Miami Dismisses Two Best Defensive Players
Susan Miller Degnan of the Miami Herald is reporting that the University of Miami has dismissed arguably its two best defensive players. Senior linebacker Jermaine Grace and redshirt junior defensive end Al-Quadin Muhammad were dismissed following a rental car scandal with South Beach Exotic Rentals.
Grace was the team leader with 79 tackles last season and Muhammad led the team with five sacks and eight and a half tackles for loss. The athletic department’s official release is being reported by the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson. The release said:
“The University of Miami announced today that redshirt junior Al-Quadin Muhammad and senior Jermaine Grace have been permanently dismissed from the Hurricanes football program for violating NCAA rules. The University will, however, continue their financial aid through graduation. The decision was made in consultation with outside counsel and after discussions with the NCAA enforcement staff. As no staff members or boosters were involved in the violations, the program will not be subject to sanctions and, at this time, the University deems this matter closed.”
Jackson is also reporting that Grace and Muhammad were not honest with the University about their involvement “about their wrongdoings or interactions with South Beach Exotic Car Rentals” Muhammad has had two prior suspensions in his career at the U. He missed the entire 2014 season because of his involvement in an off-campus fight and was suspended for last year’s season opener for a “team rules violation:.
Grace and Muhammad were expected to lead a rebuilt defense under new defensive coordinator Manny Diaz. The defense lost potential starting linebacker, Juwon Young, earlier this summer as part of the scandal with SoBe Exotic Rental Cards. Young was suspended in June and it was revealed on Monday that Young had transferred to Marshall. Grace, Young, and Muhammad were the three leading tacklers last season. Young joins former UM receiver Tye Brady at Marshall.
The three defensive stars, plus the ‘Canes best receiver Senior Stacy Coley have been indicated to have been involved with benefits received from South Beach ExoticCar Rentals. Coley is the ‘Canes leading returning receiver. Multiple reports mentioned that Coley is not likely to be suspended, nor will the ‘Canes receive any sanctions for the incident.
UM says program will not be subject to NCAA sanctions, matter closed. Stacy Coley, who had been investigated, not mentioned in UM release.
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) August 27, 2016
Yahoo sports reported via the Herald last week that ” players may have “used cars” from South Beach Exotic Rentals, a luxury car agency, “in exchange for future promises” Andrea Adelson of ESPN reported.
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Muhammad’s dismissal leaves Miami without a fourth defensive end. Jackson said “That (the) fourth defensive end role likely will be filled by freshmen Pat Bethel or Joseph Jackson. Scott Patchan continues to recover from a torn ACL.”
Jackson also quoted Diaz who said:
"“Our mentality is we’re getting all those guys ready to play,” Diaz said on Friday of the fourth defensive end job. “As far as Pat and Joe, we are getting them game ready. They’ve got to get in, got to get snaps. Both those guys have flashed. Both have skills in terms of against the run and the pass…. Will the moment be too big for them? That’s the hard part for freshmen.”"
This is the latest of a string of scandals involving UM. In addition to “Cargate”, past scandals have included Luther Campbell and 2LiveCrew in the early 1990’s, the Pell Grant and Nevin Shapiro scandals in the early 2000’s and a few others. Mark Richt should bring stability not seen since Butch Davis was hired away from the Dallas Cowboys in 1994. Richt is the first hire from a Power Five conference who was previously a head coach since Dennis Erickson was hired after Jimmy Johnson left for Dallas following the 1987 season.
Next: Miami Hurricanes Defensive Preview 2016
Richt was able to keep the scandals at Georgia to a minimum. He was cited for giving his assistant coaches income beyond their salary and there was an autographgate with Todd Gurley. As a former UM alum and with a fairly clean image during his tenure at Georgia, RIchtis the perfect hire to minimize the scandals in South Florida. There are far more distrations and infulence of money and impropriety swirling around Miami than every other school with the possible exception of USC.