DB Greg Threat

2004 Statistics

Coach: Larry Coker
44-6, 4 years
2004 Record: 9-3
FLORIDA STATE WON 16-10
LOUISIANA TECH WON 48-0
at Houston WON 38-13
at Georgia Tech WON 27-3
LOUISVILLE WON 41-38
at North Carolina State WON 45-31
at North Carolina LOST 28-31
CLEMSON LOST 17-24
at Virginia WON 31-21
WAKE FOREST WON 52-7
VIRGINIA TECH LOST 10-16
PEACH BOWL
vs. Florida WON 27-10
 


2004 Final Rankings
AP-11, Coaches-11, BCS-14

2005 Outlook

Could a coach who took his team to consecutive national championship games just a couple seasons ago be on the hot seat? Not yet for Larry Coker, but he needs to prove he can take Miami back to the elite level it is accustomed to. They won the 2001 national championship and appeared in the title game after the 2002 season with Butch Davis' players. It is now time to win with his recruits. Miami, not Virginia Tech, was the team predicted to come from the Big East to dominate ACC football. That did not happen. 2005 should be Miami's year, but only if a few things fall into place.

If Miami wants to get back to the top, where it was just a couple of years ago, it must start with an improved defense. It is no secret on South Beach that defense wins championships. Coker, defensive coordinator Randy Shannon and his entire staff have taken amazing (but raw) talent and made it into an experienced unit that will be much tougher against the run. When that happens, they will then gamble with different blitz packages, which should result in a match/improvement from the 38 sacks and +19 giveaway/takeaway ratio from 2004. It is their 30%-rate in allowing third-downs to succeed that is the main variable to watch - another similar showing this way assures the level(s) needed to win. But a strong defense alone will not get it done in the toughening ACC (Boston College joins). The offense will take time to come around. The shorter that period, the more likely this may be a resurgent Miami program.

The schedule, after the opening date at Florida State, is very favorable. FSU is revamped, too, so there is no distinct advantage here. This gives the young offensive skill positions two months to get ready for another showdown in Blacksburg. The season-ending home game against Virginia will also be a challenge for a 'Cane team with (an unheard of) three home losses over the past two seasons. A return to form and a closer ACC race will be this season's result, and making the conference's initial title game will also happen. But any more national championships will have to wait until their new QB takes his position's play back to those Heisman-caliber days when every 'Cane signal-caller went to New York in early December. Until then, impressive wins will reestablish Miami amongst the nation's elite and as one of the most feared teams.


Projected 2005 record: 9-2
MIAMI FL
*POWER RATINGS
Offense
Defense
QB - 3 DL - 4
RB - 2.5 LB - 3.5
WR - 4.5 DB - 4.5
OL - 4 ..
RETURNING LEADERS

Passing: Kyle Wright, 9-5-0, 30 yds., 0 TD

Rushing: Tyrone Moss, 102 att., 445 yds., 6 TD

Receiving: Sinorice Moss, 20 rec., 351 yds., 3 TD

Scoring: Jon Peattie, 15-24 FG, 45-45 PAT, 90 pts.

Punting: Brian Monroe, 64 punts, 41.2 avg.

Kicking: Brian Monroe, 64 punts, 41.2 avg.

Tackles: Greg Threat, 110 tot., 57 solo

Sacks: Thomas Carroll, Baraka Atkins, 5 each

Interceptions: Devin Hester, 4 for 28 yds.

Kickoff Returns: Devin Hester, 15 ret., 25.9avg., 1 TD

Punt Returns: Devin Hester, 19 ret., 17.2 avg., 3 TD

 

OT Eric Winston
 
MIAMI FL
OFFENSE - 4
----RETURNING STARTERS----
DEFENSE - 9
KEY LOSSES
OFFENSE: Brock Berlin-QB, Derrick Crudup-QB, Talib Humphrey-FB, Kevin Everett-TE, Joel Rodriguez-C, Chris Myers-OT, Roscoe Parrish-WR (NFL), Frank Gore-RB (NFL)
DEFENSE: Santonio Thomas-DT, Antrel Rolle-CB
2005 OFFENSE

Quarterback
With the departures of the top two quarterbacks on last year's depth chart, former California prep star Kyle Wright, now a sophomore (RS), heads into the spring as the odds-on-favorite to earn the starting nod. Despite only playing in two games last season and throwing just nine passes, the 6-foot-5 sophomore quarterback is the most experienced signal-caller on the roster. Wright, considered by many to be the top quarterback in the class of 2003, possesses a strong arm, mobility and a solid high school resume - he was named the 2002-03 Gatorade National High School Football Player of the Year, which combines on- and off-field accomplishments. In other words, mature and a natural leader. In two years as the starter for Monte Vista (Danville, Calif.) High, Wright threw for nearly 6,000 yards, with 66 TDs and only 10 interceptions. With a solid running game behind him, speedy wideouts and dependable tight ends - all Hurricane staples -Wright will develop into one of I-A's elite quarterbacks. Miami has finally found its reliable replacement for Ken Dorsey…phew (and that's not from the 80º temps of UM's November afternoon kickoffs). Freshman (RS) Kirby Freeman is the only other scholarship quarterback on the roster and will be given equal opportunity to win the starting job, but Wright, not Freeman, heads into the spring taking snaps with the first team offense. Walk-on Trey Burkin will run the scout team.

Running Back
In addition to a new quarterback, the Hurricanes will also have a new starting running back. But Miami is not lacking in depth in the offensive backfield. The Hurricanes' second and third leading rushers in 2004, junior Tyrone Moss and senior Quadtrine Hill both saw significant action last year, which will help Wright as he grows into his role as the new field general. Moss should start at tailback, with Hill at fullback. However, Moss will be slowed during the spring - he reportedly had arthroscopic shoulder surgery. Sophomore Andrew Johnson (6.9 60-yard speed, indoor prep champ), who played in six games already with his inside-the-tackle toughness, will be expected to contribute more, though, he is rehabilitating a torn ACL injury and will also be limited in the spring, if he takes the field then at all. That leaves sophomore Charlie Jones (37" vertical leap), another highly recruited TB who saw action, and sophomore Derron Thomas (4.33 40) to get the bulk of the carries in the spring. All of these guys are similar in size (about 6' and 200lbs.), and can give a hit when tackled to get those extra few yards. Injuries would have to decimate this group before any weaknesses showed.

Receiver
This position is almost a carbon-copy of running back. Roscoe Parrish declared, but again, the 'Canes are loaded at wideout. Senior Sinorice Moss, juniors Darnell Jenkins, Akieem Jolla and Ryan Moore and sophomore Lance Leggett all return with significant experience. Senior Sinorice Moss and soph Lance Leggett are expected to get the starting nods, but five capable wide-outs should rotate. Leggett, who averaged over 20 yards per reception in 2004 is a big-play receiver (four TDs). Moss, too, will again stretch the field for the 'Canes and be their big-play receiver this season. Other back-ups are possession receivers. Add sophomore two-letterman (on 'Cane's track team, too) and former-CB Terrell Walden to the mix for even more speed, and junior cornerback/kick returner Devin Hester can, too, only quicken this corps. Like the running back position, Miami has a history of new receivers rising to the challenge when given the chance in the spotlight, and this year, the 'Canes have many prospects to do just that. Opposing secondaries will look silly in open-field tackling situations with such physical receivers.

Tight End
Following Franks, Shockey, Winslow, and now the recently-departed Kevin Everett, predictably, Miami still has a stable of tight ends. This year, sophomore Greg Olsen is the best of the bunch, with senior Buck Ortega backing him. Olson's dependability should help Kyle Wright's development at quarterback. However, like a number of other Hurricanes, Olsen may not take the field in the spring while recovering from a broken wrist. Ortega is more than capable as a starter, but Miami likes to run two-TE sets and will use the spring to add depth to the position. In the mix could be one of Miami's many highly recruited freshmen, 6'6" Dajleon Farr, a talented, dual-threat. Tradition at this position lapses only slightly.

Offensive Line
The injury bug hit this unit hard last season, but the return of two starting guards, seniors Tony Tella and Tyler McMeans, and senior tackle Rashad Butler, plus the return of potential all-American (NC.net all-American Honorable mention) tackle Eric Winston, will help the 'Canes break in a new starting center, probably Anthony Wollschlager. As with most teams, the success of the offensive line can make or break the season, especially with new starters at quarterback and running back, but this is not a standard offensive line; it averages over 310 pounds, including mammoth backups. This is an area within which many annually underestimate the Canes' ability to achieve in those years when restocking. Most wind up regretting such doubt, as foes then try to take the license plate of whichever Miami player motored over them. These athletic behemoths will be coming right at a defensive line soon in a stadium near you, so check the listings and go see guys sure to be playing Sundays soon.

OFFENSIVE BREAKDOWN
Miami is looking at consistent play from the quarterback position for the first time since the 2001 and 2002 seasons, both BCS title game campaigns. The offense can only improve by Miami's standards, for the Berlin years were painful, at best. When the offense comes together (likely, that will be soon enough to get past the Seminoles in the opener, as FSU also reloads at QB), the Hurricanes will then have some time to let the unit gel. The run will set up the pass until such a formula is stopped, a tough task for any foe that doesn't match up well up front. Once that is established, this squad should become a big-play unit, actually improving on their 31 points per game average. A seemingly slow start here gets rolling by mid-season, with both running and passing cylinders again firing well by then.

 

PR/KR/DB Devin Hester

 

MIAMI FL 2005 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/
Key Players
OFFENSE
QB Kyle Wright-So (6-5, 208) Kirby Freeman-Fr (6-3, 195)
FB Quadtrine Hill-Sr (6-2, 221) James Bryant-So (6-3, 235)
TB Tyrone Moss-Jr (5-10, 221) Charlie Jones-So (5-11, 206)
Derron Thomas-Fr (5-9, 185)
WR Lance Leggett-So (6-4, 175) Darnell Jenkins-Jr (5-10, 183)
WR Ryan Moore-Jr (6-3, 215) Sinorice Moss-Sr (5-8, 182)
TE Greg Olsen-So (6-6, 247) Buck Ortega-Sr (6-5, 224)
OT Eric Winston-Sr (6-7, 310) Chris Rutledge-Fr (6-7, 290)
OG Tony Tella-Sr (6-5, 298) Andrew Bain-So (6-3, 334)
C Tyrone Byrd-Fr (6-6, 283) Anthony Wollschlager-Jr (6-6, 291)
Alex Pou-Jr (6-4, 281)
OG Tyler McMeans-Sr (6-5, 337) Derrick Morse-So (6-5, 325)
OT Rashad Butler-Sr (6-5, 286) Cyrim Wimbs-So (6-5, 325)
K Jon Peattie-Jr (6-3, 207) Mark Gent-Sr (6-1, 207)

 

2005 DEFENSE

Defensive Line
All four starters return, however, there looks to be some reshuffling needed after the team struggled against the run last season, giving up 155 yards per game that way as they allowed 215 running first-downs. Extremely agile senior Orien Harris will lead the unit from one defensive tackle position, probably paired with rather green junior Kareem Brown. Senior Thomas Carroll and junior Baraka Atkins (played mostly tackle last campaign) have proven they will each be in opponents' backfields early and effectively. Foes, take heed: in past years when Miami has been considered marginal on this line, too, they have always proven such scouting wrong and have had banner years that eventually produces future NFL first-round picks. This supremely-talented group will bounce back and will ultimately make jaws drop by mid-season with lightning penetration and lateral prowess.

Linebacker
Similar to the front four, the three starters in 2004 all return, but in order to get the best players and athletes on the field, last year's starting middle linebacker, Roger McIntosh may move outside. Now a senior, McIntosh (4.4-40) is expected to start on the strong-side, while senior Leon Williams bumps his needed talents into the middle. Junior Tavares Gooden (state prep discuss champ, also runs 11.0-sec in 100 meters) returns as the starting weak-side linebacker. But all eyes will be on sophomore Willie Williams, the highly recruited local product, who is considered by many to be a star in the making. Adaptable sophomore Jon Beason, who saw significant time last year on the strong side, will team with fellow sophomores Glenn Cook (five TFLs in 15 total tackles) and Romeo Davis, to provide solid depth. From top to bottom, this whole crew is equally strong in stopping both running and (underneath) passing dimensions. Changed assignments, play-action, and/or whatever the substitution pattern, Miami predicates its corps on speed and solid/sure hitting, and that will again make any short-yardage receivers fear for their very lives.

Defensive Back
This is the one unit on the defensive side of the ball that has to replace one of the best players in the nation. Antrel Rolle single-handedly shut down one side of the field. As the 'Canes lose this first-round draft pick, this doesn't mean that there will be a significant drop in the level play from their 9th-ranked (nationally) defensive backfield. NC.net third-team all-American strong safety Greg Threat is now the backbone with his omniscient presence (led team in tackles). Junior free safety Brandon Meriweather and senior Kelly Jennings come back to roaming the defensive backfield. Senior cornerback Marcus Maxey or Devin Hester, who had four interceptions last season, will move into the starting lineup. The best part is that both knows the position well, so there is no drop-off with either relegated to nickel/dime packages. Hester's special team's role could affect this decision. Also providing depth will be sophomore free safety Anthony Reddick (two blocked kicks) and highly-touted freshman safety Kenny Phillips, a local (Carol City) strong safety who was named the USA Today Defensive Player of the Year in 2004 (prep teammate of standout linebacker Willie Williams). Any identity establishment or gelling won't take long for this agile, smash-mouth unit.

DEFENSIVE BREAKDOWN
Defense is again a 'Cane strength. Despite underachieving last time, this highly talented/experienced unit will take their hard-learned lessons and be much improved. Marginal (unusually un-Hurricane-like) offensive shortcomings were definitively responsible for adding just enough extra responsibility here so that their then-young defense had too much to handle. What a problem other teams would love to have - finishing 24th overall on defense and still complaining - but that is a reality for the huge and deserved annual expectations of the D here in Dade. With ten returning starters, the defensive unit will be the key to any Miami success. With an added year of experience, this unit should live up to the standards set by Miami over the past five years. Speedy bigmen and plastering DBs will again balance to make the whole defense a top 10 unit, nationally. With so many athletic role-players, Miami just plays a basic, few-frills defense and stops opponents easily this old-school way. When this defense dominates the way it used to, there is no reason the Hurricanes should not be competing for the ACC crown and a BCS title game birth.

 

DT Orien Harris

 

MIAMI FL 2005 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/
Key Players/Injured
DEFENSE
DE Bryan Pata-Jr (6-4, 267) Javon Nanton-Sr (6-3, 240)
DT Baraka Atkins-Jr (6-4, 263) Teraz McCray-Jr (6-0, 286)
Dwayne Hendricks-Fr (6-4, 246)
DT Orien Harris-Sr (6-4, 300) Kareem Brown-Jr (6-5, 301)
Joe Joseph-Fr (6-4, 270)
DE Thomas Carroll-Sr (6-5, 230) Eric Moncur-Fr (6-3, 264)
SLB Roger McIntosh-Sr (6-3, 237) Tavares Gooden-Jr (6-1, 220)
MLB Leon Williams-Sr (6-4, 237) Romeo Davis-So (6-2, 208)
WLB Jon Beason-So (6-1, 220) Willie Williams-Fr (6-3, 230)
CB Kelly Jennings-Sr (6-0, 177) Glenn Sharpe-Jr (5-11, 181)
CB Devin Hester-Jr (5-11, 185) Marcus Maxey-Sr (6-3, 198)
SS Greg Threat-Sr Brandon Meriweather-Jr (6-1, 184)
FS Anthony Reddick-So (6-0, 188) Lovon Ponder-Fr (6-0, 195)
P Brian Monroe-Jr (6-2, 201) Jon Peattie-Jr (6-3, 207)

 

 

2005 SPECIAL TEAMS

Kicker
Junior kicker Jon Peattie returns after a decent sophomore season. Peattie hopes to improve on when he made 15-of-24 field goals (62.5 percent). Peattie is a reliable kicker with a decent leg - his longest kick was 49 yards. Monroe is a more than capable kicking off. He consistently kicks the ball inside the 5-yard line and had 18 touchbacks.

Punter
Junior punter Brian Monroe averaged 41+ landed 20 inside the opponent's 20. He, along with the net results, should again be of the tops in the nation.

Return Game
As usual, the 'Canes are in good shape here. NC.net second-team all-American PR Kevin Hester had 19 punt returns for a 17-yard average with three scores. Reddick and Moss will also compete for time returning punts. Hester also had a 30-yard KR average, including a 100-yard score. Jenkins will also return kicks in 2005.

 

 
QB
When it came to deciding on a starting QB, offensive coordinator Dan Werner and head coach Larry Coker came to the same conclusion - Kyle Wright. But the decision was not as easy as some may tell. In the words of Werner, "Wright seems a little ahead when it comes to knowledge of the offense. Kirby (Freeman) knows he had catching up to do being a year behind (of Wright)." Coaches wanted an early decision so they would know ASAP for summer/fall overall offensive preparations. Wright has done some physical work since arriving to Miami. His 40-speed was clocked at 4.58 seconds, equal with the speedy Freeman. He has added ten pounds of muscle, too. According to fellow players, they feel Wright will live up to his hype. He will make a bad play or two, but then will have ten good plays. Both QBs are talented and both can win. By more than just the coaches' account, the battle between both was almost too close to call this spring. The battle wasn't smooth, especially due to the constant pressure applied by the D (see OL problems). Both displayed the ability to scramble, an aspect which should play a huge role. Both also need to learn to make quicker reads and decisions. In the spring game, Wright was the better performer:

SPRING GAME QB STATS
Kyle Wright, 10-of-13 for 152 yards, two TDs
Kirby Freeman, 7-of-18 for 109 yards, two INTs

***Note - Kirby was playing with the second team offense versus the first team defense.

RB
Tyrone Moss was sidelined this spring with a shoulder injury, and Andrew Johnson is rehabilitating a torn ACL. Thus, two of the younger RBs saw plenty of reps. TB Derron Thomas and FB James Bryant made the most of the time and are in-line to see plenty of action. Thomas passed Charlie Jones on the depth chart and spent the final two weeks of spring with the first unit. Coaches originally felt Thomas was a third-down back prior to spring, but his long runs during practice have changed that perception. FB James Bryant is a former-LB and has really made an impression, notably in the lead-blocking department. He also has been catching the ball well (out of the backfield). His 34-yard reception in the Spring Game was just one of his spring highlights. The incumbent - Quadtrine Hill, a smaller FB - remains on the first team, for now. It's seems only a matter of time before Bryant takes the reigns. Tyrone Moss has lost over ten pounds, and the cracked bone in his shoulder that he played with all season is almost fully healed. George Timmons has moved from defense to TB, but saw few carries.

WR
Lance Legget fractured a bone in his foot in a late March practice, and doctors recommended immediate surgery. Legget declined and chose to let the bone heal by itself so he would not miss part of the 2005 season. The progress has been going well. He is on a rehab schedule to be available at the start of fall drills and has been running full speed. This spring was all about Ryan Moore. His case of "the dropsies" from last year must have been cured, for he snarled everything in sight, including some dazzling ones. He also displayed a reinvigorated burst of speed (also lost ten pounds). Depth has been plentiful. Sinorice Moss has shown some flashes, as has Darnell Jenkins, although both missed early spring with injures. Inconsistency befell Akieem Jolla this spring, as his concentration appears off, leading to his own fumblitous. Converted-CB (and sprinter for UM track) Terrell Walden is expected to add another dimension of depth once he returns this fall from a leg injury.

TE
This position (for the first time in this millennium) appears thin since Buck Ortega was out with an ankle sprain and Greg Olsen remained limited with a broken wrist. Only one scholarship TE was available, and that was a converted DE, Chris Zellner. Miami needs Ortega and Olsen healthy, which will likely be the case when fall arrives. Look for incoming recruit Dajleon Farr to be pushed quickly into playing shape.

OL
The horrid OL performance this spring caused some panic amongst the Cane faithful. There were too many muffed snaps; also, QBs did not have any time to throw while the running game was bottled up on most occasions. Much has been attributed to the injury bug, as up to six potential/former starters sat out at some point. Former starters Eric Winston and Tony Tella sat out the entire spring. Center Alex Pou and tackle Chris Rutledge missed the late part of spring, while Derrick Morse broke a bone in his foot in the final week and still needs a pin inserted. The good news...all are expected back for the start of fall. The biggest concern appears to be at center. Upwards of six players were given a chance. Converted OT Tyrone Byrd may be the best of the bunch despite problems snapping the ball. OG Tyler McMeans is still trying to lose weight (342 pounder). He needs to be at 320 to be effective, according to coaches. As for the progress of former all-American Eric Winston's bum knee problems, he is running and doing everything needed, with no restrictions as he gets his speed back to par. He feels by mid-summer he should be competing in any/all drills, which would make him 100% when players report back in August.

DL
This group just dominated the OL all spring. Senior Orien Harris, who started every game last year, missed most of spring with a minor injury, but will be available for the fall. The plight for tackle Teraz McCray is not as positive. A torn ACL suffered during spring practice may mean he's lost for the year. Baraka Atkins is making a full-time switch to tackle from end. There is enough talent on the inside so that no starting job is a sure thing, a good problem to have.

LB
Jon Beason has been starting on the outside with the back injury to senior Roger McIntosh, who will return this fall and is likely to regain his spot. A possibility exists that Willie Williams could bump in front of either Tavares Gooden or Leon Williams for starting duties. Most felt Willie Williams would quickly earn the starting MLB spot, but the elevated play of Leon Williams did not allow such a transaction.

DB
The secondary had a solid spring, but much of that had to due with the pressure put on QBs (see OL problems). Kelly Jennings has nailed down one of the corner spots. On the other corner is a battle between Marcus Maxey and Devin Hester. Hester, a true burner, was labeled the fastest man on campus with a recorded 40 time under 4.3 seconds, the only player on the roster to accomplish such a feat. But he has still been slow to pick up the tools required to played corner, while Maxey had a huge spring. Coach Coker said if the opener were today, Maxey would be starting. Backup corner Rashaun Jones underwent shoulder surgery after spring and may not be available. Strong safety and free safety are interchangeable in this system. Three players are vying for starting time, so it is between Meriweather, Threat and Reddick (who appears to be the only lock to earn first team duties). Quality depth means many will see the field, the key for keeping legs fresh in Coral Gables' heat. Threat was forced to play at corner this spring due to injuries with Carlos Armour and Rashaun Jones. He's not projected to line up at CB come fall, but anything (interchangeability) is possible with so much speed and talent. Never underestimate the power and prowess of a Miami Hurricane secondary!!!