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Miami Player Profile: Alex Figueroa

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
Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports

Must Reads

Miami Linebacker Breakdown: Eyes Wide Shut

NOVAcane

The Canes are slowly creeping towards the birth of a new season and many fans are wondering if the defensive scheme that's been seen the last three seasons will show strides towards a top ranking. Besides the much maligned defensive line the linebacking core has also received the brunt of fan criticism.

Must Reads

Miami Linebacker Breakdown: Eyes Wide Shut

Alex Figueroa

Sophomore - LB - 6'3 242 - Stafford, Va

Burst on the scene as a freshman and impressed the coaching staff enough to jump to the top of the depth charts last year with a very solid summer.  But once the season started made just two starts, and racked up only 17 tackles and 1 sack.

"Figatron" has already gained the respect of teammates and coaches alike for his intensity and hard working approach in practice.  The son of two Marines was raised on a military base has the right attitude and also has the ideal size for a LB that Al Golden and Co have been seeking.

But will all of these intangibles lead to on field production?

More on Figs below:

Summary: Figueroa looks and acts the part of a big time player and a future leader on the squad. But all of the hard work he does in the weight room and in practice needs to show up on the field. Miami needs his size and discipline to display itself big time for their beleaguered D.  He runs about a 4.7 40 so he's not a monster in the speed department but as long as he plays smart he should do decent in space as well. Looks for #36 to adjust to the speed of the game much better his second season in Coral Gables and for the mental errors to subside. Once he is comfortable, the aggression UM needs from him should surface. Expect 40 or 50 tackles and 2-3 sacks from Figs this season as he entrenches himself as a 1st and 2nd down LB for the 'Canes.

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