Team Report: Strategy and Personnel
PLAYERS TO WATCH IN 2008: QB Robert Marve -- Marve was taken out of the picture with a redshirt season after injuring his non-throwing hand in a car accident before practice began. But Hurricane fans are hopeful that even as a redshirt freshman, he will be able to beat out returning senior Kirby Freeman, who began the season as the starter but couldn't hold onto the job.
RB Graig Cooper -- Injuries limited Graig Cooper late in the season, and though he came off the bench behind starter Javarris James, he still ended up as Miami's leading rusher as a true freshman. He has more breakaway potential than James, who is tough between the tackles, and also is more of a threat as a receiver out of the backfield.
DE Calais Campbell -- Campbell didn't have the kind of season that was expected of him. His sack production fell from 10.5 as a sophomore to only six this season. Coach Randy Shannon attributed that to the increase in the number of plays Campbell was on the field for. Though he is considering entering the NFL draft, he probably needs to return for his senior season to enhance his draft stock.
PRO PROSPECTS: LB Tavares Gooden -- Gooden has had a productive season -- he led the Hurricanes in tackles -- after being moved from outside to the middle of Miami's 4-3 front. He could be the first Hurricane picked in the NFL draft, but it won't be in the first round, which would end Miami's consecutive years with at least one first-round pick at 13 consecutive years.
WR Darnell Jenkins -- Jenkins showed some big-play ability and a willingness to go across the middle for the tough catch, but he's probably no better than a late-round choice unless he has an impressive showing in the combine. After all, a year ago many didn't believe TE Greg Olsen might benefit from another year on campus, and he parlayed some impressive workouts into a first-round pick by the Chicago Bears. But there's a lot more competition at wide receiver for Jenkins.
DT Teraz McCray -- He was asked to carry a bigger load than what was demanded of Miami's defensive tackles of the past, and that could play in his favor. He's a likely candidate as a late-round pick.
ROSTER REPORT: Interestingly, TB Charles Jones, who missed the season with an undisclosed injury, was introduced with the rest of his classmates at Miami's Senior Day, but LBs Romeo Davis (knee) and Glenn Cook (foot), who would have been seniors if not for injuries in 2007, were not. If Davis and Cook return, that will bolster Miami's defense considerably. Also expected to return is DT Dwayne Hendricks (knee).
Though neither had the kind of seasons expected of them, if Campbell and S Kenny Phillips opt to enter the NFL Draft a year early, it would leave the defense very much exposed. Both have indicated they are weighing their options. Underclassmen have until Jan. 15 to declare for the draft.
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