Miami Hurricanes Football Pre-NFL Draft Tidbits

The Miami Hurricanes have been the unexpected talk of the upcoming NFL Draft; a balance of both some positive and negative news.

The good; a handful of quality Canes look to dominate this year’s selection process and the next crop of kids to join the NFL U ranks are here.

The not-so-good? The fact that Al Golden and his staff ended the season with a four-game losing streak and underachieved their way to a 6-7 year-four campaign, despite so many quality and explosive players.

All that said, Miami’s roster top-to-bottom was still full of holes last year; defensive line (especially at tackle), linebacker depth (five players leaving the program over a two-year span), next-level play in the secondary (4- and 5-star talent not producing), inexperience at quarterback (Brad Kaaya shone brightly, but still made a handful of rookie mistakes in crucial moments that thwarted some comebacks), as well as the lack of a bruising back (Duke Johnson was a stud, but Gus Edwards was inconsistent regarding the one-two punch that Johnson experienced as a freshman when the hard-nosed Mike James was still in the mix.)

Still, there was enough talent to win more than six games and enough playmakers on both sides of the ball to make more of a week-to-week difference. More of that below in this week’s Draft-tastic, “The Latest At The U” column:

Wide receiver Phillip Dorsett seems to be the biggest Canes-themed storyline regarding this year’s Draft. The lack of production the former senior saw in 2014 is downright inexplicable and borderline offensive.

Dorsett had a paltry 36 receptions last season—yet still went for 10 touchdowns. As a sophomore in 2012, 58 passes were fired his way; a go-to target for then-starting quarterback Stephen Morris. Dorsett was third in receptions for Miami in 2014, both behind Johnson—a running back—and tight end Clive Walford, who Dorsett still out-gained, 871 yards to Walford’s 676.

The gross misuse of a speedster averaging over 24.2 yards-per-reception. Despite world-class wheels, coaches also only threw one screen pass Dorsett’s way all season, while not even attempting reverses or end-around.

On an occasion, or two, Miami coaches actually had Kaaya toss one to Dorsett behind the line of scrimmage, setting him to attempt a pass, opposed to utilizing his speed.

Dorsett killed at the recent NFL combine, proved to be the fastest participant and according to many reports, looks like he played himself into the first round of the Draft. (He was ran the fastest 40 ever recorded at Miami; let that sink in for a moment.)

Dorsett is going to become a next-level player in the NFL and when it’s all said and done, his lack of opportunities during last year’s 6-7 campaign will go down as one of the biggest fails by this coaching staff the past four seasons—which is saying a ton.

I don’t claim to know much about columnist Joe Giglio—a sports columnist with his 3,700-plus Twitter followers—but his recent comments about Golden popped up on a few Canes-themed sites this week and they’re as spot-on as anything said about the maligned UM coach thus far.

“Miami’s talent exceeded its win total last season, and that’s never good for a coach’s well-being. This is a crossroads season for Golden,” stated Giglio.

“He weathered the Nevin Shapiro scandal, when he could have bailed, but the payoff has to be more than a 6-7 record. Improving without Johnson, who might wind up as the next NFL rookie of the year, is an uphill proposition.”

While the notion certainly stings, can it even be argued at this point? At best, a wait-and-see situation for Miami and Golden, but the talent certainly did exceed the end result and Golden has absorbed back-to-back off-season beatings (starting last season with the Penn State situation) that have certainly taken their toll.

If Miami couldn’t win more than six games last season, what is Golden’s answer this fall—because the Canes certainly didn’t have one during crucial moments in 2014.

After the fact, Miami coaches were quick to admit they were conservative with Kaaya in a loss to Louisville. No harm, no real foul as it was the freshman’s first game in a hostile environment. But what about Ameer Abdullah running all over the Canes for 229 yards, while Nebraska combined for 343 on the night?

Down 17-14 at the half, the Canes didn’t come out with an answer and it was more of the same as the Huskers put up 24 more points and remained unstoppable.

Miami seemed to shore things up a week later in its most-impressive defensive outing of the year, limiting Duke to 264 total yards—but the Canes’ offense couldn’t convert and needed a few mini-miracles down the stretch to hold on for the, 22-10 win.

Still, it seemed Miami grew up that night, put two early losses behind it and was ready to make a run at a Coastal Division crown, right? Wrong. Next up, Georgia Tech.

Out-coached in a 28-17 road loss and game of keep away. Beyond not stopping the run, the Yellow Jackets dominated time-of-possession, an ungodly 40:45 to 19:15. Paul Johnson said Miami couldn’t score if the Canes didn’t have the ball so he went out and ensured that was the case, while UM coaches couldn’t get their defense off the field.

All that was eventually capped off with a four-game losing streak; sparked by an almost-upset of Florida State and a monster collapse that ripped the soul out of a team; a team that showed up unprepared, unmotivated and lifeless in losses to a four-win Virginia team and Pittsburgh squad fighting for bowl eligibility.

Regarding the bowl game against South Carolina; missed opportunities early and another typical Miami game where the defense allows one guy to explode all over them in every way, shape and form—in this case, wideout Pharoh Cooper, who hauled in nine receptions for 170 yards, including a 78-yard touchdown in the second quarter, putting the Gamecocks ahead for good.

The other difference-maker in the loss; head coach Steve Spurrier changing it up in the second quarter, deciding to let his quarterback air it out and letting playmakers make plays—which the did, outscoring Miami, 24-15 from that point forward.

Back to Giglio’s original point; look at what Miami did last year with what it had and based on that in itself, where are things really slated to go this year with a dozen less big name Canes making plays?

In short, a full-blown coaching about-face is necessary this fall of Golden is going to right this ship and get the most out of this roster.

In more positive news, a great piece ran yesterday at ThePlayersTribune.com, profiling The Duke Of Coral Gables. The narrative; his answer to an imaginary NFL want-ad; “For Hire: Explosive Back Who Just Needs A Seam.”

How many NFL-related eyes will see this before the upcoming Draft, who knows … but it is an ideal calling card for Johnson, allowing him to really share who he is, what he’s about and what he brings to the table—citing his toughness, versatility and addressing what some might say about his lack of size (“I wouldn’t have made it to this point of my size held me back from making plays.”)

Johnson (and TPJ editors) sprinkled in some stats; ho-hum, 249 yards and two touchdowns at Virginia Tech when it was on the ground game to get the win, as well as an ability to be part of a pro-style offense, or the spread, while getting some touches on special teams—which he played early at Miami, but didn’t get to do late due to a lack of true running back depth.

Like Dorsett, Johnson will blaze his trail at the next-level, though his downfall at Miami’s was the opposite of the receiver; Johnson was overworked, opposed to under. The lack of a bruising back had Johnson carrying too many times per game, absorbing too many hits and not always going on fresh legs, that someone with his speed would benefit from.

Imagine Johnson in an era at “The U” where he had a Willis McGahee, Clinton Portis, Frank Gore or Najeh Davenport ahead or behind him. Less pressure and more quality touches would’ve meant more highlights, big plays and arguably more wins.

… and just after writing about about the Johnson piece in TPT, a news alert regarding Dorsett’s came through; titled, “For Hire: Receiver With Big Speed And Big Heart”.

Equally as compelling as his former teammate’s, Dorsett finds a way to push all the same buttons; singing his praises without at all coming off like a braggart.

Dorsett wisely brings up his super-speed, his heart for running track, his natural abilities as a sprint, fast-twitch speed and what not—he also let’s it be know he’s a route runner, his overall strength, his tenure as a number one receiver, his hands, his physicality, his abilities as a teammate (due to being a team player in a big family) and his degree; sociology, which will certainly help in an NFL locker room.

Also worth noting; Dorsett praising his high school coach (which happened to be NFL great and legendary receiver Cris Carter, and like Johnson, makes no reference to Hurricanes coaches or his overall experience at Miami. Just sayin’.

Lastly, everyone’s favorite commentator and almost-Canes head coach (not really) Jon Gruden has been on a Miami tear this week with the Draft approaching and it’s worth looking up some of what he’s had to say.

Dave Hyde of the Sun-Sentinel went transcript-style earlier today with a back-and-forth between Gruden and NFL Draft guru Mel Kiper Jr., regarding Canes’ linebacker Denzel Perryman.

For those too lazy to click the link, Gruden sees Perryman as a first rounder, dropped some Ray Lewis comparisons (as well as calling out Kiper for saying Lewis wasn’t first round material years back) and called hims “the most explosive hitter in this Draft.”

Side note, for Dolphins fans, Hyde also took the time to lay out an all-Canes Draft for the hometown team and a scenario where Miami picks a UM kid with every pick. The premise actually makes sense and would fill needs across the board. Check it.

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