Miami Hurricanes Football: Next Man Up At Linebacker

Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

The Miami Hurricanes suffered a huge loss after team captain and senior defensive leader, Raphael Kirby suffered a season-ending knee injury against Virginia Tech (Click Here to read about Kirby’s injury).

This comes as a bigger blow after already losing starting linebacker Darrion Owens for the year (also, a knee injury) and the uncertainty of linebacker Marques Gayot who suffered a scary neck injury during practice in late September.

The Hurricanes are thin at linebacker. Nonetheless, the defense must find a way to stick together, especially that they’re in the midst of conference play and facing off against the explosive, #6 ranked Clemson next Saturday.

“Never think as a backup cuz you’re one play away,” Clinton Portis said during a ‘Canes team meeting in 2013. “But when you’re called on, will you be ready to respond?”

And, that mindset is exactly what will be needed from Miami’s young linebackers moving forward.

The ‘Canes have already thrown in two sophomores on the defensive front, Chad Thomas and Al-Quandin Muhammad. And, they look like they’re not only handling the task, but will be the future of the Miami defense.

Now, will the mid-level of the Hurricanes be intact? Or yet alone, shine? This is a major concern as Miami has been getting throttled in the run game on defense.

So, let’s take a look at which players need to step up at the linebacker spot.

Next: Juwon Young