Reading the 2018 analysis today gave me some big hope for the program as this is what a Miami recruiting class should look like at the minimum every year. However while reading it I could not help but think this year could be an absolute disaster in terms of moving the program forward. I am very cautiously optimistic about 2020 but I do think if the O-line can put together a decent season (on par with 2017) this could turn into a really good season. I don't think we have the juice to beat Clemson even if the stars align, but an 11-1 or 10-2 finish and a respectable game against Clemson (by that I mean losing 35-20 or so) leading to an Orange Bowl appearance.
That scenario would be awesome however my main concern is that this success will lead Miami to do what it does best and have talent defect en masse to the NFL before they are ready. When looking at the 2018 roster and I am also considering Phillips and Bolden as they both have 2 years left, I see a lot of guys who could be poised for breakout seasons, especially if Lashlee gets the offense churning like at SMU.
Losing Rousseau to me is a given and he should, even if he regresses a little (say 8-12 sacks) it is hard to imagine him not going in the first round. Good for him he earned it, go get paid. If Brevin Jordan stays healthy and puts up 600+ yds it would also proably make sense for him to jet as he would probably be a 1st-2nd round guy as well.
If we look at the next tier these are sure fire starters (Mallory is backup with starter caliber)
Cam Harris- 5.1 yds carry behind that garbage line last year, no reason to believe he can't put up 1000 this year given how many plays we will run.
Al Blades/ DJ Ivey- Both had really bad and really good games, for the sake of this article I am assuming they have success and have far more good games this season. Not necessarily lock down but lets say 3rd or HM team ACC caliber.
Gurvan Hall/Bubba Bolden- Bolden looked very good in limited PT and Hall had a very solid sophmore season, lets say they do a Redwine/Johnson performance for their junior year
J Phillips/Nesta Silvera- Put up solid numbers based on Roche and Rousseau getting a ton of attention, for the sake of argument they put up 8-12 TFL and 5-7 sacks.
DJ Scaife- Gets pushed to the inside and plays exceptionally at guard where he is a more natural fit.
Will Mallory- Gains confidence and cuts the drops and gets featured in 2 TE sets often and puts up 500+ with 6+ touchdowns.
Mark Pope/ Dee Wiggins- One or both put up 600+ yds and 6+ TDs under Lashlees spread offense.
These scenarios are not meant to be a "pumper" dream and any/all of these scenarios could happen this season, I am trying to just paint a picture as any of these players could do substantially better or worse than this small outline. What concerns me is given our past players horrible decisions to go pro, I think any of the above scenarios could cause each of these guys to declare early. Losing Jordan and Rousseau will definitely hurt but if more than one or two of these others has a great season and then jets for the 5-7th round it seems to me we will be on the same carousel ride we have been on for the last 15 years. If most of these guys improve and stay on board for 21, I think if we can get a QB we could be looking at back to back 10 wins for the first time in too long. I'm curious what the board thinks, this has been bouncing in my head all day and I am curious if anyone had thoughts on this.
That scenario would be awesome however my main concern is that this success will lead Miami to do what it does best and have talent defect en masse to the NFL before they are ready. When looking at the 2018 roster and I am also considering Phillips and Bolden as they both have 2 years left, I see a lot of guys who could be poised for breakout seasons, especially if Lashlee gets the offense churning like at SMU.
Losing Rousseau to me is a given and he should, even if he regresses a little (say 8-12 sacks) it is hard to imagine him not going in the first round. Good for him he earned it, go get paid. If Brevin Jordan stays healthy and puts up 600+ yds it would also proably make sense for him to jet as he would probably be a 1st-2nd round guy as well.
If we look at the next tier these are sure fire starters (Mallory is backup with starter caliber)
Cam Harris- 5.1 yds carry behind that garbage line last year, no reason to believe he can't put up 1000 this year given how many plays we will run.
Al Blades/ DJ Ivey- Both had really bad and really good games, for the sake of this article I am assuming they have success and have far more good games this season. Not necessarily lock down but lets say 3rd or HM team ACC caliber.
Gurvan Hall/Bubba Bolden- Bolden looked very good in limited PT and Hall had a very solid sophmore season, lets say they do a Redwine/Johnson performance for their junior year
J Phillips/Nesta Silvera- Put up solid numbers based on Roche and Rousseau getting a ton of attention, for the sake of argument they put up 8-12 TFL and 5-7 sacks.
DJ Scaife- Gets pushed to the inside and plays exceptionally at guard where he is a more natural fit.
Will Mallory- Gains confidence and cuts the drops and gets featured in 2 TE sets often and puts up 500+ with 6+ touchdowns.
Mark Pope/ Dee Wiggins- One or both put up 600+ yds and 6+ TDs under Lashlees spread offense.
These scenarios are not meant to be a "pumper" dream and any/all of these scenarios could happen this season, I am trying to just paint a picture as any of these players could do substantially better or worse than this small outline. What concerns me is given our past players horrible decisions to go pro, I think any of the above scenarios could cause each of these guys to declare early. Losing Jordan and Rousseau will definitely hurt but if more than one or two of these others has a great season and then jets for the 5-7th round it seems to me we will be on the same carousel ride we have been on for the last 15 years. If most of these guys improve and stay on board for 21, I think if we can get a QB we could be looking at back to back 10 wins for the first time in too long. I'm curious what the board thinks, this has been bouncing in my head all day and I am curious if anyone had thoughts on this.
