Miami Hurricanes Football Five Biggest Concerns for 2017

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Sep 3, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes defensive back Romeo Finley (30) and defensive back Jaquan Johnson (4) bring down Florida A&M Rattlers wide receiver Kareem Smith (19) during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. The Miami Hurricanes defeat the Florida A&M Rattlers 70-3. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /

Rebuilding the secondary:

Miami lost three players from their 2016 secondary to the 2016 NFL Draft. They also lost safety Jamal Carter who went undrafted but led the Hurricanes in tackles in 2016.

The only full-time starter returning in the secondary from 2016 is safety Jaquan Johnson. Johnson is Miami’s leading returning tackler in the secondary. He finished the 2016 season with 38 tackles, three tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and an interception.

The Hurricanes did a great job in the offseason restocking the secondary. They don’t have the problems with lack of depth in the secondary that they do at tight end and running back.

Richt and Manny Diaz were able to add two experienced cornerbacks that are likely to start this season. Dee Delaney is a Senior graduate transfer from the Citadel. Junior College transfer Jhavonte Dean is coming in from Blinn College in Texas. He chose Miami over Alabama and some other schools.

Miami also added freshman corner Trajan Bandy and freshman safety Amari Carter. Sophomore Safety Romeo Finley is likely to start and sophomore corner Malek Young adds depth and big play ability. Their classmate Robert Knowles adds depth behind Johnson.

The rebuilt secondary will have the luxury of playing behind one of the best front sevens in college football. Secondary coaches Mike Rumph and Ephraim Banda should be able to get a good year out of a talented secondary. It might take a couple of games to get the chemistry down.

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