In head coach Al Golden’s four seasons at Miami, the Hurricanes have won just 28 out of 50 games.
Last season, Miami went 6-7 after losing their last four games including their loss to South Carolina in the Independence Bowl. However, despite the outcome of their season, the Hurricanes had seven players drafted by the NFL in 2015.
Miami lost a lot of their talent to the NFL, but the offense may take the biggest hit after losing running back Duke Johnson, wide receiver Phillip Dorsett, tight end Clive Walford and offensive lineman Ereck Flowers.
However, Miami will return their starting quarterback Brad Kaaya for his sophomore season. Kaaya made his starting debut as a true freshman in last season’s opening game at Louisville. He ended the year as the ACC Rookie of the Year after completing 221 of 378 passes for 3,198 yards and 26 touchdowns. Kaaya set true freshman records at Miami.
“It’s hard to be a freshman quarterback that’s also a leader,” said Golden. “I think he’ll make exceptional progress as a leader, not just of the offense, but one of the leaders of our team.”
Although Miami should have a solid quarterback, many questions surround the remainder of the offense. Johnson is the leading rusher in Miami’s entire history, and he also caught the second highest amount of passes last season.
Taking over Johnson’s position in the backfield will be junior Gus Edwards and sophomore Joe Yearby. In his freshman debut, Yearby rushed for 509 yards on 86 carries, while Edwards gained 349 yards and six touchdowns on 61 carries.
Competing alongside them will be sophomore Trayone Gray, junior Walter Tucker, and incoming freshman Mark Walton.
“We’re very excited about Gus and Joe, and Trayone Gray is very talented,” said Golden. “I’m anxious to see how it plays out. I’m happy with the direction that group’s going, but, obviously, they have a great challenge, and hopefully they have something to prove here.”
At receiver, Miami lost a playmaker in Dorsett who caught 36 passes for 871 yards and 10 scores last season, and it will suffer from the loss of Walford at tight end as well. However, Miami still has junior receiver Stacy Coley who was named a Freshman All-American after catching 33 passes for 591 yards and seven touchdowns in 2013.
The Hurricanes also have sophomore Braxton Berrios who caught 21 passes for 233 yards and three touchdowns as a true freshman last season.
Perhaps the biggest concern for the 2015 offense though is the inexperienced offensive line. The unit lost three of its starters for next season, and the most experienced lineman, junior guard Danny Isidora, has 13 career starts. Sophomore center Nick Linder will also return after starting in four games last season, but right tackle Taylor Gadbois will not return after being dismissed from the team in June.
The Hurricanes have bodies to fill the rest of the line, but the lack of experience may hinder their offensive success.
“I’m excited about that group,” said Golden. “I think they’re going to have a great identity.”
Defensively, Miami ranked 14th in the nation for total defense in 2014, but that same unit was also responsible for allowing over 300 rushing yards in two key games. The Hurricanes will also have to replace most of their front seven after losing players like middle linebacker Denzel Perryman and defensive lineman Anthony Chickillo.
The defensive line will gain back Jelani Hamilton and Earl Moore after they both redshirted their third season. Their return will add experience to the line that consists of some younger players like sophomore linemen Al-Quadin Muhammad and Trent Harris.
“Getting Hamilton and Earl Moore back off a redshirt year is going to help tremendously,” said Golden. “I’m excited about the front seven. I’m excited about the depth on the defensive line.”
The Hurricanes have less depth at linebacker, but they do have junior Jeramine Grace and Senior Raphael Kirby. The two combined for 114 tackles and 11 tackles for loss last season. Golden also moved former senior defensive end Tyriq McCord to outside linebacker to help with the depth.
In the secondary, few questions are left unanswered, and the unit has the potential to be the strength of the 2015 defense. The Hurricanes return senior safety Deon Bush and junior corners Corn Elder and Artie Burns for next season alongside senior corner Tracy Howard. Senior cornerback Antonio Crawford decided to transfer in the off-season, but Miami’s secondary shouldn’t suffer too much from his departure with the talent they have left.
Miami will take on Clemson for the first time since 2010, and they will host the Tigers on Oct. 24 in Sun Life Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. In the nine times that the two teams have played each other, the Tigers have recorded three wins including an Orange Bowl victory in 1951.