Washington And Vernon Latest To Leave

Two more Miami Hurricanes are forgoing their senior seasons, taking their talents to the NFL. Offensive lineman Brandon Washington and defensive end Olivier Vernon are the latest to bid farewell, joining fellow Cane standouts wideout Tommy Streeter, defensive tackle Marcus Forston and running back Lamar Miller.

Washington is one of nine players to start all twelve games for Miami last season and of the five early departures, is probably the most NFL-ready of the bunch. Washington played thirteen games as a freshman in 2009 and earned a start at South Florida and in the bowl game against Wisconsin.

As a sophomore in 2010 Washington started all thirteen games, earning ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week honors, grading out at a 95 percent in a loss to Virginia Tech. Washington graded out at a 99 percent earlier in the year in a dominating win over Pittsburgh.

Washington finished the 2011 season with an overall grade of 86 percent, with only five mental errors and three penalties. Of all the early departures to the NFL, the loss of Washington – and his leadership – will arguably hurt the most.

As for Vernon, a much different tale. Suspended six games for involvement with Nevin Shapiro – the most of any current Cane – Vernon has had an up and down career at UM. The potential was always there but seeming never reached.

Vernon played in eleven games as a freshman in 2009, earning starts against Virginia Tech and Wisconsin. As a sophomore Vernon started eleven games and played in all thirteen, placing second on the team in overall sacks and fourth in tackles for loss.

The eagerly-anticipated junior campaign is where the wheels fell off. After missing the first six games, Vernon joined his teammates at 3-3, having missed crucial games against Ohio State, Kansas State, Virginia Tech and North Carolina.

Upon his return Vernon earned three starts, finished with eighteen tackles and had a season-best performance at Florida State, finishing with five tackles. Vernon also recovered a fumble at Duke.

The message is the same as when Streeter, Forston and Miller left; good luck – but another year would’ve benefited both you and the team. Washington and Miller are the most game-ready, while Streeter, Vernon and especially Forston could’ve boosted their draft stock with a solid 2012 campaign.

That said, it is what it is. After taking over a 7-6 team entering this past season and a program that now sits at 41-35 since the 2005 Peach Bowl, Al Golden will embed himself in his process, recruiting away and building a team full of “his” kids.

Months back Golden mentioned a portion of this squad was reading headlines and feeling they were better than their on-the-field performance and with five early to declare and no sure first rounders, you get the feeling Coach saw something the outside fan didn’t regarding attitude, team chemistry and the true heart of many of his players.

Is Golden cleaning out his closet and pushing kid out? Doubtful. Especially not a Washington, Streeter or Miller. Still, a safe bet he sees the upside of making room for kids that can come give this program three to four years of service, as opposed to more more year in what will arguably be another rebuilding season.

Plus, should sanctions and scholarship losses hang in the balance, better to start stockpiling kids this year, building depth for the coming years. Five extra scholarships will help that.

Five new openings at ‘The U’ in 2012. Come one, come all, talented high school seniors and JUCO transfers. Immediate playing time being offered in Coral Gables. – C.B.

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