/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46492302/usa-today-8135289.0.jpg)
Joe Yearby
Sophomore - RB - 5'9 195 - Miami Central H.S.
As a true freshman, ran for 509 yards (5.9 ypc) and 1 TD. Also caught 7 passes for 92 yards and another TD.
Is clearly a star in the making on the field but ran into some issues off the field this spring and is rumored to be suspended (no confirmation) for the start of the season.
Source told me Joe Yearby didn't play in today's spring game because he broke curfew. Golden getting tougher on kids being late
— Manny Navarro (@Manny_Navarro) March 28, 2015
How will this affect his progress on the gridiron? If the rumors are true, it certainly can't help a player who is looking to expand his role with Duke Johnson now in the NFL.
While not as explosive as Johnson, he is definitely good enough to be featured at this level:
Summary: Yearby is a bit smallish, but still runs very well between the tackles because of excellent patience and top level vision. He didn't break a ton of tackles as a freshman, but was an efficient runner nonetheless. He also appears to have very soft hands, and should be a factor in the passing game in 2015. The speedy Yearby also will likely break more long runs with a better feel for the game and an offseason to get even faster. But what is going on with JY outside of football? Very little has gotten out about the situation, but Miami fans have to hope Yearby is a go for the opener. He needs to get a rhythm early and pick up steam heading into the difficult portion of UM's schedule. If he isn't a go, freshman Mark Walton and power back Gus Edwards will get more reps. And while Walton could be even more talented than Yearby, and Edwards brings something to the table Yearby doesn't have (size), neither are the best option in the early going to carry the load. Hurricanes fans will have to hold their collective breathe and hope the rumors are false. If JY doesn't miss any action, a 1,000 yard season and 10-12 TDs are very real possibilities.
Stay tuned for more player profiles from SOTU as we count down to kick off.