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Miami Freshman Profile: Joe Yearby

In an effort to keep even the most hardcore Miami fan up to date on their favorite players, SOTU will be running a Freshman Profile series. In these posts, our writers will profile UM's newcomers for 2014. 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

Joe Yearby

RB - 5'9 191 - Miami, Fl (Miami Central)

4 or 5 star recruit, depending on which service you subscribe to, and arguably the best player on the best H.S. team in the country last season.

Picked Miami over Alabama, FSU, UF, USC and a host of other top notch programs after his services.

Yearby has good speed (4.5 - 4.6 range) and is stronger than his 191 pound frame (think Duke Johnson as a freshman). But  the traits that really separate him as a runner are his elusiveness, great patience, terrific vision, and his instincts.  Yearby always sets up his blocks nicely and has a genuine knack for making the right read/cut as he probes the hole.

He also shows great potential as a receiving threat out of the backfield or even occasionally in the slot.

Chances He Redshirts (1-10)   - 0

As part of this series we will evaluate if the given newcomer stands a chance to sit out his first season to retain eligibility.

Fuget bout it!!  Pencil Yearby in for at least 50-100 carries this season.  He could end up the clear cut #2 behind Duke Johnson, depending on the development of Gus Edwards. He could also get some looks in the return game. Whatever his role, he WILL see plenty of action.

Summary: Yearby is going to be a nice change of pace runner and an effective sub as a true freshman this year. But starting next season, he has star written all over him. He will definitely bulk up some, and will also probably get a little faster in the 'Canes strength and conditioning program. Combine that with his natural skill set as a runner and you have the makings of a hell of a football player.  Learning from Duke this season should also help his development.  It's a great sign for the program that given the likelihood Johnson moves on to the NFL after this season, UM has such a talented heir apparent in waiting.

More on Yearby HERE

Stay tuned for more Freshman profiles as we count down to Louisville on Labor Day.