The reminders are everywhere. Pictures on the walls of the Hecht Athletic Center. All-American banners surrounding the Greentree Practice Fields. Five national championships trophies in the DiMare Gallery of Champions at the Schwartz Center for Athletic Excellence.
No matter where linebackers Shaquille Quarterman, Michael Pinckney and Zach McCloud go, they are reminded of all the greatness that came before them at the University of Miami.
Ray Lewis, Jonathan Vilma, DJ Williams and Jon Beason are just a handful of the recent greats to have dominated at linebacker for the Hurricanes.
They are also mentors and motivators for the latest crop of Miami linebackers. "You just can't come here, especially as a linebacker, and not live up to the guys who played before you," Quarterman said.
"Just walk around our campus and our facility and those guys are everywhere. They're all over the walls because they did so many great things. That sets expectations for us to do great things and if you don't, you have to walk around in shame. I refuse to do that and we refuse to do that."
The legacy of great Hurricane linebackers spans decades, dating back to the 1970s when Harold Sears became the first Hurricane linebacker to be named an All-American.
Jay Brophy and Maurice Crum were All-Americans that won national championships in the 80s, laying the foundation for an unbelievable stretch of superstars at the position. The Bermuda Triangle of Micheal Barrow, Darrin Smith and Jessie Armstead followed, winning national titles and making highlight-reel plays for the Canes before going on the NFL stardom.
Lewis, who is arguably the greatest linebacker in the history of the sport, and Dan Morgan, a Butkus, Nagurski and Bednarik Award winner, continued to elevate the standard at Miami. Vilma and Williams were anchors on the 2001 team that won the national championship, while Beason was a standout at Miami that went on to become a star in the NFL like so many Hurricanes have.
"It's a great legacy if you look back at some of the guys that have played here and what they did here and in the NFL," Pinckney said. "We have some of the greatest linebackers ever, including the greatest ever in Ray Lewis. It's a great honor to be part of it."
Pinckney, Quarterman and McCloud are lauded by many as the latest in the long line of star linebackers at Miami. The expectations are warranted, as they became the first trio of true freshmen to start together at linebacker in Hurricanes history.
"Playing as much as we did last year is not what usually happens, especially in a place like this," McCloud said. "It was a huge blessing and was an experience that I am very proud of, but we are all not satisfied. We definitely are motivated to get better and improve of what we did as freshmen."
Jonathan Vilma helped Miami win the 2001 national title. Quarterman led the way in 2016, ranking third among ACC freshmen with 84 tackles and had more tackles for loss (10.0) than any first-year ACC linebacker in nearly a decade. A Freshman All-American, he led the Hurricanes with eight quarterback hurries, added three sacks and scored his first career touchdown on 17-yard fumble return at Georgia Tech.
Pinckney racked up 61 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and an interception to earn Freshman All-America recognition by ESPN, while McCloud burst on the scene with a blocked punt in the season opener against Florida A&M and finished the year with 37 tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss. Despite all the success the trio has experienced, they are hungry for more.
"You've got to remember that we still haven't really done anything," Pinckney said. "Even with all the success we had last year, it's not like we are regarded as the best linebackers in the country. That motivates us to work so we can get to that level. For me, I remember that the projections said I wasn't even supposed to touch the field last year. That motivates me and I have a chip on my shoulder when I play the game of football."
Uno
Posted by: Elliott | July 06, 2017 at 12:29 AM
DOS XX
Posted by: SOUP | July 06, 2017 at 01:27 AM
Tres
Posted by: nemo2002 | July 06, 2017 at 04:52 AM
Suzi Quatro.
Posted by: VfB_Cane | July 06, 2017 at 04:55 AM
Good Article Soup
Posted by: Old Skool | July 06, 2017 at 05:22 AM
Canes brothers good morning!
SOUP Great blog brother!
VA Cane - glad you are back in the saddle !
Bermuda triangle version 2. ..very excited to see these bad asses wreak havoc!
Solid OL play & this team causes problems for anybody. ...
God bless you and Go Canes!
Posted by: Mark from Atlanta | July 06, 2017 at 05:49 AM
Great job Soup as usual. 3 weeks to Fall Camp, and 58 days to the Season Home Opener against Bethune Cookman at the Rock.
Posted by: Terrance Sullivan | July 06, 2017 at 06:39 AM
Great article Soup!
Posted by: BigWindyCane1 | July 06, 2017 at 07:10 AM
Morgan...mcintosh...williams...beason...vilma...Ray Fricking lewis...mira...Perryman..God almighty!
I'm sure missing some fellas...
I believe these 3 young bucks have real chance to etch their names on this list...
Ballers...
Coach Richt your job is to eliminate the NCs, GTs, VTs...etc as contenders...
It's Us...vs.FSU...Clemson..L'ville...
Everyone else. ..we came. ..we kicked azz...your night was ruined. ..
God bless you and Go Canes! ! !
Posted by: Mark from Atlanta | July 06, 2017 at 09:04 AM
Suzi Quatro.
Posted by: VfB_Cane | July 06, 2017 at 04:55 AM
Hey, look who's Stumblin' In.
Posted by: nemo2002 | July 06, 2017 at 12:03 PM
Just got a note from a relative who is a Houston Cougar fan asking me about their new defensive coordinator---Mark "no D" D'Onofrio.
My response:
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
tell your OC to plan on needing 60+ to win.
Posted by: Mountain Cane | July 06, 2017 at 12:10 PM
It's still 2 1/2 weeks away, but here's the current list for Paradise Camp. Many more names will be added. Elite list already.
Paradise Camp 2017 (July 22)
Former Players:
Duke Johnson -RB (2014) - Cleveland Browns
Invites:
2018
Lorenzo Lingard - RB (Committed)
Camron Davis - RB (Committed)
Brian Hightower -WR (Committed)
Cleveland Reed - OG (Committed)
Gregory Rousseau - ATH (Committed)
Tyson Campbell* - CB (American Heritage)
Dennis Briggs II* - DE (Gateway)
Tyquan Thornton* - WR (Booker T. Washington)
Elijah Moore - WR (St. Thomas Aquinas)
Jordan Domineck - DE (Lakeland George W. Jenkins)
2019
Jesiah Pierre - LB (Committed)
Diamante Howard - LB (Committed)
Dontae Lucas* - OL (Miami Senior)
Josh Sanguinetti* - ATH (U-School)
Jahmar Brown - LB (St. Thomas Aquinas)
Keshawn King* - RB (Oakleaf)
Michael Tarquin* - OL (Belleview)
Kingsley Eguakun - OG (Atlantic Coast)
Ge'mon Eaford - LB (Deerfield Beach)
2020
Don Chaney Jr.* - RB (Belen Jesuit)
Jalen Rivers* - OL (Oakleaf)
Chantz Williams* - DE (Oakleaf)
Leonard Manuel* - WR (Vangard) Tennessee Commit
Miller Lewis - OL (Vangard)
Deajaun McDougle - WR (Deerfield Beach) (hudl | Scout | Twitter)
Caziah Holmes - QB (Cocoa)
Aydin Henningham - WR (Atlantic)
* = Offered
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | July 06, 2017 at 12:49 PM
Miami Hurricanes football adding black and green jerseys for 2017
http://caneswatch.blog.palmbeachpost.com/2017/07/06/miami-hurricanes-football-adding-black-and-green-jerseys-for-2017/
Posted by: 30CINCO | July 06, 2017 at 01:25 PM
I have confidence that, under Richt, the jersey will NOT suck at all. They will probably be our best looking alternates in YEARS.
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | July 06, 2017 at 01:41 PM
Posted by: Mountain Cane | July 06, 2017 at 12:10 PM
Did you tell them to turn off the tv for defense? Good time to take medication, drink beer, etc.
Posted by: Dude on a Pale Horse | July 06, 2017 at 05:24 PM
Good addition, Dude. He likes lots of beer so will have lots of drinking opportunities. A can for every td given up could make for a good game.
Posted by: Mountain Cane | July 06, 2017 at 06:01 PM
Suzi Quatro.
Posted by: VfB_Cane | July 06, 2017 at 04:55 AM
Hey, look who's Stumblin' In.
Posted by: nemo2002 | July 06, 2017 at 12:03 PM
You're a die-hard Hurricane fan. They hire Al Golden. You think it's an awful choiuce. Now, what do you do? Do you still rooot for them becaus, after all, it's still the Canes? Or do put your passion on hold till they come to their senses?
Adolescent me had the same problem with Suzi Quatro when Stumblin' In came out. I loved the rocking and bass playing Suzi of Can the Can and 48 Crash. Then she teams up with Smokie's Chris Norman. Anti-Rock.
Now, decade's later, I have to admit it's a pretty good song. And Al Golden is history. Life is good.
Posted by: VfB_Cane | July 06, 2017 at 06:22 PM
Per Matt Porter of PBP:
One betting outlet thinks the Hurricanes are a nine-win team.
Taking an early glance at the schedule, it seems reasonable to take the over.
Miami’s over-under of nine wins seems one too low, even without a sure thing at quarterback. UM’s defense should be good enough to keep them in games while an offense with plenty of skill comes together. It may not be enough in Week 3 at Florida State, but that’s far and away the biggest hurdle on the Canes’ schedule.
Two months before the season, I would take my chances with the Hurricanes in tight games with Notre Dame (home), Virginia Tech (home), Pittsburgh (away), and expect them to handle Syracuse (home), Duke (road), North Carolina (road), Toledo (home), Arkansas State (road), Georgia Tech (home) and Virginia (home) a little more easily.
That would make Miami a 10-game winner for the first time since 2003, when it was still in the Big East (and two years removed from a national championship).
Speaking of odds, VegasInsider lists no line for Miami’s opener against Bethune-Cookman (12:30 p.m. Sept. 2, ACC regional networks). However, dozens of more competitive Week 1 matchups are projected.
In January, the Hurricanes were given 66-to-1 odds to win the national title and are the Vegas favorite to win the ACC Coastal Division. They will likely be the Coastal choice when the media convenes in Charlotte next Thursday for the ACC Kickoff.
UM, which ended last year ranked No. 20, came in at No. 23 in Athlon Sports’ preseason poll, and No. 19 in both the Sporting News and Fox Sports polls.
One thing to note, which may be coincidental: Miami has exceeded its early projection in the last two years.
Last year’s June regular-season over-under was 6.5 wins. The Hurricanes won eight games in the regular season and finished 9-4. In 2015, they took 5.5 wins and turned it into an eight-win regular season, and an 8-5 record. In 2014, Miami’s preseason over-under was 7.5 wins. They went under — under that, and under .500 (6-7).
What say you about 2017?
Posted by: BigWindyCane1 | July 06, 2017 at 11:57 PM
I can see us losing 3 regular season games and losing in a bowl. Just ballparking it, 25% chance I'd say. 70% we win 10 games bowl included & 5% chance we win 11 or more.
Posted by: Dude on a Pale Horse | July 07, 2017 at 04:17 AM
It's all going to come down to Praying for Perry.
Posted by: Go Canes! | July 07, 2017 at 06:06 AM
tell your OC to plan on needing 60+ to win.
Posted by: Mountain Cane | July 06, 2017 at 12:10 PM
****************************************
And be ready to watch corners play 6 yards off the LOS on 3rd and 2
Posted by: raizecane | July 07, 2017 at 08:19 AM
I like Matt Porter's predictions on the Canes wins total and Coastal Division Championship. From listening to CMR's speeches and interviews, I also think CMR believes the Canes will have a great season, and at least win the Coastal. Many good coaches' programs make a huge leap in the second year. Players are familiar with the system and what needs to get done.
Players will ride the momentum of a very strong 5-0 finish last season (perhaps the most impressive win streak at UM in over a decade) against 4 quality ACC opponents and a ranked West Virginia team. The Canes averaged 37 points and gave up 18 points a game during that stretch.
The Canes should also improve as the season moves along. Obviously, the big unknown is the QB. Although you can see that the Canes have talent at the QB position, you never really know what kind of QB you have until they put on pads and start playing. CMR is clear that he wants a dual threat QB, and all of the QBs on the roster right now can tuck the ball and run. Perry is probably the most talented, and he does have a whip for an arm. Perry is also allusive and seems to have good instincts for big plays. But as a freshmen, mistakes and turnovers are often and issue when they step in against good competition. I think there is enough talent on offense to help Perry or any other QB who starts this season.
The defense will be nasty. I think they will be even better. The DTs might go early to the NFL this year, and the DEs could lead the conference is sacks. I expect Thomas to take an extraordinary leap this year, and Jackson will also. The tow-deep LBs will all improve dramatically from their freshmen and sophomore seasons, as I see a few future NFL players in that LB rotation. The surprise will be the CBs, as I expect some talented playmakers who could lead the ACC in INTs. Jaquan Johnson will be that leader on defense, and will be an improvement from the two very good Canes safeties last season. I am confident that this will be a top ten defense, but I also expect that they will generate more turnovers because they will play faster and smarter. This is the best defense since Vilma, Wilfork and Rolle were Canes.
Posted by: BigWindyCane1 | July 07, 2017 at 10:30 AM
Watch the turnovers and that will tell you the tale of our season. That and line play on both sides of scrimmage. Let me break it down in 2014 we the Offense turned the ball over 27 times we went 6-7. In 2015 the Offense turned the ball over 17 times we went 8-5, In 2016 the Offense turned the ball over 10 times we went 9-4. Protect the Football.
Posted by: Terrance Sullivan | July 07, 2017 at 11:09 AM
Alabama-FSU opener is officially a sell out. Tide is 7.5 point favorite according to @LVSuperBook
Posted by: Go Canes! | July 07, 2017 at 11:49 AM
Posted by: Go Canes! | July 07, 2017 at 11:49 AM
Does FSU playing Bama early help us or hurt us? I can see the arguement both ways.
Posted by: Dude on a Pale Horse | July 07, 2017 at 12:10 PM
Posted by: Terrance Sullivan | July 07, 2017 at 11:09 AM
Somewhere between '15 & '16 is my guess, but with a stronger D that adds TFL and TOs.
Posted by: Dude on a Pale Horse | July 07, 2017 at 12:12 PM
Yes Sir The Dude.
Posted by: Terrance Sullivan | July 07, 2017 at 12:59 PM
Suzi Quatro.
Posted by: VfB_Cane | July 06, 2017 at 04:55 AM
Leather Tuscadero?
Posted by: nemo2002 | July 07, 2017 at 08:21 PM
Ravel's Bolero
Posted by: Old Skool | July 07, 2017 at 09:15 PM
Posted by: BigWindyCane1 | July 07, 2017 at 10:30 AM
👍
Posted by: 1mg Of epi | July 07, 2017 at 09:49 PM
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-hurricanes/fl-sp-um-football-nkosi-perry-20170707-story.html
Posted by: thirstybuzzardcane | July 08, 2017 at 08:21 AM
I think we have something special brewing down at the Gable!
Posted by: thirstybuzzardcane | July 08, 2017 at 08:22 AM
Pray for Perry!
Posted by: Go Canes! | July 08, 2017 at 08:37 AM
TEST
Posted by: SOUP | July 08, 2017 at 11:09 PM
Working again!
Posted by: SOUP | July 08, 2017 at 11:10 PM
This was recorded off the radio, days before Miami played Oklahoma for the national championship...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NETyVa-CsSs&feature=youtu.be
Posted by: TonyCane | July 09, 2017 at 12:03 AM
Canes alum and Phoenix Sun second round pick Devon Reed scored 17 points in an 89-85 win over the Sacramento Kings in his first Summer League game in Las Vegas.
Posted by: BigWindyCane1 | July 09, 2017 at 10:29 AM
Hi peeps! VA good to see you around on the blog. Looking forward to meeting you at the Notre Dame game.
Had a nice conversation with Ahmon Richards parents in Home Depot today. There was a man standing behind me with a Canes shirt so I told him I liked it, and he said his son plays for the Canes. I asked who and he told me. He seemed surprised I knew about Ahmon and I said "everyone knows about Ahmon". They are very happy that he chose Miami and they said that he is very happy at Miami. They also feel, like we do, that FSU should be our only loss. His mother cannot wait for the season to start LOL
There ya have it. Really nice people.
Posted by: CGNC | July 09, 2017 at 04:49 PM
Posted by: CGNC | July 09, 2017 at 04:49 PM
Very cool. FSU is our only loss on paper, but so much can change over the course of a season and many things can be beyond our control, especially for a team like ours which isnt yet a finished product.
Posted by: Dude on a Pale Horse | July 09, 2017 at 05:03 PM
I read an article the other day, maybe the link was here? It was about how Perry is already impressing his team with his ability and that he's winning them over. Now the odds arent good I think, but if this kid is a day 1 problem for other defenses, we could be in for something sweet. I hope Richt, Perry and the entire team has 2016's FSU v. Louisville memorized.
Posted by: Dude on a Pale Horse | July 09, 2017 at 05:08 PM
Speaking of Louisville, I think most would agree they had a great season last year finishing 7-1 in conference, but lets not forget they finished 9-4 overall. It was a big season for them crushing FSU & playing Clemson close, but 1 crazy night against the Kentucky Wildcats cost them a 10 win season. That's just college football.
Posted by: Dude on a Pale Horse | July 09, 2017 at 05:14 PM
Or laying a egg against LSU in the Citrus Bowl lol.
Posted by: Terrance Sullivan | July 09, 2017 at 07:35 PM
We should of had a 10 win season if we didn't lay an egg against a 4-8 Notre Dame team.
Posted by: Terrance Sullivan | July 09, 2017 at 07:46 PM
^^^ My point exactly TS. Damn that ND loss still chaps my ass. Should have beaten those guys.
Posted by: Dude on a Pale Horse | July 09, 2017 at 08:22 PM
Yes Sir The Dude. We would of been 10-3 and would have finished the season in the Top 12 instead of finishing 20th.
Posted by: Terrance Sullivan | July 09, 2017 at 08:35 PM
There ya have it. Really nice people.
Posted by: CGNC | July 09, 2017 at 04:49 PM
#InsideScoop
Posted by: SOUP | July 09, 2017 at 09:43 PM
Nobody is going to like what I am about to say:
Richt's Mr. Good/Nice Guy attitude cost us the ND game. Hate is an ugly emotion but it can be a very powerful emotion. One must harness their hate in a violent sport like football to succeed.
Posted by: SOUP | July 09, 2017 at 09:45 PM
^^^ Not totally true SOUP. Pete Carroll was a nice guy for the most part.
Posted by: Dude on a Pale Horse | July 09, 2017 at 10:04 PM
I hope Richt, Perry and the entire team has 2016's FSU v. Louisville memorized.
Posted by: The Dude | July 09, 2017 at 05:08 PM
Perry ain't Jackson as far as running ability, but I do think Perry throws a better ball than Jackson at the same point int their careers.
Posted by: CaneRock | July 09, 2017 at 10:22 PM
Posted by: SOUP | July 09, 2017 at 09:45 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=id2UmGjIyfA
Wrong again SOUP, it was the shitty QB play of the gold-hen girl loser for life against all the primary rivals dude at QB getting outplayed by a future high round NFL draft pick at the start and at the end of the game that let that under .500 season winning percentage opponent loss on the record of all involved.
Luckily that particular gane choker is gone and back to palling around with the loser who offered a wasted scholarship spot to him in the first place, so now there's a small chance of actually holding onto leads once they're on the board in crunch time.
But by all means, show the point in the game that the offensive coordinator or the head coach's gameplan cost his team the win by sharing the timestamp for the exact moment with the rest of us to know what you're trying to reference. Please, continue.
Posted by: orange 'n green in the vein | July 09, 2017 at 10:34 PM