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Should we be Concerned no Miami Hurricanes on NFLPA Rising 50?

By Alan Rubenstein

Jan 14, 2017; Foxborough, MA, USA; Houston Texans running back Lamar Miller (26) runs the ball against the New England Patriots in the first half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 14, 2017; Foxborough, MA, USA; Houston Texans running back Lamar Miller (26) runs the ball against the New England Patriots in the first half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /
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The football off-season brings lots of lists. The latest one is the NFLPA rising 50. The Miami Hurricanes did not land one player on the list.

The Al Golden era was anything but a Golden era for the Miami Hurricanes. A week after having two players named to Pro Football Focus’ Top 100, no Hurricanes were named to the NFL Players Association Rising 50.

The annual list according to the NFLPA is “Identifies players poised to break out and rank among next season’s top-sellers of all officially licensed merchandise – and ultimately become the NFLPA’s next retail kings”

The press release also explained how the arrive at the top 50 players:

"“The ranking was developed by evaluating on-field performances during the 2016 season, fantasy football popularity, early demand from NFLPA sponsors and licensees, as well as new faces in strong markets. To be considered for inclusion, players must not have appeared in any previous quarterly or year-end list of the NFLPA Top 50 Player Sales.”"

Former Hurricanes stars Calais Campbell and Greg Olsen appeared on the Pro Football Focus list of the 100 best players in the NFL. The NFLPA also recently released a list of the top 50 jersey sales recently. No Hurricanes made that list either.

Campbell played at Miami from 2005-07. He was recruited by Larry Coker. Campbell played his final season under Randy Shannon. Olsen and Campbell’s collegiate careers overlapped by two seasons. Olsen played at the U from 2004-06.

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    • There are some young Miami Hurricanes in the NFL worth watching. Duke Johnson is a multi-purpose running back in an offense devoid of stars. The Cleveland Browns finished 31st in scoring and 30th in yards last season.

    Johnson finished with 872 total yards last season. He had 352 rushing yards and 53 receptions for 514 yards. In two NFL seasons, Johnson has 114 receptions for 1048 yards.

    Artie Burns was drafted in the first round at cornerback by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2016. As a rookie, he had three interceptions, 13 passes defended and 61 tackles.

    Erick Flowers has started all 31 games he has played in during his two-year NFL Career. He was selected ninth overall in the 2015 draft. Early in his career he playing one of the most important positions in football, left tackle. Flowers is doing it protecting two-time Superbowl Most Valuable Player Eli Manning.

    The most surprising Hurricanes omission from this list is running back Lamar Miller of the Houston Texans. Miller has been one of the NFL’s most productive backs over the last four seasons.

    Two of the last three years, Miller has rushed for over 1,000 yards. Miller helped lead the Texans to the playoffs last year.

    He ran for 147 yards on 50 carries in two games in the postseason. He carried the Texans offense to victory with 31 carries in their 27-14 first round victory over the Raiders.

    Next: Five Miami Hurricanes Football Players to Watch in 2017

    As Mark Richt continues to build the talent at Miami, in the coming years we should see some Hurricanes make this list routinely.

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