Fourteen Miami Hurricanes alums participated in Pro Day on Wednesday at the Dolphins practice facility in Davie. It’s always bittersweet to see the great players move on. Several of the participants are high on the players who will succeed them at Miami.
Coming off their most successful season in 14 years and their best as members of the ACC the Miami Hurricanes lose several key players from the ACC Coastal Division Champions. The division title and appearance in the ACC Championship game was the first for the program in their 14 years in the ACC.
Miami has to replace four key players on the defensive line, their top two receivers, two starting offensive linemen, the school’s all-time leading scorer and a former all-conference running back. In spite of those losses, the departing players say that the future is bright with the Miami Hurricanes.
Defensive Tackle Kendrick Norton who earned honorable mention All-ACC in 2017 is high on two of his replacements, Jon Ford and Gerald Willis. Ford played a limited role as a reserve last season.
Head Coach Mark Richt has repeatedly said Willis who took the year off was dominant on the scout team. He is a former four-star recruit that played at Florida as a Freshman. Ford has been routinely praised for his size and the upside has always been there with Willis. Norton told the Miami Herald:
"“Is a huge kid. He’s a really big kid. He’s athletic for his size. He gets everything locked in, he can be another great one to come out of Miami. He has a lot of young guys who are going to surprise some people.”"
Cincy on the Prowl
"“(Willis) can be a great player. He is a great player. He has his head on right. I was just with him two days ago. He’s enjoying the new (Defensive Line) Coach and working hard. He’s got his weight back up. He’s 295, looks good for his weight. They are some big guys. They are looking good right now, even seeing them in some one on one drills.”"
Lorenzo Lingard is Miami’s first five-star recruit in a few years. He is expected to be the next great Hurricanes running back. Mark Walton who was an all-ACC performer in 2016 but missed most of 2017 with an injury had high praise for Lingard who will be a Freshman this fall.
"“He is going to be one hell of a player…Once he learns the offense, he is going to be a very special talent…His cutbacks finding an open lane…He’s got some vision.”"
Referring to his vision was what Walton thinks will make Lingard the special talent he is projected to be. Walton is also high on the depth of the Hurricanes backfield this fall.
He said that Lingard teaming with returning starter Travis Homer, Deejay Dallas and fellow Freshman Four-star back Camron Davis will give Miami a “four-headed monster in the backfield.”
Next: Mark Walton shows he's recovered from ankle injury on pro day
Mark Richt and his staff have done a great job improving the level of talent and depth at Miami. The Hurricanes three recruiting classes during the Richt era have improved from 22nd in 2016 to 12th in 2016 and eighth this year.