Miami Football: Top 10 Most Important People in the Program.

The news coming out of Miami hasn't been all that good, as many high profiled players are leaving the program early.

Marcus Forston, Olivier Vernon, Lamar Miller and Tommy Streeter have all recently signed with an agent and are no longer eligible to play at the college level.

Although those players are some of the best on the team, it doesn't mean Miami will be without any talent.

There still are plenty of good players at Miami, and here is a list of some of the most important players (and a coach) coming back next year.

Curtis Porter, DL

The defensive line lost three starting players over the last couple weeks.  Marcus Forston and Olivier Vernon decided to go into the NFL draft while Adewale Ojomo was denied a sixth year of eligibility.

What that comes down to is a sophomore, Antony Chickillo, and Curtis Porter, who has played in 11 total games.

Porter played in eight games his freshman season and one in his sophomore year before missing the rest of the season due to an injury.

This season Porter missed all but the last two games due to another injury that happened during the preseason.

What was impressive though were the last two games in which he made 10 tackles including one for a loss.

If Porter can stay healthy, there is no doubt he can fill the empty spot that Forston left.

Ryan Williams, QB

Memphis transfer Ryan Williams sat out last season due to transfer regulations, but still has three years of eligibility left.

Williams started at Memphis after the second game of the season and had a fairly decent season throwing for 2,075 yards and 13 touchdowns in the 10 games he started.

Even though it most likely will be Morris that will get the starting nod, Williams will play a huge part for the Hurricanes as he is the only other quarterback on the team with college experience.

Denzel Perryman, LB

The linebacker position took a big hit this year as Sean Spence graduated and took his talents to the NFL.

Good thing for Denzel Perryman. 

Perryman had a remarkable year finishing second on the team in tackles with 69, earning him a spot on several freshman All-American teams.

He is a big-time hitter with a tremendous knack for always being around the ball. 

Once he gets a better understanding of pass coverage and learns to wrap up more when he is attempting a tackle, he will be unstoppable.

With Sean Spence graduating, Perryman has big shoes to fill.

Anthony Chickillo, DL

Anthony Chickillo came into Miami as one of the most heralded recruit in the country, and after seeing him play one full season, he deserved all the recognition he got.

Chickillo was the only defensive lineman that actually played every down to the whistle.

Many of the defensive linemen took plays off, and it showed as Miami was horrible against the run.

Once Chickillo is able to get into the weight room this offseason and get some more weight on him, he will be a one-man wrecking machine.

With Olivier Vernon leaving for the NFL, Chickillo may be the best defensive lineman they have.

Al Golden, Head Coach

Head coach Al Golden is one of the most important people on the team because without him they wouldn't be as good as a team as they are going to be.

The Hurricanes needed a true leader that gave each player hope on a brighter future, and he is doing just that down in Miami.

I don't believe any other coach in the country could have dealt with the issues Miami had all season long.

Golden took all that negative energy around the program and made his players and coaches believe in what he is trying to do, bring Miami back to the top.

I bought in and within the next couple years, barring NCAA sanctions, Miami will contend for the ACC Championship.

Mike James, RB

Mike James had a fairly quiet year, not because he isn't talented, but because he played behind Lamar Miller.

Next year he will be the Hurricanes primary running back, as Miller is taking his talent to the next level.

James is a very powerful running back with decent speed; he just needs to get more touches to prove to everyone what he can do.

I believe James is a very solid running back but will probably end up splitting time with Eduardo Clements and maybe true freshman Duke Johnson.

Either way he is a senior that will need to step up and become a reliable starting running back.

Stephen Morris, QB

Stephen Morris got his opportunity to lead a team as just a freshman two years ago and played fairly well. 

Although he has more interceptions than touchdowns, he has the arm strength and physical ability to become a really good quarterback.

With Jacory Harris graduating this year, Morris will need to step his game up, limit the turnovers and become the quarterback I know he can be.

Transfer Ryan Williams will most likely contend for playing time with Morris, but I truly do not see Williams beating him out.

Morris will be a very valuable player next year and has the skills to succeed.

Seantrel Henderson, OL

Seantrel Henderson has the size and skill to be the best offensive lineman in the country, and depending on what position he will play, he has a shot at becoming an All-American.

Henderson originally started as a right tackle, then was moved to left tackle during the offseason earlier this year, but due to a back injury, he was replaced by Brandon Washington.

I believe he will compete this upcoming season at left tackle as Washington has decided to leave for the NFL.

Henderson is a monster and will be needed to be the leader of a so-so returning offensive line.

Allen Hurns, WR

Miami sophomore Allen Hurns started the season as the go-to guy, catching 10 passes and two touchdowns in the first two games.

The next five games though he was limited to just eight catches and one touchdown.

It seemed as though Hurns would disappear at times, and I am not sure if that was because of the spectacular play of Tommy Streeter or if he wasn't improving.

Hurns did make a comeback towards the end of the season but started to drop the ball more and more.

With Travis Benjamin and Tommy Streeter off to the NFL, Hurns will need to become the go-to guy again, but this time for the entire season.

He has the ability to do so, and I think he will.

The Entire Defensive Backfield

The Hurricanes defensive backs struggled all year this year, giving up yards and points to some pretty shaky quarterbacks.

The only returning cornerback with some college experience was Brandon McGee and had a pretty disappointing year.

Next season Miami will lose two more starting defensive backs as Mike Williams and JoJo Nicolas graduated. 

The two starting safeties will most likely be Ray Ray Armstrong and Vaughn Telemaque.

Brandon McGee should have one of the starting cornerback positions, but the other one will be a toss-up.

Thomas Finnie, A.J. Highsmith and Andrew Swasey got a lot of playing time off the bench this year, but none of them stood out from each other.

This upcoming offseason will be a battle for that last cornerback position.