Miami football depth chart vs LSU mostly as expected
Both the first and second team defensive backs are as predicted. Seniors Jaquan Johnson and Sheldrick Redwine are the starting safeties and Michael Jackson is at one cornerback. Sophomore Trajan Bandy is the other cornerback.
Backing them up are Sophomore Amari Carter and Redshirt Junior Robert Knowles at safety. Cornerbacks Coach Ephraim Banda told the Miami Herald earlier this week that Knowles currently has the edge over Carter.
LSUDepth Chart by Anonymous S4PLYUx0 on Scribd
Senior Jhavonte Dean is the third cornerback. Bandy will move inside to the slot and Dean will take his place outside when the Hurricanes go into the nickel defense. Dean will be able to contend with the bigger receivers on the outside better at 6’2. Bandy is 5’9.
The Hurricanes specialists are young. Sophomore Zach Feagles is the punter and Freshman Bubba Baxa the kicker. A definitive decision has not been made on the punt or kickoff returners.
Thomas or Sophomore running back DeeJay Dallas who is behind Homer as the second-team running back will return punts. One of the previously mentioned three of Thomas, Dallas or Homer will be on kickoff returns.
It would be hard to imagine that Homer who was a special teams ace before becoming the starting running back last season would be used on kickoff returns. Sophomore receiver Mike Harley who has exceptional speed could also be used as a kickoff returns.
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Business school valedictorian Braxton Berrios averaged 15.9 yards per punt return in 2017. Thomas led the team in kickoff returns last season averaging 21.6 yards on 32 returns.