How many Miami football players can earn All-ACC in 2018
Mark Richt’s first three recruiting classes for the Miami football team has significantly upgraded the Hurricanes talent. How many of those players can compete to be all-conference in the ACC in 2018?
Ten Miami football players earned All-ACC in 2017. Four of those players return for the 2018 season. Rising Juniors, Running back Travis Homer and linebacker Shaq Quarterman and rising Seniors, safety Jaquan Johnson and cornerback Michael Jackson are the all-conference returnees for the Hurricanes in 2018.
Another four players earned honorable mention All-ACC in 2017. Center Tyler Gauthier and guard Navaughn Donaldson return among those players. Which of those six players can earn a spot on the All-Conference team in 2018? Can someone else surprise and step-up to earn a spot?
Braxton Berrios was a surprise in 2017 by being named third-team All-ACC. He exceeded his career totals last season. Berrios led the Miami football team in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns in 2017.
Homer was also a surprise. He was second-team All-ACC despite not starting until the fifth game of the season. He finished the season with 966 yards rushing, 1,185 total yards and nine touchdowns.
Homer will not have to carry the load on the ground as much as he did last season. DeeJay Dallas was switched to running back after the Hurricanes lost Mark Walton for the season. Homer and Dallas were the only effective running backs that Miami had. Quarterback Malik Rosier pitched in in the running game.
This season Miami adds five-star running back Lorenzo Lingard and four-star Camron Davis. That gives the Hurricanes a lot more depth. Homer’s numbers might not be as high, but he might be more efficient.
A lot is expected from the linebacking core. Quarterman, Michael Pinckney and Zach McCloud are back for their third season starting as a unit. Johnson and Jackson will anchor the secondary with fellow Senior Sheldrick Redwine. Donaldson and Gauthier will do the same on the offensive line with Senior left tackle Tyree St. Louis.
Donaldson will try to duplicate his all-conference and Freshmen All-America season with a move from right guard to right tackle. St. Louis moved from right tackle to left tackle.
Athlon released its preseason all-conference team for 2018 earlier this week. The Hurricanes finished in a four-way tie for fifth in the ACC with eight players selected.
Athlon’s criteria for selecting the team was:
"“Based on how players will perform in 2018. Career statistics and awards matter in the evaluation, but choosing players for the 2018 all-conference team is largely based on predicting and projecting the best for the upcoming year”"
Wide receiver Ahmmon Richards who had a down season in 2017 dealing with injuries was the only Miami football player on offense to be named to Athlon’s first team. Quarterman and Johnson were also on the first team.
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Donaldson, Joe Jackson, Pinckney and Michael Jackson were named to the second team. Homer was the only Hurricane named to the ACC third team. No Hurricanes made Athlon’s fourth team.
The breakdown for Miami was three offensive players on the All-ACC team and five on defense.
The biggest omission from Miami was defensive tackle, Gerald Willis. Athlon mentioned Willis’ potential for a breakout season on their preview of Miami.
"“All signs point to a breakout season for defensive tackle Gerald Willis, who sat out last year to address personal issues. He was a “terror” on scout team, Richt says.”"
Other players that could breakthrough for the Hurricanes in 2018 include Freshman tight end Brevin Jordan and rising Sophomores, wide receiver Jeff Thomas and cornerback Trajan Bandy. Jordan has the inside track to start at tight end. Thomas and Bandy were both playmakers on each side of the ball in 2017.
Next: Linebacking core will make Miami football defense special in 2018
Thomas should start at wide receiver. Bandy is battling with Jhavonte Dean for the second starting corner behind Jackson.