Miami Football: 5 bold predictions for the Hurricanes in 2017

4. Mark Walton rushes for second straight 1,000-yard season

Last season, Mark Walton rushed for 1,000 yards as the Miami Hurricanes’ primary running back, and 2017 should yield more of the same.

Walton, a 5-foot-9, four-star recruit from Miami, Fla., will be rushing behind an incredibly veteran offensive line comprised of four upperclassmen and a four-star, 345-pound right guard. This line should make it easier for Walton to avoid initial contact at the line of scrimmage and get into space at the second level, where he can deliver even more damage.

Additionally, having a loaded stable of offensive weapons like Braxton Berrios, Ahmmon Richards and Christopher Herndon will take the focus off of Walton and make for a more balanced Hurricanes attack.

Where teams could have easily stacked the box with as many as eight defenders while facing the Hurricanes last season, that will be much harder to do with speedy receivers spread out wide and a veteran tight end occupying the under routes.

But perhaps the biggest reason why Mark Walton could be Miami’s first running back to run for two consecutive 1,000-yard seasons since Duke Johnson might be because of new starting quarterback Malik Rosier.

Adding a dual-threat quarterback to Miami’s backfield will allow head coach Mark Walton to employ more run-pass options and read-option running plays, which will inevitably open up the running game for Walton. Expect Richt to diversify his offense with zone run plays similar to those run by Seattle to optimize Russell Wilson and Marshawn Lynch’s effectiveness in the backfield together.

This additional dimension could be the final piece needed for Miami to finally fielding a complex, top-tier offense to pair with its already strong defense.