Colin McCarthy noticed a similar trend during his early years at the University of Miami.
The veteran linebacker on the team needed to have more than just talent, but also had to serve as mentor to the younger players. Now a senior, McCarthy is adjusting to his new role as the Hurricanes' most experienced at the position.
"I've learned through linebackers that have came here before me like Tavares [Gooden], [Jon] Beason, Glenn Cook, and Darryl [Sharpton],"
McCarthy said. x"Now it is my opportunity and playing linebacker gives you a great opportunity to do that because you work with both the DBs and the [defensive] line a lot more. If they want me to take on that role, I'm there."
A more vocal McCarthy is just what UM needs to bolster an area some may consider problematic. Coach Randy Shannon deemed the linebackers a concern before the preseason began because of youth, depth and inexperience. It is McCarthy's job to aid in developing young talent such as Jordan Futch, Ramon Buchanan and Kevin Nelson.
So far, McCarthy has excelled in his new role.
"Colin has always been a guy that speaks out, but I think this year he has really taken it upon himself to be that vocal leader that the defense needs,"
junior linebacker Sean Spence said. "We are looking to feed off him because he's a great leader and he backs it up on the field."
McCarthy is entering his fifth year with the Hurricanes. After starting in 2007, he was set for a breakout year until a shoulder injury cut short his season. He regained form the next season, recording 95 tackles, one sack and an interception. That was enough to earn second-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference honors, but McCarthy wants more.
With this being his last collegiate season, he wants to help the senior class leave a stamp on the program. Most were around for the struggles near the end of the Larry Coker era and beginning of Shannon's tenure.
"For all the seniors, we've been through a lot," McCarthy said. x"We feel like this is a great opportunity for us this year, and we're trying to take advantage of it."
The question is where McCarthy will have the biggest impact. He's played on the outside throughout his career, but could possibly slide to middle. He and unproven senior Kylan Robinson are the only legitimate options at the moment.
As linebacker coach Michael Barrow put it, he wants "the best three"
on the field.
"Even when I was here, I played outside and my sophomore year, to get the best three, I had to move to the middle,"
said Barrow, who played at UM from 1989-92.
McCarthy is indifferent on where he plays. Just as long as he's involved in helping the Hurricanes succeed.
"Honestly, it doesn't matter,"
McCarthy said. "My reads are different in the middle from the outside. But the No. 1 thing is get to the ball and make plays. I can do it from the outside and do it from the inside, so it's not an issue."
