Increased Speed Could Make Big Impact for Miami Hurricanes in 2017

Freshmen Mike Harley and Jeff Thomas have exceptional speed and explosive playmaking ability. Rosier discussed the player who he could be relying on a lot this season.

"“(Thomas) reminds me of a shiftier Phillip Dorsett…Whenever you see him run, he’s blowing by guys. There was one time this camp where he caught a quick pass, made two guys miss, headed down the sidelines and scored and you’re like, ‘Wow, that guy’s fast.’ It was a 55-yard touchdown run. Me and coach Richt were like: ‘This kid is going to be good.”"

Harley has just as many skills as Thomas and runs a 4.38 40-yard dash. Miami Hurricanes cornerbacks coach Mike Rumph said: “Harley is going to give the ACC headaches”.

The wide receiver core is largely unproven behind Richards. Braxton Berrios has 45 career receptions in three seasons.  He’s shifty and an adept punt returner but will be taking on a much bigger role at wide receiver this season.

The combination of Berrios, Harley, Richards, and Thomas plus a bevy of other returning candidates at receiver should give Miami the ability to break just about any pass play to the house.

Rosier told the Herald he is excited about the possibility to turn “short slants and short balls” into long gains. That should bring back the memories of the bubble screens the Dennis Erickson led Hurricanes ran in the late eighties and early nineties.