Two Miami football players named top 15, three in top 100 nationally

Jackson should be a part of a Miami group of edge rushers that will cause opposing offensive coordinators to have to keep in extra players to block. That can potentially cause another season of frequent appearances by the turnover chain.

Joe Jackson is likely to be the leader of the defensive ends for the Miami defense. Sports Illustrated is impressed by Joe Jackson bringing it on every down and his football IQ as a pass rusher.

"“In his first season as a full-time starter, Jackson led all Hurricanes D-linemen with 59 tackles. A relentless worker with great instincts off the edge, he finished with more sacks (6.5) than any other returning Cane. Defensive coordinator Manny Diaz has to know some sort of regression is coming for his group of turnover artists, but Jackson should be a reassuring constant as a backfield disruptor.”"

Miami is more than Johnson, Joe Jackson and Quarterman on their defense. Pinckney and Michael Jackson could become first round picks in the NFL Draft. They also have a chance to be named All-ACC and even All-Americans. After last season the Hurricanes defense is definitely back to where it was during the glory years.

This year could be a pivotal one for the Hurricanes. Depending if any Juniors leave it would be the first players that only played under Richt at Miami to leave for the NFL. It’s also a year the Hurricanes should challenge for a second straight Coastal Division title.

With the recruiting classes Richt continues to bring into Miami, challenging for a division title should be a yearly occurrence. Challenging for a spot in the college football playoff should also happen more often than not.

Next: Can Miami football reach ten wins during 2018 season?

Players like Johnson, Joe Jackson and Quarterman have helped lead the Miami resurgence. They will always be remembered as helping restore Miami among the nation’s elite programs. They are the players that helped Richt bring in the players behind them. Miami’s Junior and Senior classes have helped get the Richt era off to a successful start.