The Miami football program will be led by their super seniors in 2021. Players in their fifth, sixth and seventh seasons of college football will be critical to the Hurricanes’ success in 2021. Quarterback D’Eriq King returning to Miami for his second season and his sixth overall of college football has impacted the Hurricanes.
The decision by King to return to Miami had an impact throughout the program. Wide receiver Mike Harley said his decision to return for a fifth season was directly impacted by King returning. Several other Miami football players are taking advantage of the extra season granted by the NCAA because of COVID-19.
Defensive end Zach McCloud was moved late last season from linebacker and is entering his sixth season with Miami, defensive tackle Jon Ford and Amari Carter their fifth and offensive tackle Jarrid Williams is about to start his seventh season of college football and second with Miami after following King from Houston.
The list of super seniors for Miami are the players who are taking advantage of a fifth season of eligibility and do not count players who entering their fourth season of playing with the Hurricanes but a fifth season in the program. King, Harley, McCloud, Ford and Carter will all be major contributors for Miami in 2021.
King will lead a Miami offense in their second season under offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee. The impact King has had on and off the field is the greatest on the Miami football program since maybe legendary safety and current chief of staff Ed Reed. King is the most dynamic QB in Miami history.
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Harley had a breakout season in 2020 and particularly in the second half of the season. Over the final six games of last season, Harley had 40 receptions for 625 yards and six touchdowns. Harley will lead a Miami WR corps that adds Oklahoma transfer Charleston Rambo and needs someone else to produce consistently in 2021.
Carter could also be switching positions in 2021. During the spring, Carter frequently played striker. Miami returns Gilbert Frierson who was the starting striker in 2020. The Hurricanes will be deep at safety and striker in 2021. Ford will share the rotation at DT with returnees Jared Harrison-Hunte and Nesta Jade Silvera.
Incoming freshman Leonard Taylor who will arrive this summer should challenge for snaps at DT with returnees on the defensive interior. Williams is expected to compete with D.J. Scaife to be the starting RT. Williams started 10 of the 11 Miami games in 2020. The super seniors will most importantly provide leadership on and off the field.