Miami Football: 7 Players the Hurricanes Will Miss the Most

The Hurricanes' season has been over now for three weeks but they are still in the sports headlines as players continue to leave the program early.

Four Hurricane players have already decided to take their talents to the next level.

While I wish them nothing but the best, they truly will be missed.

Here is a short list of those who will be missed the most.

Sean Spence, LB

Over the last four years Sean Spence has been the most important player on the Hurricanes roster.  He was a leader, a great teammate and one hell of a player.

Spence ended his career with 318 total tackles, 10.5 sacks and 47 tackles for loss. He led the team in both tackles and tackles for loss the last two years.

Spence was honored throughout his career being named to the All-ACC and Freshman All-American teams.

In my eyes, Spence is one of the best linebackers to have ever put on a Hurricane jersey.

Brandon Washington, OL

Brandon Washington got his first career start against South Florida as just a freshman and started in a total of 26 games in three years at Miami.

Washington started out as a guard but moved to left tackle in his senior season and struggled at times, but it didn't take away the talent he had.

Washington had one more year of eligibility left but decided to take his skill to the NFL.  Although I believe he could have used another year at Miami, there is no doubt he has the ability to succeed at the next level.

Washington was named to the 2010 All-ACC first team in just his sophomore season.

Marcus Forston, DL

Marcus Forston came into Miami as one of the most recruited defensive lineman in the country and earned his 5-star ranking during his freshman season.

Forston was voted to multiple freshman All-American teams after the 2008 season when he had 18 tackles, three sacks and 4.5 tackles for losses.

After suffering a season-ending injury early in his sophomore campaign he came back in his medical sophomore season with vengeance.

Forston ended the season with 37 tackles, three sacks, 12 tackles for loss and an interception.

This season was a different story though.  After serving a one game suspension, Forston only got to play in three games before succumbing to another season ending injury.

If Forston would have stayed for his senior season I believe he could have improved his draft status.  He is still a little raw and I would have liked him to play one more season of college football.

Either way he will be missed as Miami is a little thin on the defensive line.

Olivier Vernon, DL

Although Vernon only started 16 games in his three years at Miami, they were effective ones.

Vernon was an absolute beast on the defensive line and could have ended his Miami career as one of the best if he would have stayed for his senior season.

Vernon ended his career with 82 tackles, nine sacks and 21 tackles for loss.  He missed six games in his junior season due to NCAA infractions for taking gifts from an ex-booster.

Vernon was personally one of my favorite Hurricanes to watch on defense and will be sorely missed.

Travis Benjamin, WR/KR/PR

This one is a tough one to swallow for me as I have been following Benjamin very closely for the last four years.

Benjamin was Miami's only true playmaker the last four years.  He played all over the field including wide receiver, quarterback, kick and punt returner.

Every time he touched the ball there was a chance that he would score.

The four-year letterman ended his career with 131 receptions for 2,146 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Benjamin was named to rival.com's freshman All-American team in 2008.

Tommy Streeter, WR

Tommy Streeter declared eligible over a week ago and I am still uncertain it was the right thing to do.  Yes, he has the size (6'5") and speed (4.4/40) but he is still raw.

Streeter came into the season catching just six passes for 156 yards and a touchdown.  This season he led the team in catches (46), receiving yards (811) and touchdown receptions (8).

This season he was the main reason for Jacory Harris' success as he caught almost everything thrown his way.

Streeter is a superb athlete and finding a replacement for him next season will be tough to do.

Lamar Miller, RB

What else is there to really say about Lamar Miller that already hasn't been said?  Although he only gave us two years, he will be severely missed.

Millers' amazing speed and quickness (4.35/40) was something you hardly see from a running back and something we may not see again. 

This year was Miller's first year as a full-time starter and he relished in becoming the first Hurricane to run for over 1,000 yards since Willis McGahee.

Miller ended his Miami career with 1,918 yards and 15 touchdowns on the ground.  He also caught 28 passes for 181 yards and a touchdown.

Miller led the Hurricanes the last two years in rushing touchdowns.

He was named to the 2011 All-ACC team.