Top Five Players The Miami Hurricanes Can't Win Without In 2023
For the Miami Hurricanes to improve on their disastrous 5-7 record from last year, all 85 scholarship players (and maybe a few walk-ons) will need to be better.
A handful of team leaders and playmakers will have to spark that turnaround.
I believe the following five players, ranked in order, to be the most essential. I chose these players because I believe them to be the glue that can hold this team together. Each possess a skillset that can make the others around them better, too. If any of them have to miss significant time or generally underperform, the entire squad will suffer. On the flip side, if they excel, they can help put Miami football back among the national powers.
1- Quarterback Tyler Van Dyke. As we saw last year, if TVD goes down, there's gonna be a major drop off in quarterback play. This team cannot win eight or more games in 2023 without a healthy Van Dyke. Shannon Dawson's air raid passing scheme should allow him to thrive much like the Rhett Lashlee offense did in 2021. Van Dyke has better O-Line protection and more weapons this year. Also, the way TVD plays this year will set the tone for Miami’s recruiting. If he and the offense have a successful season, Miami becomes more attractive for blue chip quarterbacks and wide receivers in the class of 2024 and beyond.
2- Safety Kam Kinchens. The First Team All American sets the tone for the entire defense. He's the best overall player on the team, a leader in the locker room, and the quarterback of Miami's D. Kam's football instincts and work ethic set a positive example for his teammates. Expect him to get even better in Lance Guidry's defense. Guidry is a former safeties coach and Kam has really taken to his teachings so far.
3- Defensive tackle Leonard Taylor. His position is the literal heart of the defense, and LT possesses top fifteen NFL Draft pick upside. Statistically, Taylor was one of the most productive defensive linemen in college football last year, and I expect his snap count to go up in 2023. Former defensive coordinator Kevin Steele rotated him out way too often in my opinion. I think Guidry will let his best players play.
4- Center Matt Lee. Choosing Lee over Javion Cohen and some of Miami's other offensive linemen wasn't easy, but I gave this a lot of thought. People tend to underestimate the center to quarterback exchange and how critical that connection is. Lee was one of Miami’s most impressive players in spring football, period, and he is the anchor and the metronome of that offensive line.
5- Wide receiver Colbie Young. His combination of size (6-5,) speed and catch radius screams NUMBER ONE RECEIVER. We saw glimpses of it last year, when he ended up being Miami's second leading receiver after TE Will Mallory despite limited action in the first few games. Nobody has worked harder than Young during the offseason to become even better. He trimmed down and transformed his body to get faster. His reliable hands and ability to pull down contested balls can make him this offense’s version of Ahmmon Richards, Charleston Rambo or even Reggie Wayne. Van Dyke needs to know that when he throws something in Young’s direction, he can have faith that Colbie will come down with the football.
Do you agree with my top five? Who did I leave out and who would you replace?
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