2015 Virginia Tech Opponent Q&A Preview: Miami

By: Pierson Booher @piersonbooher on August 11, 2015, 7:25 AM | 52 comments

Miami Freshman QB Brad Kaaya signals to his offense before a play in the first quarter. [Mark Umansky]

Between now and fall practice, we're going to take a walk through the 2015 Hokies schedule and preview each opponent with the people that follow them every day. We will be taking a look back at last season and spring practice, as well as attempting to forecast the year ahead.

Former Big East foes Virginia Tech and Miami will face off once again this fall in a battle that will impact the ACC Coastal Division race. Despite returning talented signal caller Brad Kaaya, the Canes lost a number of household names, including running back Duke Johnson and linebacker Denzel Perryman. But as founding father Benjamin Franklin once said, "In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death, taxes and talented playmakers at The U." In an effort to learn a bit more about Al Golden's bunch and how he intends to replace a number of longtime playmakers, we asked our friends at State of the U to provide some insight. I had the pleasure of exchanging questions and answers with Jerry Steinberg at State of the U. Jerry's answers to my questions are below, and you can find my answers at State of the U.

After thoroughly dominating the Hokies in Blacksburg last season, the Canes followed up a win over UNC with four straight losses to close out the season on a sour note. What has the off-season sentiment been surrounding this program, and what are realistic expectations for the team this year?

The fans, alumni, media, and past Hurricanes players alike, all head into 2015 dissatisfied and uncertain about the future of this program. 6-7 is unacceptable at any time for UM. But when you consider how many players they had selected in the NFL Draft, it is especially hard to swallow. General consensus is that Head Coach Al Golden needs something resembling major improvement on the field to retain his job. Perhaps nothing short of winning the ACC Coastal Crown will be accepted. And while the team has largely underachieved under this staff, they still have the talent up and down the roster to, at a minimum, contend for the Coastal. I do not believe anything more than that is realistic. Personally I think this is an 8-4 squad. 10-2 if they overachieve. Another 6-6 season or worse would be disastrous and likely lead to change.

Though sophomore quarterback Brad Kaaya was widely seen as a future star, few expected such a mature and efficient performance in his debut season. Do you see Kaaya continuing to build off of his freshman season and take another step in his development, or do you feel that he may have overachieved and could regress a bit in Year Two?

Kaaya is the real deal, and the biggest reason for optimism heading into this season. I have no doubt that based on his reported work ethic, his natural abilities, and watching/listening to him take on a much larger leadership role this off-season he will continue to develop. The real questions are about the players around him. Miami does have a deep receiving corps, including talented players like Rashawn Scott, Stacy Coley and Braxton Berrios, just to name a few. But the offensive line is young and inexperienced. Players like K.C. McDermott and Trevor Darling are certainly talented, but they are still green. If the 'Canes keep Kaaya upright, he will have a tremendous season. But keep an eye on pass protection for UM. If he takes a lot of punishment it could hinder his otherwise very promising potential.

In the absence of Duke Johnson, how do you see mighty mite Joseph Yearby faring this season as the feature back and where does he compare to other Hurricane rushers of yore?

While I love Yearby's skills, I do not think he will be the feature back. Don't get me wrong he will get plenty of touches, and especially help out in the passing game. But I expect Gus Edwards to lead the team in rushing this season. Reports out of the spring and heading into fall camp are that the 235 pound Edwards has really stepped up his game. Add to the mix highly touted true freshman Mark Walton, who will see a lot of game action from the onset of the season, and you have more of a three headed monster at TB than what Miami had featuring Johnson the past few seasons.

Several longtime defensive studs have moved on to the NFL since last season, including defensive anchor Denzel Perryman, Anthony Chickillo and Thurston Armbrister. Who are some of the players expected to step up to lead the Hurricane defense this season?

Perryman will be impossible to replace. He wasn't the Butkus Award runner-up last season for nothing. But Raphael Kirby was pretty good last year at OLB and will get first crack to replace DP52 in the middle. He should be solid if not spectacular. By season's end, all around defensive dynamo Jermaine Grace had already displaced Armbrister for PT. Look for even more from Grace this season. And while Chick was solid, the return of big time prospect Al-Quadin Muhammad (suspended all of 2014) and the development of former 5 star DE Chad Thomas, more than make up for his loss. Keep an eye on DT Courtel Jenkins, mainstay S Deon Bush, and CB's Artie Burns and Corn Elder to be big time playmakers on D as well.

Who are some of the breakout performers from this past spring, as well as incoming freshmen, that you expect to make an impact this upcoming season?

Aforementioned Grace could be special on D. Muhammad and Thomas are also potentially (potentially being the key word) a pair of NFL type bookends if they reach their potential. On offense, I really think TE Standish Dobard will come into his own now that Clive Walford is in the NFL. Among the freshman, I expect Walton at RB and big time safety prospect Jaquan Johnson to hit the ground running.

Last question: Is this the year that The U is truly back?

Not at all. Back for "The U" means contending for National Championships. This team will be happy to contend for the ACC Coastal. Who knows when or if the program will reach those heights again. Certainly with the talent they have in the backyard to recruit from, it is always possible. But it feels at least a few more big recruiting classes away. Perhaps even a major staff overhaul as well.