2002 Statistics

written by Ricky Sixx

To reach the national championship game in as many years as he has coached Miami, Larry Coker will have to do it with a handful of fresh faces and the help of some familiar ones. Headlining as one of those new faces will be former University of Florida quarterback Brock Berlin. His spotlight of experience drifts back to the 2002 Orange Bowl, where he played the entire first half and had a Maryland defense on their heels. Although the former Gator appears to have all the talent needed to run this high-powered Hurricane offense, he will still have to compete with Mark Guillion and Derrick Crudup for the position. This group will produce a winner, regardless. Any of them could do well, and the soon-to-be competition will push their collective envelope so that whoever emerges to start will be that much better. SPRING UPDATE: University of Miami head football coach Larry Coker announced that junior Brock Berlin has been named Miami's starting quarterback heading into the summer and will be the likely man at the helm when Miami opens its season August 28 in Shreveport against Louisiana Tech, a game to be televised by ESPN.

With a healthy knee and a year's worth of built up frustration, Frank Gore now has his shot to prove he is capable of replicating that same success as predecessor McGahee. Recall that Gore's freshman year of 2001 was an eye-opener to many viewers. His explosiveness should translate into your typical Miami production that most opponents are used to by now. Jarrett Payton (son of NFL great Walter) returns for his senior season as option number two. Depth could become a concern at TB because Miami too often bars young, talented rushers from playing early in their college careers, opting for present success instead of seasoning some backs for the future. These two seem to be it for experience at the position. But the FB spot has some quality competition with Hill and Cobia.

All American TE, Kellen Winslow Jr., will lead one of the deepest receiving units in the country. Anyone that has watched Winslow play in clutch situations knows he arguably is the best possession receiver, period. While the loss of Andre Johnson leaves a vacancy for a big name WR, Kevin Beard, Jason Geathers, and Roscoe Parrish bring an array of experience and athleticism to both spots. Future top-flight wide outs Akieem Jolla and Ryan Moore both have the ability to be starters if touted. With the new QB not set or experienced, coaches are hoping they show reason sooner than later.

Both run- and pass-blocking are a counted strength for one of the nation's best OLs. Though the interior part of Miami's line took a hit with the loss of Brett Romberg and Sherko Haji-Rosouli, many familiar names still emerge. Fans should become accustomed to the same attributes up front …a dominating unit in every athletic sense and fundamentally sound blockers. Those praises can be directed toward OL Coach Art Kehoe, who has been with the program for 21 years as he transcends the knowledge of ex-coaches such as Schnellenberger, Johnson, Erickson, and Davis. On the outside, Vernon Carey opted to stay for another year rather than turning pro while his counterpart, Carlos Joseph, will be protecting the quarterback's blind side at left tackle. Both are returning veterans, which will provide a big key for a new QB. The interior may not be familiar names to the rest of the college football world, but they are to people in the know. Guys like Chris Myers and Joel Rodriguez will soon be receiving the recognition Miami linemen are used to sharing.

Since the Butch Davis era, the Hurricanes have put great emphasis on offensive balance by setting up the pass with the run. Its clear the offense will only go as far as the QB can take them, but don't expect coaches to put too much pressure on Ken Dorsey's predecessor. We expect, as with so many of the Hurricane legends, that Berlin will be asked to do more than just not lose, and accordingly achieve whatever is needed. However, much like the 2000 season (Dorsey's first year as a starter), look for Miami to limit the responsibility given to the quarterback and allow their talented athletes at the skill positions to do most of the work. That part is simple logic when you have the personnel that Miami recruits.

TE Kellen Winslow

written by Ricky Sixx

The DL is perhaps where Miami was hit the hardest. Six future NFL players have moved on, including All-Americans Jerome McDougle and William Joseph. Still, if there is a team in the country that has proven it can absorb that kind of loss, it is the Hurricanes. This situation is not much different from what predictors were saying with the new 2002 DBs, whom evolved into the nation's best unit. Anchoring the middle of the DL will be unanimous All-American tackle Vince Wilfork. His size (see top photo) and power were almost enough to draw him away to that next level. Other names looking to contribute are Santonio Thomas and sophomore standout Orien Harris (best defensive linemen in the history of Delaware HS football). SPRING UPDATE: DE Baraka Atkins has been making waves at defensive end and should compete for a starting spot there. He emerged as a burgeoning star after Miami's spring game (CanesFest), stripping the ball and returning 21 yards for a touchdown on one occasion while recording two sacks. He reminds me of Jevon Kearse; he's going to be a freak of nature, Miami defensive tackle Vince Wilfork said. He came in saying, 'I'm going to break up the offense today.' That may sound arrogant, but then he went out and did it.

While there may be some experience at tackle, the same cannot be said for the ends. JUCO-transfer Alton Wright, the most talented of the bunch, will vie for a starting job, but do not count out speed-rush specialist John Square. Square posses uncanny outside speed, but will need to gain some more weight if he wishes to compete for first team honors.

The back-seven are as dominating as they come, having seasoned the 2002 newbies into the nation's best. Leading the way will be the undersized, yet hard-hitting MLB Jonathan Vilma, who deceptively led the team in tackles. Most recall his vicious hits from the Rose Bowl Championship Game. Taking care of the weak-side will be the physically gifted and multi-talented linebacker D.J. Williams. Keep a close eye on Roger McIntosh - the strong-side is in the capable hands of this future star.

CB Antrel Rolle is one of the best in the country and should get plenty of looks as a preseason All-American. Complimenting him on the other side will be Kelly Jennings, an athletic corner who will look to raise his game to another level after being forced to play with a cast for most of last season. Quite possibly the nation's best at free safety, Sean Taylor cannot only lay the wood but also cover like a corner. Taylor will lead the Hurricane secondary along side strong safety Maurice Sikes, who possesses the skills, but needs to show more consistency in his senior season.

Last year's defense did not play up to potential until the month of November. If the Hurricanes want to be National Championship contenders well into the 2003 season, any improvement has to carry over. Having the luxury of an experienced QB is not an early option in terms of keeping the defense off the field. Coordinator Randy Shannon will have to force more turnovers and play run-defense much as they did to end the 2002 season. If his squad can hold up their end of the bargain, the Sugar Bowl is an achievable goal.

LB DJ Williams