Who is most influential player on Miami football team?

The dog days of summer before college football training camp commences in August produce a seemingly infinite amount of lists. Which Miami football player is the Hurricanes most influential? That likely depends on your definition of influential.

A list of the most influential player from each top 25 team was written up by 247Sports.Com’s Sam Hellman.  Which Miami football deserves the honor of being the Hurricanes most influential and why.

That depends on your perspective. Is it the player that the Miami football team can least afford to lose? Their best player. How do we determine that? The eye test? Using metrics? The player that has the biggest impact on the Miami football team? Is that player on offense, defense or special teams?

Among the players that Hellman chose are LSU quarterback Joe Burrow, Florida State running back Cam Akers and Virginia Tech defensive lineman Ricky Walker. Hellman chose 14 quarterback on his list among the top 25 teams.

Walker summarized how he partially reached his rankings.

"“The quarterback that grabs the attention and respect of the locker room. Many teams look to academic leaders, top skill players or guys with a nose for highlight plays. There is a reason quarterbacks cash in most in the NFL, because they are the most influential position on the football field.”"

There are many players on the Miami football team who could be deemed the most influential. Jaquan Johnson is the only returning captain on the Miami football team in 2018. Wide receiver Braxton Berrios, defensive lineman Chad Thomas and Kicker Michael Badgley graduated. Johnson was also the team MVP in 2017.

Johnson had a big impact on the Miami defense last season. He led the Hurricanes in all three tackle categories. He finished 2017 with 54 solo tackles, 42 assists and 96 total.

Johnson also tied for the team lead with four interceptions and two fumble recoveries. His pick-six against Virginia in the second half helped bring Miami back from a 14 point deficit.

Nearly as impactful as Johnson was middle linebacker, Shaq Quarterman. Quarterman finished second on Miami in tackles for the second consecutive season. He was second to Johnson in all three categories. Johnson finished with 43 solo tackles, 40 assists and 83 total.

Quarterman also added seven tackles for loss and five passes defended. He enters his Junior season as a third-year starter.

On offense, the Hurricanes would not have had nearly as successful of a season in 2017 with Travis Homer stepping up after starting running back Mark Walton was lost with the season with an ankle injury.

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Despite not starting until the fifth game of the season, Homer finished with 966 yards rushing and eight touchdowns. He added another 219 receiving yards on 18 receptions and another touchdown. Homer enters 2018 as one of the most important players on the Miami football team.

When it came to choosing the Hurricanes most influential player, Hellman didn’t deviate from his norm. He chose quarterback Malik Rosier. Rosier had a huge influence on the Miami football team in 2017. There is no reason to think that will change in 2018.

Rosier has been Miami’s first true dual-threat quarterback. Rosier finished with 3,210 yards passing, 26 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. He added 468 yards rushing and another five touchdowns. The 31 touchdowns he was accountable for set a Miami football record.

"“Until someone else takes the job, and many will try, Malik Rosier deserves the influence he gained after leading Miami to a 10-win season. Rosier certainly tanked at the end of the season with three touchdowns, five picks and a sub-50 percent passing clip in three straight losses.But Miami does not climb as high as No. 2 in the country without 2,620 passing yards and 23 touchdowns during the U’s 10-0 start to the season.”"

Rosier struggled with inconsistency last season but was unquestionably the best quarterback on the Hurricanes roster. With his experience and success last season, Rosier should be the best option this year as well. Backup quarterbacks Jarren Williams and N’Kosi Perry still have to gain a better grasp of the offense.

Next: Miami football wins games they are expected to on the road

Rosier will have to improve his completion percentage and cut down on his interceptions this season. If he can do both of those Miami can improve from a 2017 season that set program milestones for both Rosier and the football team.