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Miami Football: 5 early bold predictions for 2018 season

By Justin Dottavio

ATLANTA, GA - OCTOBER 01: Shaquille Quarterman #55 of the Miami Hurricanes recovers a fumble for a touchdown during the first half against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Bobby Dodd Stadium on October 1, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - OCTOBER 01: Shaquille Quarterman #55 of the Miami Hurricanes recovers a fumble for a touchdown during the first half against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Bobby Dodd Stadium on October 1, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
(Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

5. Malek Young will be greatly missed

Malek Young will be greatly missed. This isn’t a bold prediction per se, it’s more of a ‘this needs to be said’ type of moment. Young is a very talented man that had a bright future playing football ahead of him, but with a career-ending neck injury he will be going pro in something other than sports.

Young had a stellar freshman campaign where he really came on late in 2016 logging 22 tackles and an interception but it was his play on the man and for the ball that was shinning so bright. In 2017, Young picked up 43 tackles, three tackles for loss and two interceptions. His absence was felt against the Badgers where quarterback Alex Hornibrook was nearly flawless against the ‘Canes secondary.

Without Young, Miami will rely on big play, big mistake Michael Jackson and the young, but uber-talented, Trajan Bandy. Jackson had 43 tackles and four interceptions in 2017 while Bandy, a true freshman, 25 tackles and only one interception — but it was returned for a touchdown against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in a blowout victory.

Defensive back is a position where coaches love to have quality depth because of the three and four wide receiver based offenses of this current era and losing Young will hurt Miami’s rotation and three-cornerback sets. They will also miss his hard work and leadership in the weight room and on the practice field as those intangible qualities are hard to replace.

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