Hurricane Linebackers Among Nation's Toughest

April 9, 2003

CORAL GABLES, Fla. (www.hurricanesports.com) – – From Ray Lewis to Nate Webster to Dan Morgan, the Miami Hurricanes have always had great linebackers. This season, the names Jonathan Vilma and D.J. Williams may be added to that list as the Hurricanes will present their opponents with what could be the best group of linebackers in the nation.

“I’ll tell you what, we’re as talented as anybody in the country,” Miami linebackers coach Vernon Hargreaves said. “We’ve got guys who’ve played for a long time, who’ve started for a long time, and they’re good athletes. I truly believe they can be the best there is.”

Hargreaves added emphatically that this is the best group of linebackers he has been around in his football career. Both Vilma and Williams were semifinalists for the Butkus Award (presented to the nation’s top linebacker) last season and are among just five players returning to the field who were considered for that honor. In addition, the Hurricanes will be bolstered by what they hope will be a breakout season from strongside linebacker Rocky McIntosh.

With the youth of the Hurricanes along the defensive front, linebacker play will be essential to stopping the run, especially with such gifted backs as Florida State’s Greg Jones and Virginia Tech’s Kevin Jones on the menu for 2003.

“(Linebacker play is) always going to be a part of our run defense, no matter what happens to us up front, even last year with those upperclassmen we had,” Hargreaves said. “It’s going to be just as important this year and I think that, because of our experience, we need to draw on that and give those guys something to look and make them feel good about playing.”

“The defense has to change,” Vilma said. “Everyone is going to say that we have young d-lineman. They’re going to say the same thing that they’ve been saying for the past three years. We’ve got to stop the run, and the linebackers have got to step up.”

Latest in a Legacy

As a sophomore, Vilma established himself as the heart of the Hurricanes’ defense from the middle-linebacker position. On the field and in the classroom, Vilma has been a model citizen. In 2002, he and teammate Matt Walters were both selected as first-team Verizon Academic All-Americans.

A year and a half later, he is still reminded of the two punishing hits he delivered in the Rose Bowl, both of which were among the national championship game’s most memorable highlights as the Hurricanes crushed Nebraska, 37-14. Following the Hurricanes’ loss at the Fiesta Bowl in January, however, Vilma has put past bowls behind him and is looking forward to another chance to play for the national championship next January in New Orleans.

“That (loss to Ohio State) still hurts,” he said. “But we can’t do anything about that now. We just have to move forward and look forward to the Sugar Bowl.”

In an interview last season, Vilma said that the example provided by Dan Morgan’s work ethic motivated him as an underclassman. Now, coaches and players observe that Vilma’s work ethic has been infectious to those around him.

“I think those guys (the defense) understand how hard he works and, to be in that role, it’s important that you kind of lead a little bit by example so that what you do carries a little bit of weight,” Hargreaves said. “Everybody around him and on this defense, I think, looks up to him and sees what he’s done.”

Last season, Vilma led the team in tackles with 133. In his senior year, he hopes to make a similar impact.

“From myself, I expect consistency,” he said. “I expect to make the plays I’m supposed to make and even make a few of the plays that I’m not supposed to make. I feel that if I just worry about the little things and try to stay constant, true to myself and not try to overwork or overdo things and try to push the issue, I think I’ll be all right. That’s the kind of season I expect.”

Rare Talent

D.J. Williams was among the most highly touted players in the nation coming out of high school. Many called him the most heavily recruited player in the history of college football and one writer referred to him as “the next Bo Jackson.” John Madden exclaimed that Williams could have leapt directly from high school to the NFL.

The USA Today Defensive Player of the Year coming out of high school and the recipient of numerous accolades, Williams wanted to play offense his first season and was granted a spot at fullback. After a one-season stint on the offensive side of the ball, Williams was moved back to his more natural linebacker position and has flourished over the past two seasons.

“He has all the athletic ability you could imagine,” Vilma said. “Size, speed, agility . . . he’s got everything from an athletic standpoint.”

ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper said that Williams would likely have been a first-round pick in 2003, but should rise to elite top-10 status having stuck around for another season. Williams’ startling explosiveness and physical play earned him second-team All-BIG EAST honors, as well, as the honor of being a Butkus Award semifinalist last season.

Williams was second on the team in 2002 with 108 tackles. He tied with defensive linemen Jerome McDougle and William Joseph in number of tackles for loss (16) and distinguished himself with his explosiveness and pursuit.

Up-and-Comer

Last season as a redshirt freshman, Rocky McIntosh was quick to earn a starting spot at strongside linebacker on the Hurricanes’ roster. Coach Larry Coker explained that McIntosh was still learning the position as a starter in 2002 but, like Ray Lewis before him, he had the athletic ability to compensate for any mental errors he might commit.

“He has so much ability, man, he has so much ability,” Vilma emphasized. “He’s as athletic as any linebacker out there. He’s fast, quick, he likes to hit and he’s just what we need at ‘Sam’ (strong-side linebacker).”

Hargreaves noted that McIntosh’s learning curve has accelerated since last season.

“He’s coming along great,” Hargreaves said. “He’s made as much progress from last year to this year as D.J. made last year from the previous year. That’s all you can ask for – that each year they get a little bit better, things come a little bit faster to them and they pick up the level.”

McIntosh said that a great deal of his education has come from observing more experienced players and learning form them.

“All the older guys are good leaders and they’re great role models for the younger guys,” he said.

Last season, McIntosh had 43 tackles including eight for a loss in 2002.

In reserve

In addition to having perhaps the best group of starting linebacker in the country, UM may also have rare depth at the position.

Although Hargreaves may wish there were defensive formations that called for six or seven linebackers instead of the standard three, he knows that quality depth will be a luxury for UM this season with such superb athletes as Leon Williams emerging from the bench.

“You’d like to give everybody an opportunity to play,” Hargreaves said. “But the good news is that if we ever get a guy banged up, we have some real quality players who can go in and play. That’s the kind of program this is.”

Moreover, some of the Hurricanes’ top special teams athletes are listed on the roster as linebackers.

“They’re all pretty good,” Hargreaves said. “I think that Leon (Williams) obviously brings some things to the table, he’s a big strong guy. Darrell (McClover) has played and now he’s got a little bit more confidence. Jarrell (Weaver) is kind of our swing guy and he can do a little bit of everything. They all have their strengths and certainly they’re all special teams performers for us so they do a lot for the football team.”