After serving a six-game suspension, Olivier Vernon is back in action this weekend when Georgia Tech visits.
The 6-foot-4, 265-pound defensive end was suspended for accepting “impermissible benefits” from rogue UM booster Nevin Shapiro – most of them related to his recruiting, which earned the six-game sit down, as opposed to the one or four games other teammates received.
No position on Miami’s defense needs more of a boost than defensive line. The Canes already lost Marcus Forston for the season, as well as Curtis Porter, while Jalen Grimble and Luther Robinson have been banged up much of the season.
Though heavily needed, coaches will ease Vernon back into the mix as they did safety Ray-Ray Armstrong weeks back. Vernon is currently listed as co-second string at left end with Marcus Robinson. They are both backing starter Shayon Green.
Last season Vernon was second on the team and eleventh in the ACC with six sacks and fourth on the team in tackles for losses with 10.5.
Chris,
It seems like we have been talking about depth issues for at least 5 years now. We had depth issues under Shannon, and we have depth issues under Golden. Why is that? It seem like each level of the defense is in need of able bodies. Interior D-Line, LB and CB all are in need of help. Is that players not developing enough to get on the field or what? Those three areas seem to be lacking for a long time now. I hope Golden addresses these with this class and in the future.
I think saying you have “depth issues” is just another way of saying “I wish we had someone else because the starters aren’t that good.” No one complains about “depth” when the starters are lights out good…
… I think when you’re down four offensive linemen anywhere across the nation you’re going to deal with depth issues. Even the best squads in the land would struggle to lose as many players as UM has on defense this year.
Welcome back!!!!!’
There’s no question that Vernon’s return helps the defense in terms of depth. It will certainly be curious to see how he reacts (especially this game). Will he try and do too much in his first action back and be overaggressive, thus being less fundamental or will he play within himself and make the plays that he’s capable of making? Realistically, it’s naive to think he’ll make a HUGE impact on this game in particular, since he’ll be rusty, but playing against GT in years past should be to his advantage (regardless of the new scheme). The film study he’s done will definitely need to come into play this week.