The Miami Hurricanes are expected once again to be one of the better teams in college football this year. They were last year, and they're expected to be a contender in the ACC and College Football Playoff again, perhaps making it this time rather than narrowly missing out. There is one thing that could slow them down, though. It's not quarterback, however.
Cam Ward is gone to the NFL, leaving behind a pretty large hole. He was the number one overall pick, so replacing him won't be easy. Fortunately, Carson Beck is no scrub himself, as he transfers in with a pretty solid resume. That won't be what derails the Hurricanes, ESPN insider Andrea Adelson claims.
"The Hurricanes did another fantastic job shoring up positions across the roster in the transfer portal, especially considering how much turnover they had from last season. But if there is one position that still has some questions, it is linebacker, mainly because depth may become an issue as the season wears on," Adelson said.
The Hurricanes are getting back veterans Wesley Bissainthe, Jaylin Alderman and Popo Aguirre, and they brought in NC State transfer Kamal Bonner and Rutgers transfer Mo Toure. "Miami often looked slow and out of position at linebacker last season, but the new scheme from defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman should help," Adelson added. "The player to keep an eye on here is Toure, whom Hetherman coached while he was at Rutgers. Toure is coming off a knee injury (his second torn ACL in three years), but his potential to fit into this defense, considering his past with Hetherman, is huge."
Linebacker was an issue last year, and it figures to be one again this year. If they can't improve there with a few new players and some veterans with another year under their belts, then it will undoubtedly prevent them from reaching the heights a talented roster like this is capable of.