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Miami Hurricanes Football 2016 Player Profile: Jermaine Grace

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 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.

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Jermaine Grace

LB - 6'1 205 Senior - Miramar H.S.

2015 Statistics:  79 tackles, 6 TFL, 2 sacks, 5 pass break-ups.

Led UM in tackles last season in a break out campaign.

Excellent athlete who runs the 40 in the 4.4-4.5 range.

All of his talents were on display this spring and he should be poised for another big season:

Here's a look back at some of his best plays from last year:

Summary: There is arguably no player on the defensive roster who should benefit more from new DC Manny Diaz' attacking 4-3 scheme, than Jermaine Grace. And he was already pretty good in the previous regime's defense, despite not being an ideal fit for it.  The senior to be is outstanding as a blitzer, an excellent tackler, can make plays out in space, and run down ball carriers from the weak side.  The only concern with Grace, is his size.  He's not exactly what you want setting the edge at 210 pounds, but he makes up for it with great instincts, speed to burn, and a knack for shedding blockers.  Given free reign to read, react, and attack should make him even better this year.  Grace reminds me a lot of former UM LB Sean Spence, who was a terror despite being on the smaller side. I expect Grace to rack up 80-90 tackles this year and double digits in sacks and TFL combined.  A few INTs and forced fumbles would also go a long way in helping the 'Canes D. He'll also need to continue providing leadership for younger LB's like Shaq Quarterman and Michael Pinckney, something he was praised for by the coaches this spring. Overall, Grace is going to be a lot of fun to watch this season.