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Jermaine Grace
Junior - LB - 6'1 208 - Miramar H.S.
Really stepped up last season and ranked second on the team in 2014 with 60 tackles, added 6.5 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, and 2 fumbles recovered.
Then really opened some eyes this spring, with the fastest 40 on the roster (reported 4.38).
ICYMI: LB Jermaine Grace, UM's 2nd-leading tackler (60, 6 for loss) last yr without starting a game, is f-a-s-t. http://t.co/6XAzKiaW1I
— Matt Porter (@mattyports) May 21, 2015
Grace is an emerging play maker at LB, who can also cover kicks:
Summary: Grace came to UM as a highly touted prospect, and last season he lived up the hype. He is an aggressive tackler, very athletic, and can create havoc as a blitzer. But as an undersized LB, he wasn't exactly always used as an every down player. With Thurston Armbrister graduated, and Raphael Kirby expected to move to the middle to replace the irreplaceable Denzel Perryman, Grace's role needs to expand. Ideally Juwon Young could man the middle, Kirby could remain on the outside, and Grace could be used more sparingly. Or Grace could just continue to be such a force to be reckoned with, he overcomes his smaller stature somewhat like former 'Canes star Sean Spence and plays wherever and however much is needed. Whatever way he is used, he is clearly a superior talent, and Miami will need him to make a ton of plays in 2015 to help the Hurricanes return to prominence. 70-80 tackles, 4-5 sacks, and 4-5 turnovers forced would all seem in the realm of possibility for the super talented junior.
Stay tuned for more player profiles from SOTU as we count down to kick off.