play of the defensive backs.  They allowed some of the worst quarterbacks in the conference to have very good games against them.

Brandon McGee came into the season as their only returning cornerback who had any college experience at the position.

He started all 12 games this year, but was hardly productive, only making 38 tackles and and one interception.

McGee will be a senior next year and will once again be the only player with real experience.  He will need to work harder this offseason and provide a spark for a very inexperienced defensive backfield.

Players Who Surprised: Jake Wieclaw

One of the biggest question marks going into the 2011 season was who was going to be the kicker/punter.

Matt Bosher finally graduated and that left a massive hole at the position.

Jake Wieclaw was the only kicker on the team and he never even kicked in one college game.  He went from a nobody to a Lou Groza semi-finalist in less than one football season.

Wieclaw ended the season making 11 of 14 field goals and all 39 extra points, including a game-winning kick against South Florida.

Players Who Surprised: Allen Hurns

Allen Hurns played very little last season, not receiving even one catch; but with the departure of Leonard Hankerson, he was needed to perform a lot better this year.

He did just that.

Hurns ended the season third on the team in receptions (31), yards (415), and second in touchdowns with four.

He continually made big catches when Miami needed them most.  His only problem was towards the end of the season when he dropped a few passes.

Either way, he was huge and gives Miami quarterbacks a nice target for a couple more years.

Players Who Surprised: Tommy Streeter

Tommy Streeter came into this season with a total of six catches for 156 yards and one touchdown.

He was a highly touted player coming out of high school and many believe he would be a superstar especially with his height (6'5) and speed (4.5/40).

He never panned out the first two years, but that all changed this year when he led the team in receptions (46), yards (811), and touchdowns (8).

Streeter ran great routes and attacked almost every pass that was thrown his way.

He said he is coming back for his senior season and is expected to make even be more of an impact for Stephen Morris.

Besides Lamar Miller and Sean Spence, Streeter was the third best player on the team.

Players Who Surprised: Anthony Chickillo

Everyone knew who Anthony Chickillo was before he even arrived in Coral Gables.  The third generation Hurricane blew up the Under Armour high school football game, earning MVP honors.

He kept the momentum going at Miami, recording 38 tackles and tying for the team lead with five sacks.

Once Chickillo bulks up at Miami, he may end his career as one of the best defensive linemen who ever wore a Hurricanes jersey.

Players Who Surprised: Denzel Perryman

For me, there wasn't a more surprising player on the field than true freshman Denzel Perryman.

The only thing I knew about Perryman is that his YouTube highlights were sick as he dominated at the high school level.

I figured that once he got into a big-time football program like Miami he would get pushed around.

I was way off.

Perryman ran around the field like a man possessed, hitting anything and everything that got in his way.  His non-stop motor and hitting ability reminds me of Hurricane legend Ray Lewis.

Yes, he has that much potential.

Perryman ended the season second on the team in tackles (69) and third on the teams in tackles for loss (6.5).

Once he understands the speed and coverages in Miami, he might become one of the better linebackers who ever played at Miami.