Who will be the Miami football team’s most explosive player in 2018?
One of the biggest things Mark Richt has done with his three recruiting classes with the Miami football program is to upgrade the talent at the skill positions. The Hurricanes now have a lot of depth and explosiveness on both sides of the football.
Making the big play has always been a part of the success the Miami football program has had. The turnover chain, the nation’s leaders in getting to the quarterback and fourth best in getting into opponents backfields meant a lot of explosiveness from the Miami defense last season.
Before suffering through injuries last season, Miami wide receiver Ahmmon Richards was one the country’s most explosive players. Richards 966 yards receiving yards in 2016 set a Miami football Freshmen record and led the nation’s Freshmen. He also led all Freshmen nationally with 19.06 yards per reception in 2016.
Jeff Thomas did not have nearly the impact in 2017 that Richards did in 2016. He was often just as explosive when given the chance. Thomas finished his Freshman season with 17 receptions for 374 yards and two touchdowns. His 22 yards per catch eclipsed Richards Freshman average a season earlier.
Miami was built on big plays last season. The Hurricanes finished 29th in the country in passing plays that went over 20, 30 and 40 yards. Miami also finished in the top 25 in plays from scrimmage that went over 20 and 30 yards each.
Miami didn’t get nearly as many big plays from their running game last season. Travis Homer had nine runs of 15 yards or more, but only two of those went for over 25 yards. Neither of his runs over 25 yards came in the first half and Homer only had two runs of over 15 yards in the second half.
Freshman Lorenzo Lingard should help that this season. He ran track in high school and possesses breakaway speed.
Dallas based recruiting analyst Daniel Gould spoke to former Miami Hurricanes beat writer Matt Porter of the Palm Beach Post in March about Lingard’s future. He expects Lingard to be an immediate impact player and future All-American.
"“Good height at 6-0 with a build to get to 215 while keeping his elite speed…Very elusive on the second level and in the open field…Elite prospect who has all the tools to be a superstar running back at the next level.”"
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Homer’s backup last season was Rising Sophomore DeeJay Dallas. Dallas was explosive no matter where he played on the field. The Georgia native began his Freshman season at wide receiver. He switched to running back after Walton’s injury.
Dallas was an option quarterback in high school and Miami’s designated QB in the Wildcat offense. He ran for 217 yards, averaging 5.3 yards per carry. Dallas also eclipsed Thomas’ 22 yards per catch with four receptions for 92 yards and a 23 yards per reception average.
On the defensive side of the ball almost the entire defensive is capable of making an explosive play. Safety Jaquan Johnson and cornerback Trajan Bandy both had memorable pick-sixes in 2018.
Jonathan Garvin had a strip sack against both Virginia Tech and Notre Dame. Garvin’s linemate at defensive end Joe Jackson is capable of doing the same.
Any of the Hurricanes returning stars in the secondary and at linebacker are can make an explosive play to bring out the chain and tip the momentum to the Miami football team. It’s more difficult to pick one explosive player on the Miami defense than the offense.
The most explosive player on the Miami football team as we are less than two months away from the season has to be Ahmmon Richards. Richards proved his ability to be explosive two seasons ago as a Freshman. He also proved he can make explosive plays was healthy last season.
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In Miami’s 31-6 victory at Duke last season, Richards had three receptions for 106 yards and a touchdown. If he can stay healthy in 2018, he should be able to eclipse the numbers he put up in 2016.