Who is the Player to Watch on Each of Miami Hurricanes 2017 Opponents?

MIAMI GARDENS, FL - OCTOBER 08: Miami Hurricanes head coach Mark Richt tries to calm the fans after throwing debris on the field during a game against the Florida State Seminoles at Hard Rock Stadium on October 8, 2016 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
MIAMI GARDENS, FL - OCTOBER 08: Miami Hurricanes head coach Mark Richt tries to calm the fans after throwing debris on the field during a game against the Florida State Seminoles at Hard Rock Stadium on October 8, 2016 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LA – DECEMBER 19: Kenneth Dixon /

At Arkansas State September 9

Miami will not have the challenge of facing one of the nation’s best pass rushers. Hurricane Irma forced the cancellation of Miami’s game at Arkansas State. Here are what some os the challenges could have been against the Red Wolves.

Ja’Von Rolland-Jones DE is one of the best players in the country you have never heard of. He is ranked in the top 100 on several different sites.

Rolland-Jones led Arkansas State last season with 19.5 tackles (per college football reference) for loss and 13.5 sacks. He tied for eighth in the country in TFL’s and fifth in sacks.

Sports Illustrated ranks Rolland-Jones the 95th best player in the country. Their profile of him says:

"“The top pass rusher in the Group of Five, Rolland-Jones was impossible to contain last season. He finished the year with 13.5 sacks, fifth most in the FBS and most in the Group of Five, and 21.5 tackles for loss, good enough to make him the first defensive player to win the Sun Belt’s player of the year honors since 2003. The scariest thing for opposing offenses this season? Rolland-Jones compiled those stats despite beginning the year as a second-stringer. Now with his spot as an every-down player solidified, Rolland-Jones has an opportunity to post even bigger numbers in his senior year and improve his draft stock.”"

Bleacher Report is even higher on him ranking his as their 68th best player:

"Ja’Von Rolland-Jones amassed 21 tackles for loss and 13 sacks last year. Transition on the defensive front may result in a production drop, but he’s a premier Group of Five player. Rolland-Jones will have a chance to stand out on the national stage when Arkansas State travels to Nebraska and hosts Miami in early September."

Rolland-Jones struggled some against their only Power Five Conference opponent in 2016. He finished with three tackles, one tackle for loss and a sack in a 51-14 loss to Auburn.

Rolland-Jones is projected as an outside linebacker in the NFL. NFL Draft Scout has him projected as the sixth best player at his position for the 2018 NFL Draft.