We’re just a few days away from the renewal of a rivalry. Florida and Miami may not play every year anymore — and this may be the last time they play for a while — but that doesn’t change the bitter relationship between the fan bases.
In an effort to bring you inside the Hurricane locker room, we teamed up with CaneInsider.com this week to let you know everything you wanted to know about the Gators’ opponent. Brandon Odi of Cane Insider knows the Canes like we here at Gator Country know the Gators. He certainly is better equipped to break down Miami’s depth chart than we are and that’s just what he did for us here.
Quarterback
17 Stephen Morris
11 Ryan Williams
Stephen Morris is the leader of this Hurricane offense and as captain, has waited patiently for this to become “his” team. He played as a true freshman when Jacory Harris went down and then again as a sophomore during the NCAA suspensions Harris’ endured. Last year, Morris took over as the full-time starter. At 6’2”, 210 pounds, Morris is in the best physical shape of his life. His strengths are his live arm and his poise.
While Morris struggles with accuracy, he excels at taking few sacks and throwing very few interceptions (only seven last year during the entire season where he started every game).
Offensive Line
Left Tackle
74 Ereck Flowers
79 Malcolm Bunche
Left Guard
79 Malcolm Bunche
70 Jon Feliciano
Center
62 Shane McDermott
75 Jared Wheeler
Right Guard
65 Brandon Linder
75 Jared Wheeler
Right Tackle
70 Jon Feliciano
77 Seantrel Henderson
The offensive line for Miami is supposed to be one of the offense’s strengths. It’s a completely veteran unit composed primarily of juniors and seniors and the lone sophomore, Ereck Flowers, played in all 12 games at right tackle in 2012, starting four. Flowers is from the same high school as Duke Johnson, the two went to two Florida state championships during their prep career and won one.
This year Flowers moves to the left tackle spot where he’s being groomed for greatness. He’s interchangeable with Malcolm Bunche who was a full time starter at left tackle last year, but who slides on or off the line depending on whether or not Seantrel Henderson is in the rotation.
Miami believes in playing seven to eight guys on the offensive line and will rotate guys in during the game. The two things that typically don’t change is the center, Shane McDermott and the right guard, Brandon Linder who was last week’s ACC Offensive Lineman of the week.
This unit struggles in run blocking, mostly in short yardage situations but is very adept at pass blocking.
Tight End
46 Clive Walford
82 Asante Cleveland
85 Beau Sandland
Clive Walford is the main attraction at tight end and he was the only recipient of a touchdown pass from Morris in the opener. He’s a big target at 6’4”, 259 lbs and as a redshirt junior, he’s in his third year on the field. He looks faster and stronger that he ever has and his approach to the game has improved in each season under Al Golden.
Asante Cleveland is an oft praised summer and spring workout warrior who never has shown up on the field with any real production. While Walford has 46 career receptions for nearly 700 yards and 6 touchdowns, Cleveland has 11 receptions for only 128 yards as a senior. Junior college transfer Beau Sandland offers great size at 6’6”, 255 lbs but likely won’t be a factor in the passing game.
Running back
08 Duke Johnson
25 Dallas Crawford OR
23 Eduardo Clements
07 Gus Edwards
Duke Johnson is the main attraction in the Hurricane offense. He rushed for a career high 186 yards on 19 carries against FAU and probably would have gone for more had he not sat out the entire fourth quarter after an apparent slight injury to the head while blocking on a reverse. He’s dynamic, shifty and very fast. Johnson was a prep All-American and didn’t disappoint in 2012 as a true freshman at Miami, earning All-American honors at kick returner and rushing for 947 yards behind a senior taken in the fourth round by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Behind Johnson there are two developing threats in Dallas Crawford and Eduardo Clements. Crawford is the former high school teammate of Clemson’s Sammy Watkins who played QB as a prep. Having converted to running back, he’s finally in the shape he needs to be physically to contribute. He had a modest game against FAU last week but Clements was more impressive gaining first downs on tough, short yard runs while spelling Johnson. Edwards is a true freshman who played late in the opener but we don’t expect him to play versus Florida.
Fullback
33 Maurice Hagens
44 Walter Tucker
Miami doesn’t use a lot of fullback runs but Hagens is an important part of the overall run game. He’s smart, physical and fast. He was a high school tailback out of the Tampa area. He’s got great hands also, so he’s a threat in the passing game, particularly on third down. Walter Tucker is a true freshman moved from linebacker over to fullback after the departure of running back Danny Dillard in fall camp. He’s not expected to play unless there’s an injury to Hagens.
Receiver
01 Allen Hurns
03 Stacy Coley
80 Rashawn Scott
Allen Hurns is Stephen Morris’ safety blanket. He’s not particularly fast but runs very good routes and is a major threat in the run game as a blocker. Coley, a true freshman, is a burner but dropped two sure touchdowns in the openers. He could shake it off against Florida and surprise. Scott is out 4-6 weeks with collarbone injury, though the University says it’s his “shoulder.”
SLOT Receiver
06 Herb Waters
03 Stacy Coley
Herb Waters is an emerging star that could become a household name with a big game against the Gators. He took a reverse 63 yards for a score against FAU. He also had his biggest games at the end of last year (a four catch, 130 yard effort vs. USF stands out). He’s fast, big (6’2”, 193 lbs) and smart.
Receiver
04 Phillip Dorsett
06 Herb Waters
08 Malcolm Lewis
Dorsett is an absolute burner who has to be accounted for on every play. He runs high 4.2’s in the 40-yard dash and can also throw the ball, as he was a prep and youth quarterback. Last year, he struggled with some very disappointing drops at key moments but has game breaking potential. Like Waters, he’s very fast and can run after the catch. Lewis is returning from an ACL tear last year that sidelined him after the Georgia Tech game. The fact that he’s back on the field is a small miracle based on his injury.
Defensive End
71 Anthony Chickillo
90 Ufomba Kamalu
Chickillo is a versatile end who can rush the passer and also play the run. He’s a better pass rush guy but uses his intelligence against the run to fill his assignments, allowing others to make plays. He led the team in sacks the past two years as a true freshman and sophomore. This year, he could improve because he’s playing fewer minutes because of depth. Last season, he played the most snaps on defense behind current St. Louis Ram, Brandon McGee. Kamalu, the junior college transfer, adds depth and is too new to access based on one game.
Defensive Tackle
96 Curtis Porter
78 Justin Renfrow
17 Tyriq McCord
Porter is perhaps the most talented defensive lineman when healthy. At 6’2”, 325 lbs, he’s also the biggest. He’s had injury problems in each of his first three years at Miami. So far, he appears healthy for the first time and poses the biggest threat to the Gators running attack. Renfrow, a fifth year player from Virginia, was rarely used and likely will add depth. He had one stop against FAU. Keep an eye out for McCord on third down and long.
Defensive Tackle
91 Olsen Pierre
93 Luther Robinson
Olsen Pierre is consistently praised with how well he does in practice and games. He had three stops against FAU and is the silent leader of the defensive tackle unit, more so by example. Luther Robinson is a talent who is also in the best shape of his life, passing the conditioning test at Miami for the first time in his career as a redshirt senior.
Defensive End
51 Shayon Green
11 David Gilbert
98 Al-Quadin Muhammad
Green, along with the quarterback Morris, are the captains for Miami. He led the team in tackles last season and has overcome injuries in the past to establish himself as a leader of the defense. He has a nose for the ball. Gilbert offers depth as a fifth year player from Wisconsin but the rising star is true freshman Quan Muhammad. He’s a rush end with great speed and who also plays special teams on kickoffs. He’s a potential game changer, especially for a QB who has fumble issues.
Outside Linebacker
34 Thurston Armbrister OR
36 Alex Figueroa
Armbrister is a very physical player who is long and rangy and while he’s starting, there’s a chance that Figueroa may play more down the line. He’s a 6’3”, 235 lb true freshman who absolutely murdered the spring practice period. These two offer similar things on the outside.
Middle Linebacker
59 Jimmy Gaines
56 Raphael Kirby
94 Kelvin Cain
Jimmy Gaines is a leader and should make the majority of the tackles against the Gators other than fellow linebacker, Denzel Perryman. He’s backed up by Raphael Kirby who looked really good as a true freshman but has taken a step back and didn’t play as much as we expected against FAU. Kelvin Cain has been at defensive end, outside linebacker and now in the middle, so he’s got experience and versatility but isn’t prone to make many plays.
Outside Linebacker
52 Denzel Perryman
31 Tyrone Cornileus
Perryman is a guy who is immensely talented but who the coaching staff wants even more from. He dropped a sure pick-six against FAU on the game’s first defensive series and it’s that type of play that he has to make for Miami to have any chance to beat Florida. Cornileus gets not headlines but he’s steady and tough as nails. He had five tackles and a PBU against FAU and thinks he belongs, so that usually ups his play.
Cornerback
3 Tracy Howard
21 Antonio Crawford
Gator fans should know Tracy Howard well as he nearly went to the University of Florida. He didn’t do much in his first year but this year he’s expected to play much better. You didn’t see much from him in game one and he and Crawford switch out a lot but Howard was on when it counted. They’re both physical and fast, Crawford’s probably been more productive at the position in their young careers thus far. FAU had no passing game, as they’re quarterbacks were green, so this should be these guys first real test.
Safety
22 Kacy Rodgers II
30 AJ Highsmith
02 Deon Bush
Deon Bush is the main attraction here but a groin injury may sideline him again for Saturday’s game. If he does play, he’ll be limited but he’s so fierce that if he’s on the field, he’ll likely be trying to give it everything he has. Rodgers played exceptionally well against FAU, notching a sack and four tackles. The senior looks poised to break out but is largely unproven, especially against the pass, haven given up big plays before. Highsmith, the former quarterback, has experience and played a starting role opposite of Bush for much of last season.
Safety
26 RayShawn Jenkins
28 Nantambu-Akil Fentress
If there was a position to test on the field for Florida early in Saturday’s game, this would be it. Without Bush on the field and having either Rodgers or Highsmith on the other side, this side is left with inexperience. Jenkins played a fair amount last year, especially late but is still relatively new to a full-time role. He does have ball skills and as a former wide receiver, can pick the ball off and make something happen with it. Fentress is a walk-on who will likely earn a scholarship soon. He’s predominantly a special teams ace.
Cornerback
37 LaDarius Gunter
35 Nate Dortch
01 Artie Burns
Gunter, the former junior college transfer, is in his second season at Miami and has become their staple at the cornerback position. He’s their most talented and physical corner. He rarely comes off the field. Behind him is Nate Dortch, a freshman with only an FAU game under his belt and who is small in size, only 5’11”, 173 lbs. Burns, the true freshman, is a burner and has good size at 6’0”, 190 lbs but is as unproven as Dortch.
Kick Off Returner
04 Phillip Dorsett
08 Duke Johnson OR
01 Artie Burns
Both Dorsett and Johnson are threats to take it the distance anytime they touch the ball. Johnson did so twice last year and had several near misses. Dorsett has done so in the past but isn’t as likely as Johnson. Burns likely won’t be back to return kicks as a true freshman in a game of this magnitude but if he is, he’ll be the up man in the two man formation. And if they kick to him, he’ll likely take a knee if the ball is anywhere near the endzone.
Punt Returner
04 Phillip Dorsett
21 Antonio Crawford
Dorsett has been the main guy but although he’s not listed, against FAU, Miami lined up Dallas Crawford the backup running back, on punts alongside Dorsett. Though he’s been there since a freshman, Dorsett rarely makes big plays in the punt return game. Crawford, though listed here, will likely not be given an opportunity and instead, freshman Stacy Coley could see some time if a spark is needed.
Kicker
16 Matt Goudis
Goudis was 2-2 on field goals last week versus FAU and perfect on extra points. He’s been steady in his first season of real action.
Punter
16 Pat O’Donnell
Pat O’Donnell has a huge leg and was a big weapon for Miami’s sputtering offense in the first half against FAU. He had great distance, hang time and placement on his punts
Kick Off
16 Pat O’Donnell
O’Donnell has the big leg and had nothing but touchbacks against FAU.