Miami Hurricanes Football Preview: Cornerbacks

The cornerback position was a solid one for the Miami Hurricanes last season. Despite having a solid season, however, the group struggled to make big plays for the Canes last season.

Ladarius Gunter was a starter for the Hurricanes last season and he’s currently with the Green Bay Packers. Antonio Crawford also decided to leave the program during spring football. Luckily for Miami, the team returns pretty much everyone else and is expected to be even better than they were last season.

With that being said, let’s take a look at the cornerbacks for the Canes this season.

Artie Burns – Junior – 6’0 193 lbs

Artie Burns is probably the best cornerback on the roster for the Hurricanes this season. Burns matched up with most of the best receivers last season and held his own in a breakout sophomore season. Now, with Gunter in the NFL, the coaches will expect even more from Burns this upcoming season.

Burns failed to catch an interception last season and that’s definitely one area that Burns will have to try and improve. I get that the way the corners are played in the scheme limit those opportunities, but I think Burns shows improvement in this area this season and comes away with a couple interceptions.

Tracy Howard – Senior – 5’11 191 lbs

After a great sophomore season, Tracy Howard took a step backwards last season. Howard only started one game last season and was overtaken by Artie Burns from the opener. After starting 12 games as a sophomore and recording four interceptions, Howard will look to find that form during camp to catapult him to a successful senior season.

With Gunter gone, the Canes will look for someone to step up to team up with Burns in the secondary and Howard will be the first person in line to earn that job.

Terrance Henley – Freshman – 6’0 170 lbs

Terrance Henley was a late addition to the 2015 class after Antonio Crawford decided to leave the team during spring. Henley is a bit of an unknown coming from Blanche Ely high school and he’s definitely a project.

Henley will be a chance to get reps during fall camp, but he’s probably headed for a redshirt season.

Sheldrick Redwine – Freshman – 6’1 183 lbs

Sheldrick Redwine is a long corner that the Hurricanes were able to steal away from Louisville on National Signing Day. Redwine comes from Killian High School in Miami, which is also the school that freshman safety Jaquan Johnson comes from.

Redwine is one of those fringe players during camp. If he shows he can play and stand tall with the tall, strong receivers, then he’ll get opportunities to play next season. If he proves otherwise, he’s one of those guys that could benefit from a redshirt. I still think Redwine finds his way to the field this season, even if it’s on special teams, but we’ll see.

Ryan Mayes – Redshirt Freshman – 6’1 203 lbs

Ryan Mayes is one of the players that a lot of people want to see if he has improved over the last year. Mayes didn’t get much action last season, but he’s a guy that the coaches like because of his size and length.

Mayes will look to stand out in camp, but even if he doesn’t, he’ll play a role in special teams for the Hurricanes this season.

Michael Jackson – Freshman – 6’2 192 lbs

Michael Jackson is another intriguing prospect heading into fall camp. All early reports say that the coaches love him and that the Hurricanes might’ve gotten a steal with him. Jackson was rated a three-star out of Alabama and was an unknown for most of his recruiting, up until Clemson offered in December.

Jackson has a chance to play as a freshman and he’s one of the guys I’ll be looking at closely during camp, which starts this Thursday.

Corn Elder – Junior – 5’10 183 lbs

Corn Elder is one of the keys to Miami secondary this season. Elder took a big step forward last season and always seemed to make a nice play, recording 34 tackles last season. Elder only started one game in 2014 but that’s going to chance after the departure of Antonio Crawford.

After dropping basketball and focusing just on football last season, Elder took a step forward as a rotational player but now Miami is going to need him to take the next step and become their go-to nickel cornerback.

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