Legends Of The Fall 2010

One tradition that we have established here at Canespace over the last three years is that each year over the Summer, after Spring practice and before the season begins, we ask bloggers are asked to select their personal choices for what we like to call "Legends of the Fall". 

This tradition actually started when CanesGirlNC, who is without a doubt a legend herself here on Canespace, started a series of player features with the same title.  Two years ago she wrote features about former UM players QB Kenny Dorsey and TE Jeremy Shockey among others.

In our fan selection process true "Legends of the Fall" are those players who the fans feel will have outstanding seasons for the Canes on offense and defense each year.  It's not about simply picking the Hurricanes' best players, but your personal favorites among the UM players apart from the usual suspects and most obvious stars.

So this year the following players who had their breakout seasons in 2009 are not eligible for selection: Jacory Harris and Leonard Hankerson on offense and Allen Bailey and Brandon Harris on defense.

Some bloggers choose first or second year players who are likely to break on the scene as true freshman, RS freshmen or sophomores.  Two years ago those players were Sean Spence and Aldarius Johnson.  Last year they were Jacory Harris and Brandon Harris.

There are your usual sselections at key positions like QB, RB and WR and then there are those unexpected surpises like kicker, punter and lead body slammer Matt Bosher who just happened to be the Canes 2008 MVP (seen here with OcalaCane at the 2009 Spring Game).

Other bloggers are more traditional or conservative in their picks and select juniors or seniors who are projected to finally have that incredible breakout season.  

These are picks that could really be any defensive or offensive player who may be primed to explode on the scene after a solid previous season or a spectacular Summer with Swasey.

Offensive and defensive linemen may not be popular or sexy picks but they are just as eligible as any other position player.

And don't forget special teams standouts too who can change a game with that one big play that shifts the entire momentum of a game.

Some bold predictions even result in selections of completely unexpected dark horse candidates for this honor like Sam Shields (seen here at R) last year. If these picks actually play out, the blogger who picked them look like absolute geniuses.  This is the most risky, but potentially most rewarding, approach of all.

It's your choice.  One offensive and one defensive player.  

Vote early, vote once.  U choose, U win!

Comments

[novaCANEPHINatic]

1st

[novaCANEPHINatic]

My LOF Picks-D. Dye/L. Miller

[sto cane]

for my legend of the fall vote: benjamin on offense, ray ray on defense

[Col. Sanders]

I'm betting on the seniors: Hankerson/DVD

[solarcane]

Eligible LOFers

No. Name Position Ht./Wt. Yr. Hometown/High School
1 Harris, Brandon Defensive Back 5-11/195 JR Miami, Fla./Booker T. Washington HS
2 Cooper, Graig Running Back 6-0/205 SR Memphis, Tenn./Melrose HS/Milford Prep
3 Benjamin, Travis Wide Receiver 5-10/175 JR Belle Glade, Fla./Glades Central HS
4 Johnson, Aldarius Wide Receiver 6-3/215 JR Miami, Fla./Northwestern
5 James, Mike Running Back 5-11/220 SO Hanies City, Fla./Ridge Community HS
6 Miller, Lamar Running Back 5-11/205 RS FR Miami, Fla./Killian HS
7 Telemaque, Vaughn Defensive Back 6-2/197 SO Long Beach, Calif./Long Beach Poly HS
8 Van Dyke, DeMarcus Defensive Back 6-1/185 SR Miami, Fla./Monsignor Pace HS
11 Highsmith, A.J. Quarterback 6-0/195 SO Missouri City, Texas/Hightower HS
12 Harris, Jacory Quarterback 6-4/190 JR Miami, Fla./Northwestern HS
13 Hill, Ryan Defensive Back 6-0/205 SR Tallahassee, Fla./Rickards HS
15 Reid, Jamal Defensive Back 6-1/180 RS FR Mayo, Fla./Lafayette HS
16 Whipples, Spencer Quarterback 6-2/210 JR Miami, Fla./Pine Richland (Pa.)
17 Morris, Stephen Quarterback 6-2/183 FR Miami, Fla./Monsignor Pace HS
20 Berry, Damien Running Back 5-11/217 SR Belle Glade, Fla./Glades Central HS
21 McGee, Brandon Defensive Back 5-11/185 SO Plantation, Fla./Plantation HS
24 Johnson, Storm Running Back 6-0/212 FR Loganville, Ga./Loganville HS
25 Bosher, Matt Placekicker/Punter 6-0/205 SR Jupiter, Fla./Jupiter HS
26 Armstrong, Ray Ray Defensive Back 6-4/220 SO Sanford, Fla./Seminole HS
28 Collier, Thearon Wide Receiver 5-9/192 JR Miami/Booker T. Washington HS
29 Nicolas, JoJo Defensive Back 6-1/200 JR Homestead, Fla./Homestead Senior HS
30 Hill, Patrick Fullback 5-9/255 SR Torrance, Calif./Fairfax HS (Calif.)
31 Spence, Sean Linebacker 6-0/212 JR Miami, Fla./Northwestern HS
32 Chambers, Lee Running Back 5-10/192 JR Coffeeville, Miss./Coffeeville HS
34 Holton, C.J. Linebacker 6-1/215 SO Crawfordville, Fla./Wakulla HS
35 Vernon, Olivier Defensive Line 6-3/250 SO Miami, Fla./American HS
36 Robinson, Kylan Linebacker 6-1/235 SR Anchorage, Alaska/Tampa Chamberlain HS
37 Campbell, Jared Defensive Back 6-0/205 SR Aurora, Colo./Overland HS
38 Nelms, Cory Defensive Back 6-1/195 SR Neptune, NJ/Neptune HS
40 Wieclaw, Jake Kicker 6-2/198 SO New Lenox, Ill./Lincoln Way Central HS
43 Calhoun, John Fullback 6-3/255 JR Micco, Fla./Sebastian River HS
44 McCarthy, Colin Linebacker 6-3/242 SR Clearwater, Fla./Clearwater Central Catholic HS
45 Buchanan, Ramon Linebacker 6-1/215 JR Melbourne, Fla./Palm Bay HS
47 Byrd, LaRon Wide Receiver 6-4/215 JR Hahnville, La./Hahnville HS
48 Smith, Andrew Defensive Line 6-2/245 JR Coconut Creek, Fla./Monarch HS
49 Dye, Dyron Defensive Line 6-5/240 RS FR Sanford, Fla./Seminole HS
50 Cornelius, Tyrone Linebacker 6-2/195 FR Stone Mountain, Ga./Stephenson HS
51 Green, Shayon Linebacker 6-2/235 RS FR Tifton, Ga./Tifton County HS
53 Paalua, Levi Defensive Line 6-2/225 SO Laie, Hawaii/Kahuku
54 Regis, Micanor Defensive Line 6-3/300 JR Pahokee, Fla./Pahokee HS
55 Jones, Ben Offensive Line 6-5/300 SO Miami, Fla./Northwestern HS
56 Robinson, Marcus Defensive Line 6-1/237 JR Homestead, Fla./Homestead HS
57 Bailey, Allen Defensive Line 6-4/288 SR Sapelo, Ga./McIntosh County Academy
58 Futch, Jordan Linebacker 6-2/235 JR Hollywood, Fla./Chaminade Madonna College Prep
60 Ivory, Chris Long Snapper 6-2/232 JR Ocala, Fla./Belleview HS
61 Figueroa, Joel Offensive Line 6-5/330 SR Miami, Fla./North Miami HS
62 McDermott, Shane Offensive Line 6-3/275 FR Lake Worth, Fla./Palm Beach Central HS
62 Lopez, Eduardo Offensive Line 6-0/315 FR Miami, Fla./Southwest Miami
63 Horn, Tyler Offensive Line 6-4/300 JR Memphis, Tenn./University HS
66 Gunn, Harland Offensive Line 6-2/315 JR Omaha, Neb./Central HS
69 Goldstein, Sean Linebacker 6-0/225 SO Dresher, Pa./Chestnut Hill Academy
71 White, Cory Offensive Line 6-5/260 RS FR Orange Park, Fla./Fleming Island HS
72 Washington, Brandon Offensive Line 6-4/330 SO Miami, Fla./Milford (NY) Academy
74 Franklin, Orlando Offensive Line 6-7/318 SR Delray Beach, Fla./Atlantic HS
75 Wheeler, Jared Offensive Line 6-5/330 RS FR Miami, Fla./American Heritage HS
77 Plein, Stephen Tight End 6-6/260 RS FR Fort Myers, Fla./Fort Myers HS
78 Johnson, Jermaine Offensive Line 6-6/310 RS FR Fort Lauderdale, Fla./Hargrave Military Academy
79 Bunche, Malcolm Offensive Line 6-7/328 FR Newark, Del./Newark HS
80 Hurns, Allen Wide Receiver 6-3/175 FR Miami, Fla./Carol City HS
81 Johnson, Davon Wide Receiver 6-0/192 SO Miami, Fla./Booker T. Washington HS
83 Thompkins, Kendal Wide Receiver 5-10/180 SO Miami, Fla./Northwestern HS
84 Gordon, Richard Tight End 6-4/270 SR Miami, Fla./Norland HS/Milford Prep (N.Y.)
85 Hankerson, Leonard Wide Receiver 6-3/215 SR Fort Lauderdale, Fla./St. Thomas Aquinas HS
86 Streeter, Tommy Wide Receiver 6-5/209 SO Miami, Fla./Northwestern HS
88 Sanders, Billy Tight End 6-4/248 RS FR Phoenix, Ariz./Brophy College Prep
90 Wesley, Steven Defensive Line 6-3/250 SR Bartow, Fla./Bartow HS
92 Holmes, Josh Defensive Line 6-0/280 SR San Diego, Calif./Point Loma HS
93 Robinson, Luther Defensive Line 6-3/292 RS FR Fort Pierce, Fla./Westwood HS
95 Hardin, Gavin Defensive Line 6-4/245 SO Jackson, Tenn./Central-Merry HS
96 Porter, Curtis Defensive Line 6-1/315 SO Charlotte, NC/Victory Christian HS
97 Ojomo, Adewale Defensive Line 6-4/253 JR Hialeah, Fla./Hialeah HS
98 Lewis, Jeremy Defensive Line 6-3/310 JR West Palm Beach/Palm Beach Lakes HS
99 Forston, Marcus Defensive Line 6-3/310 SO Miami, Fla./Northwestern HS
Gholston, Nathan Defensive Back 5-7/180 SO Westland, Mich./Plymouth
Bruneau, Ben Wide Reciever 6-2/205 SO Opa-Locka, Fla./Monsignor Pace

[4-Real]

Did'nt Damien Berry redshirt his freshmen year? Thought he'd be a junior this season?

[Sarasota 'cane]

I might change after summer practice, but right now my LOF are Berry/Ray Ray.

Go 'canes!

[DZ8]

Think Berry got in on special teams his first year.

Fannuzi was a Miami commit then switched to 'bama, something like that.

I also think Skip Holtz will do a very good job at USF.

[Fighting Ibis]

Did'nt Damien Berry redshirt his freshmen year? Thought he'd be a junior this season?

Posted by: 4-Real | March 30, 2010 at 10:12 PM

Berry never shirted. He played all year on special teams because Choker was a joke!

[SOUP]

These are my picks right here:

Gholston, Nathan Defensive Back 5-7/180 SO Westland, Mich./Plymouth

Bruneau, Ben Wide Reciever 6-2/205 SO Opa-Locka, Fla./Monsignor Pace

[Cat 5 Cane]

Well, It's easy to see who didn't read the article.......

cat5... D-Jordan Futch, WLB and O- Billy Sanders TE, but if he RS, then new transfer Chase Ford TE

[roachcane77]

Damien Berry on O, and Josh Holmes on D.

Thought I'd change it up a bit this year.

Let's Go Canes!

[Seoul Cane]

For LOF, I'm going with:

Streeter for O
Ray Ray for D

[DZ8]

Berry came in Randy first year. Can't blame Coker for everything... I'm jus saying

[Drtycane]

DRTY's LOF:

OFFENSE: Miller, Lamar
DEFENSE: Ojomo, Adewale

...hell yea...I may get an alias or another name to choose 2 more...we have depth...oh man we have depth!!!

[GURU]

Richard Gordon on O
Adewale ojomo on d

[pb(CSROH10)]

Does anyone have access to Bruce Feldman's blog? Love to read the rest of it.

The U will rise again

The vibe around the Miami football program is much different than it was a couple of years ago. The Canes look -- and seem -- like a legit powerhouse program again.

I was out at practice Friday and everywhere you looked they had freakish athletes. At receiver, there is 6-foot-4, 225-pound LaRon Byrd, 6-3, 215-pound Leonard Hankerson and 6-5, 210-pound Tommy Streeter. Each casts an imposing shadow, and all three move like cornerbacks. Travis Benjamin, the fastest of a UM receiving crew that goes seven deep, showed how dynamic he was in UM's spring game, catching six passes for 171 yards, producing one huge play after another.

There is also a deep stable of explosive tailbacks, evoking visions of the Clinton Portis/Willis McGahee days. The D-line, rocked by injury in 2009, is loaded again, led by uber freak Allen Bailey, a chiseled 285-pound defensive end with 4.6 speed. The secondary also can match up athletically with any receiver corps.

Even the area that has been the Canes' Achilles' heel the past few years -- the O-line -- looks good. Redshirt freshman offensive tackle Jermaine Johnson, a nimble 6-6, 322-pound former prep basketball star, is just one of a batch of lean up-and-comers who had insiders raving.

[Brownsub]

These are my picks right here:

Gholston, Nathan Defensive Back 5-7/180 SO Westland, Mich./Plymouth

Bruneau, Ben Wide Reciever 6-2/205 SO Opa-Locka, Fla./Monsignor Pace

Posted by: SOUP | March 30, 2010 at 10:35 PM

Funniest thing I read all day! I know you don't mean it though! LOL

[Brownsub]

LOF: Offense: Benjamin
Defense: Spence

[Fighting Ibis]

Berry came in Randy first year. Can't blame Coker for everything... I'm jus saying

Posted by: DZ8 | March 30, 2010 at 10:52 PM

But Berry was forced to play because there was no depth.

But I guess if there was depth then maybe Choker would still be here?

Thank god he's gone!

[IraqiCane]

LOF: J12 offense, Sean Spence defense.

GO CANES!!!

[Sarasota 'cane]

For the record, Coker won 2 NC's while he was here. There is no doubt the dude had to go, but he did what he was suppose to do those 1st two years.

There is no guarantee that Butch would have won one title had he stayed. I can remember questioning his play calling a lot before he left.

I guess my point is this, Coker is a 'cane and is part of the 'cane family. His blood was orange and green while he was here, and he deserves the same respect that all of the other 'cane family receives. I feel the same about Dennis Erickson, Robert Marve, Brock Berlin, etc.

While I don't have a "fatted calf" to kill, if Coker came back to visit, I'd gladly take him to Joe's Stone Crab and talk UM football all night!

Go 'canes!

[solarcane]

dang my boy Thearon is up to a svelte 5-9 192 as a junior.
What was he as a freshman? around a buck 75 it seems.

I guess he will have a shot at fullback as a senior.

[SOUP]

Funniest thing I read all day! I know you don't mean it though! LOL

Posted by: Brownsub | March 30, 2010 at 11:07 PM

U caught on to me so soon? LOL

[SOUP]

dang my boy Thearon is up to a svelte 5-9 192 as a junior.
What was he as a freshman? around a buck 75 it seems.

I guess he will have a shot at fullback as a senior.

Posted by: solarcane | March 30, 2010 at 11:50 PM

Word on the skreet is that is BEFORE breakfast. I'm jus' sayin'...

[solarcane]

nothing good is getting ready to happen
catch you guys tomorrow

[SOUP]

Iraqi...J12 is NOT eligible. Nor is Hank, Bailey or Brandon Harris.

That leaves 81 other players to choose from.

[solarcane]

for Six

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP)
Ambidextrous pitcher Pat Venditte threw with both arms for the New York Yankees on Tuesday, giving up one run in 1 1/3 innings during a 9-6 split-squad loss to the Atlanta Braves.
Pat Venditte, showing off his form as a righty.
Charlie Riedel

Venditte switched back and forth, depending on whether he was facing a righty or lefty. He gave up two hits and a walk.

The 24-year-old reliever, who uses a six-finger glove, pitched in Class A last season and went 4-2 with 22 saves and a 1.87 ERA.

Yankees ace CC Sabathia tuned up for his start in the major league opener Sunday night at Boston, allowing five runs and eight hits. He has a 7.23 ERA this spring.

[SOUP]

While I don't have a "fatted calf" to kill, if Coker came back to visit, I'd gladly take him to Joe's Stone Crab and talk UM football all night!

Go 'canes!

Posted by: Sarasota 'cane | March 30, 2010 at 11:43 PM

I'd come along. I LOVE stone crabs! That mustard sauce too...

[SOUP]

Drinking the Kool Aid, going to bed.

Coach says nothing good happens after midnight. Good night Canespace...

[UpNorthCane06]

My lofs:

offense: aladrius johnson
defense: ray ray Armstrong

[IraqiCane]

Iraqi...J12 is NOT eligible. Nor is Hank, Bailey or Brandon Harris.

That leaves 81 other players to choose from.

Posted by: SOUP | March 30, 2010 at 11:55 PM

Alright then, Damien Berry!!!

GO CANES!!!!

[Canezitis]

Colin McCarthy..it's contract yr for him and i thinks he raises his game to a new level.

Damien Berry would be the obvious choice for me on O as i just love how he runs like somebody pi$$ed in his cheerios, but thinking a little outta the box, i'm gonna go w/:
Chase Ford...he will be another Shockey for this team,loved his tape,big fast athletic TE.instant upgrade where we really need it.

[JCane]

Was gonna take RayRay, and I did last year, but since everyone else is picking him so far I've got to take someone else on D, so I'll go with Telemaque

On O the obvious props have been going out so far to Benjamin and Streeter, so I'd have to go with the incoming jc TE, Chase Ford.

[willie will in nashville]

Big Byrd on O
V Tele on D

[j.w.]

Benjamin and Telemaque get my votes

[Esteban]

Hankerson had a break out year last year...probably shouldn't be eligible.

either way I'm taking safe picks...

offense: Mike James
defense: Micanor Regis

[Esteban]

my non-safe picks would be:

offense: Asante Cleveland
defense: Ryan Hill

[RBLCane]

Berry and C-Mac for me.

GO CANES!!!

[Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer]

dang my boy Thearon is up to a svelte 5-9 192 as a junior.
What was he as a freshman? around a buck 75 it seems.

I guess he will have a shot at fullback as a senior.

Posted by: solarcane | March 30, 2010 at 11:50 PM

>>>>

LOL. He'll be on the pine real fast at this rate. Gotta get his mind right again. He's off course somewhere, somehow.

[Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer]

I'll have to think about the LOF picks. Too many choices, esp. with Futch and Forston out.

[Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer]

Just look at all the talent. Wild how things change in three years.

[orange 'n green in the vein]

LMFAO at the fact that Hankerson/Bailey was my 2008 LOF pick, now that combo is out of bounds? WTF?

[orange 'n green in the vein]

I'm with you Cav, this roster has way too many names to pick to really get a good grasp of who to go with, banned from being chosen or not.

[orange 'n green in the vein]

I'm mean '07 was Hank/Bailey, '08 I went with Fortson/JJ(? I think, it was a strikeout whoever it was).

[CaneRock]

Offense-Tyler Horn
Defense-Marcus "Adewale Ojomo" Robinson...

[Montreal-Cane]

Hankerson/Bailey Ok i cheated!

Berry/Spence

[4-Real]

Offense- Kendall T. Defense-Dyron D. Honorable mention- Lamar Miller/A. Ojomo. Vault it!

[Nashvillecane]

Imma go out on a limb and pick Regis on d...Davon Johnson on o...KC Rodgers as new comer of da yr

[HearAcane]

Louis,J on Defense , ,Gordon,R on Offense