Yesterday, we started off our 2017 Miami Hurricanes SOTU awards with Game of the Year.

Today, we continue our look back at the 2017 season with the award for Offensive Player of the Year.

And the nominees are:

Quarterback Malik Rosier

Stats: 224-415, 3120 yards, 7.5 yards/att, 54.0% completions, 26 TD, 14 INT, 131.05 rating, 131 carries, 468 yards, 3.57 Y/A, 5 TD

In his first year as a starter, redshirt junior Malik Rosier accumulated nearly 3,600 yards of total offense, led Miami to their first 10-0 start in more than a decade, and in the process set the program record for total TDs in a season (31).

But, all that glitters is not gold. Rosier had a very low completion %, and had some very uneven games. So much so that we (and others) had running commentary through much of the season of “first half Malik” vs “second half Malik”, because of the stark contrast in his play before and after halftime of many games.

Yet and still, the numbers up top are incontrovertible, and they put Rosier up as a nominee for Offensive POY at a bare minimum.

Running Back Travis Homer

Stats: 163 carries, 966 yards, 5.93 Y/A, 8 TD, 18 catches, 219 yards, 12.17 Y/C, TD

Homer started the 2017 season as the backup to Mark Walton at RB, but after Walton broke his ankle midway through Miami’s 24-20 win at Florida State, Homer stepped up into the lead role.

Homer had 5 games of 95+ yards rushing after he took over the starting job, including 170 yards against Georgia Tech and 146 yards against Notre Dame. In addition to his rushing game, Homer reprised his role as an ace special teams coverage player, a place where he starred in 2016.

Wide Receiver Braxton Berrios

Stats: 55 catches, 679 yards, 12.35 Y/C, 9 TD

It may have taken 4 years, but Berrios finally showed the promise that he was billed to have had coming out of HS as a 4-star recruit. Berrios was a consistent receiver on 3rd downs, and showed great route running ability and playmaking ability throughout the season.

Berrios led the Canes with 9 TDs, including 2 scores in Miami’s 24-20 win at Florida State. The senior went out on a high not, and that’s what led to his nomination for the Offensive POY award.

Tight End Christopher Herndon IV

Stats: 40 catches, 477 yards, 11.93 Y/C, 4 TD

Herndon IV was a dynamic player for Miami. He was able to be moved all around the formation, from fullback to H-Back to Tight End to Slot receiver, and played all those positions with equal skill.

Like so many others, Herndon IV had his season cut short by an injury. But, he was incredibly valuable to the offense as both a blocker and receiver. Herndon’s absence was immediately felt, as the Tight End position did not have the depth in 2017 that it previously boasted.

Wide Receiver Ahmmon Richards

Stats: 24 catches, 439 yards, 18.29 Y/C, 3 TD

Plagued by a hamstring injury for the majority of the season, a season which was ended by a torn meniscus later in the year, Richards was unable to repeat his Freshman All-American performance from 2016.

BUT, when he did play, even hobbled, Richards’ presence on the field was a game changer for Miami. The mere threat of Richards on the field as a vertical threat forced defenses to change their coverage to honor his speed and playmaking ability. And that allowed other skill players (ones listed here and others) to find space to operate.

Even with several touchdowns and other highlight reel catches to his credit this season, I think we all know what Richards’ best play of the year was.

Boom.

Wide Receiver Darrell Langham

Stats: 11 catches, 209 yards, 19.00 Y/C, 2 TD, game-winning TD at FSU, game-saving catch vs Georgia Tech

I know his numbers were the biggest, but Darrell Langham’s plays were pretty huge. I mean, the game winning TD at Florida State one week, then the game-saving, tumbling, 4th down catch vs Georgia Tech the next week can be classified in no other way.

Oh, and Langham did most of his damage this year filling in for an injured Ahmmon Richards.

Honorable Mention: RB Mark Walton (only played in parts of 4 games), OL Kc McDermott, WR Jeff Thomas

Those are your nominees for Offensive Player of the Year. Who gets your vote?

Go Canes