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The Miami Hurricanes struggled in 2014, finishing the season with a disappointing 6-7 record, including just 3-5 in ACC play. Despite that record, however, Miami is expected to have a big showing at the 2015 NFL Draft, with at least six players expected to be selected, including offensive tackle Ereck Flowers (No. 9 to the New York Giants) and receiver Phillip Dorsett (No. 29 to the Indianapolis Colts) going in the First Round on Thursday night. Is Al Golden failing to capitalize on the talent of the Canes?
In short: Absolutely.
No player shows the disconnect between the talent on Miami’s roster and the success they have shown on the field quite like Dorsett. Despite never posting a 1,000-yard season at Miami, Dorsett shot up draft boards this offseason thanks his incredible 4.25 speed, elite acceleration off the line, and the quickness to get out of his breaks in a hurry. For whatever reason, that skillset that made him a first round prospect for the NFL went largely under-utilized at Miami.
And he is far from the only one whose NFL prospects far outshine their collegiate accomplishments. Six players on the 2014 Hurricane roster are rated as top 12 players at their position, including Denzel Perryman (No. 2 ILB), Clive Walford (No. 2 TE), Flowers (No. 3 OT), Duke Johnson (No. 5 RB), Dorsett (No. 8 WR), and Anthony Chickillo (No. 11 DE). That’s more than enough talent to expect better than a six-win, sub-.500 season.
The general consensus, both within the program and from scouts on the outside, is that there is no reason that this team should have been 6-7. With the talent coming into the NFL Draft this offseason, the Canes had more than enough firepower to make a run at the ACC title instead of wallowing near the cellar of their division. Something was obviously missing that could translate the raw talent on the team into wins on the field.
And the blame for that has to start at the top with Golden. While the coach deserves credit for his recruiting, bringing all the top talent representing Miami in the NFL draft except for Walford, at some point he has to start refining these top prospects into a winning team. His ability to funnel players into the NFL will help him continue to do well on the recruiting trail but if he can’t start turning that talent into competitive teams that contend for championships, Miami will have no choice but to let him go.
So as the University of Miami watches the NFL Draft with pride, Al Golden is watching with a growing sense of dread. Every Cane that gets drafted is another mark against the job he did as a head coach in 2014 which only amplifies the pressure he faces in 2015.
You can follow Tyler Brett on Twitter @ATylerBrett, on Facebook and on Google.
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