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Miami Player Profile: Raphael Kirby

In an effort to keep even the most hardcore Miami fan up to date on their favorite players, SOTU will be running a Player Profile series. In these posts, our writers will profile two players from each position that they think should get more face time. They will recap their previous year, or in some cases, preview what may be to come. That way, when the season get's here, you hopefully will have a new found love for the team on the field.

By Jerry Steinberg
Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Raphael Kirby

Junior - LB - 6'1 235 - Stone Mountain, GA

Contributed on defense and special teams last season, finishing with 10 tackles. 2.5 TFL, and 1 sack.

Former 4 star prospect is in competition with Jermaine Grace for a starting outside LB position.  Has very good size and above average speed (4.6) range.

Was expected to contribute immediately as a freshman before a leg injury sidelined him in a Summer Scrimmage in August 2012.

Why he was so highly touted:

Summary: When I watched Kirby's highlights coming out of H.S. he looked like a hybrid of Arthur Brown and Sean Spence. Like many, I envisioned him as a heat seeking missile of a LB that would annihilate opposing players leaving his mark all over the field. It just hasn't happened. His freshman year was a bust due to injuries, but last season was pretty unproductive as well. When he did get in on D, it looked like he was almost too aggressive taking bad angles and over pursuing plays. Nonetheless I have high hopes that Kirby turns it around this year. He has shifted back and forth between OLB and MLB. I think he is best suited to play on the outside and use his speed to chase down plays. I expect Kirby to step it up and register 40-50 tackles and a collect a few sacks. If not he will find himself on the bench, and playing only on special teams.  He is far too talented for that to happen.

Stay tuned for more player profiles as we count down to Labor Day Vs Louisville.