The CaneSport On3: Who would be the best Miami Hurricanes to play as in a video game?

The last time there was an NCAA football game available to play on your PlayStation, Xbox or other console was back in 2013 – that was EA Sports’ NCAA Football 14. That ended due to legal issues surrounding player name, image and likeness. Now? With players able to benefit from NIL, EA Sports is planning to release its next generation college football game in the summer of 2024 … assuming players opt in and with lawsuits notwithstanding. It’s currently being developed, so eventually you can “play” your Miami Hurricanes.

UM loses to FSU on a Saturday? You can go ahead and beat the heck out of the Seminoles on Sunday.

Or, better yet, Miami beats FSU on Saturday and then you turn on your console and beat the Noles again the following day.

The old versions of the game had only numbers and no names on the back of uniforms. Look for that to change. There also was a special mode where you could play as a team made up of only mascots. Maybe that will be retained.

Regardless, it’s certainly a fun exercise to pick out the five current Miami Hurricanes we think would be the best to play as in the game.

Note that this list isn’t based on past production, ACC honors or anything else … other than pure physical attributes. So, without further ado, here you go (and we are going to include a few Madden-esque ratings with 99 the highest for good measure … note that anything above 90 is generally considered very good/excellent):

5. WR RAY RAY JOSEPH

Ray Ray Joseph (photo by Neil Gershman)

Joseph may not have played a down of college football yet, but you can see his difference-making potential from his high school play and through the spring game including a long TD. He relies on pure speed and also elusiveness … which can sure make him fun to play in a video game, right?

Projected ratings we would give him: 90 overall, 90 speed, 92 acceleration, 60 strength, 91 agility, 91 catching, 93 deep route running

(For a sample top receiver Madden rating you can check out Justin Jefferson here)

4. OG JAVION COHEN

Is it fun to “play” an offensive lineman? Probably not. But it is fun to have an elite talent on the offensive line, so Cohen makes the cut. If your thing is protecting the QB, then Cohen is your guy. The 6-4, 305-pounder has great leverage and there’s a reason he was an All-SEC pick while on Alabama’s offensive line. A projected first round draft pick, he excels as a pass blocker and has plus ability in the run game. Got to keep your QB clean in the pocket, right?

Projected ratings we would give him: 90 overall, 88 strength, 63 agility, 85 toughness, 87 run block, 95 pass block, 90 run block power/pass block power

(For a sample top receiver Madden rating you can check out OG Zack Martin here)

3. RB MARK FLETCHER

Yes, he’s a true freshman, but if you want a running back that can put out a stiff arm, run over guys and has plus speed on top of it, Fletcher’s your guy. There’s no back on Miami’s roster with his combination of traits. It’s fun to watch a back break tackles and take it to the house, right?

Projected ratings we would give him: 91 overall, 85 speed, 88 strength, 85 agility, 90 toughness, 92 trucking, 90 stiff arm, 94 break tackle

(For a sample top receiver Madden rating you can check out Derrick Henry here)

2. DT LEONARD TAYLOR

Leonard Taylor (photo by Neil Gershman)

Taylor has a world of potential and the only thing holding him back is consistency. But he can’t take a play off if you’re controlling him in the video game universe, right? His power and get-off is among the nation’s best for an interior defensive lineman, and he’ll run or jump over some O linemen which is always fun to see on your computer screen. He has a high success rate pressuring the QB and making tackles.

Projected ratings we would give him: 92 overall, 80 speed, 90 acceleration, 90 strength, 92 agility, 85 tackle, 95 block shedding

(For a sample top receiver Madden rating you can check out Aaron Donald here)

1. S JAMES WILLIAMS

Sorry All-American Kam Kinchens. On a purely physical level we’re taking Williams as the video game freak. He’s long, fast, great in pass protection and good enough in run stopping (when healthy). Williams is a magnet for the ball … and the best part is you can control him and make sure he doesn’t wander around the field and freelance too much. Williams is as good as you want in coverage as a safety and is a hard hitter to the point that many think he’ll fit best as a linebacker at the next level.

Projected ratings we would give him: 93 overall, 91 speed, 92 acceleration, 95 agility, 80 tackle, 96 coverage, 95 hit power

(For a sample top receiver Madden rating you can check out Minkah Fitzpatrick here)

HONORABLE MENTION … WITH AN EYE TO THE FUTURE

A year from now perhaps the EA Sports unicorn for Miami could be Jacurri Brown (for a sample QB you can check out Josh Allen here). Who doesn’t want a QB who can run and also has a cannon for an arm? It’s fun when nothing is there to just tuck the ball down, hit the accelerate button and he’s gone down the sideline. Brown just has to get that accuracy part down. We’ll forgo the passer ratings for now with regard to Brown but will go ahead and award him a 92 throw power and 90 toughness. His ball carrier ratings: 90 speed, 88 trucking.

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