Did Miami Football get snubbed by ESPN and Sports Illustrated?

After previously being high on the Miami football team and players earlier in the preseason did ESPN and Sports Illustrated snub the Hurricanes? ESPN was high on the Hurricanes team but seemingly not their players. SI was high on the Miami players but not the team.

ESPN ranked the Miami football team eighth in the country. Shaq Quarterman is the only Miami football player ESPN ranked in the top 50 players nationally and he’s 48th. Sports Illustrated has three Miami players in the top 70, two in the top 15 and ranks the Hurricanes 13th nationally. Most national media outlets have the U in the top 10.

ESPN has been fairly high on the forecast for the Hurricanes for 2018. It was surprising if not nearly shocking to see Quarterman as the only player from Miami in ESPN’s top 50. Jaquan Johnson and Michael Jackson were both selected as first-team preseason Americans by UPI. Quarterman earned a spot on their second-team.

Miami defensive end Joe Jackson, wide receiver Ahmmon Richards and linebacker Michael Pinckney are all other players that have received high praise heading into 2018.

A lot can change in a few months, but the Sporting News posted a composite top 25 that included their own rankings and those from ESPN, CBS Sports, USA Today and Athlon. At the time the Sporting News was the only one of the five sites not to have Miami in the top 10. The Miami football team was eighth in the composite.

ESPN and Sports Illustrated have crossed signals. The Mothership is high on the Hurricanes as a team but seems to think the whole is greater than the sum of their parts.

Sports Illustrated ranked Jaquan Johnson as the nation’s eighth-best player and best safety. Shaq Quarterman was the 14th best player nationally and the best linebacker. Miami Defensive end Joe Jackson was the 67th best player and eighth best at his position.

In the ESPN rankings of the 50 best players, Quarterman was ranked as the nation’s fourth-best linebacker. Not one safety made ESPN’s top 50 players in the country. Only two cornerbacks were named. Miami will play against both of them in 2018. Florida State Levonta Taylor is 34th and LSU’s Greedy Williams 37th.

The Hurricanes will face two stout defenders when they play the Tigers next month. LSU linebacker Devin White is 27th on ESPN’s list.

"“48. SHAQ QUARTERMANLB, MiamiClass: JuniorKey stat: Mel Kiper Jr.’s No. 2 underclass ILB“Quarterman has started every game he has played at Miami (26). Going into his junior season, he has the potential for an All-America-type season. The heart of the Hurricanes’ defense, Quarterman had 83 tackles a year ago and picked up the most votes among linebackers on the preseason All-ACC team.”"

ESPN has the Miami football team eighth in their preseason rankings. ESPN’s Football Power Index projects the Hurricanes to be favored in every game they play this season. Sports Illustrated has Miami 13th in their preseason rankings for 2018.

Sports Illustrated is concerned about the Miami defense faltering near the end of last season. That is a departure from other major media outlets that have been more concerned about Malik Rosier’s inconsistencies at quarterback and the play of the Miami offensive line.

"“13. MIAMI HURRICANESLast year: 10–3 (7–1 ACC); Lost to Wisconsin in Orange BowlSI Top 100 players: Three: S Jaquan Johnson (No. 8), LB Shaquille Quarterman (No. 14), DE Joe Jackson (No. 67)X-Factor: During the Canes’ 10–0 start last season, their gold Turnover Chain—worn on the sideline by a player who created a turnover—became college football’s biggest fashion statement. But the defense faltered over the final four games, allowing 124 points and intercepting just one pass.All‑ACC linebackers Shaquille Quarterman and Michael Pinckney will try to revive the D’s playmaking mojo, but the biggest boost will come from tackle Gerald Willis III, who took last year off for personal issues.A former five-star recruit who transferred from Florida after his freshman year, Willis is a difference maker who will help the D become fearsome again. — Ross Dellenger”"

Because multiple media outlets are making projections based on how 18-22 year men will perform it’s difficult to know how the season will play out. We have a good idea which teams will contend for the playoff, but there are always a few surprises.

The projections are not based on any bias for or against the Miami football program or for or against anyone else. Remember both ESPN and Sports Illustrated had articles and rankings for the Hurricanes both for and against what the average is for 2018.