MLB Colin McCarthy

[hawkeye]

I think TD said he was looking at him, but I don't really like him. But then again I'm not a pro scout.

http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/11/17/1929396/making-the-most-of-the-middle.html

Before he played his final high school game at Clearwater Central Catholic, Colin McCarthy already was being compared with Dan Morgan.

University of Miami coaches believed McCarthy not only had the potential to be just as good as the All-American, who won the Butkus, Nagurski and Bednarik awards, they also wanted McCarthy to wear Morgan's No. 44 jersey.

Five years later, McCarthy still has never spoken to Morgan, shaken his hand or come close to living up to those rather large expectations. But the 6-3, 240-pound senior has had a productive career -- his 33 career starts and 270 career tackles are more than any Hurricanes linebacker has had since Jonathan Vilma manned the middle of UM's defense and produced 377 career tackles.

And if McCarthy can lead No. 24 UM (7-3, 5-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) to a win over No. 14 Virginia Tech (8-2, 6-0) on Saturday at Sun Life Stadium -- and maybe into the ACC title game if UM gets help from Virginia -- then he will be more than happy with what he has accomplished.

``I guess they always try to compare you to somebody around here,'' said McCarthy, who had 15 tackles last Saturday against Georgia Tech and has 81 tackles, a fumble recovery, an interception and a sack this season. ``When you add up the accomplishments [Morgan] had on the field, not just the NFL, he was a [heck] of a player.

``Obviously, I'm trying to be the same kind of player. I've tried my best to meet those expectations and standards. But I'm still a work in progress.''

Beyond height, weight and a jersey number, McCarthy has a lot in common with Morgan, who finished his UM career with a school-record 532 tackles. Both grew up in the Philadelphia suburbs before moving to Florida, where they starred in high school. Both also spent their first three seasons at UM playing outside linebacker before being switched to middle linebacker as a senior.

SHORT NOTICE

McCarthy's move, however, came just a week before the start of the season when coaches determined after fall camp that senior Kylan Robinson couldn't cut it.

``I didn't get a whole bunch of reps at it in camp,'' McCarthy said. ``At the end of camp I kind of had an idea it might happen, then the week of our first game [coach Randy Shannon] was like, `You're moving there.' ''

``I feel so much more comfortable at this point of the season versus the first week. The biggest challenge was just the angles, my keys, the assignments. Playing outside, it's different from the middle. People may not think it's a big difference, but it is.

``Playing outside, you have more space and kind of just run around. This is more downhill. I kind of like the middle. It's fun.''

Since Vilma left UM in 2003 with 377 career tackles (seventh all-time), the Hurricanes have had trouble finding a steady solution at middle linebacker. Instead of one constant starter, the position has been like a revolving door with players such as Darryl Sharpton, Glenn Cook, Tavares Gooden, Romeo Davis and Leon Williams moving from the outside to the inside -- usually during their senior years.

Shannon said McCarthy started off slow in the middle, but added, ``The last couple of games, he's been really tremendous.'' Since sitting out against Duke on Oct. 16, McCarthy has 46 tackles over his past four games -- including a career-high 18 in the loss at Virginia.

HEART OF THE DEFENSE

``To me, he's done a great job,'' cornerback DeMarcus Van Dyke said. ``He's the heart of our defense -- it all revolves around him. When he moved to middle linebacker this year, I knew it was going to be successful because he can play all three positions.''

McCarthy, who is on track to graduate in December with a degree in business management and a minor in sports administration, said his dream job is to ``retire early, get into coaching or start a family business.''

But he still has plenty of football ahead of him. ESPN ranks McCarthy as the eighth-best outside linebacker and 93rd-best overall prospect regardless of position in the NFL Draft in April. But that part of his future, he said, is far from his mind.

What he wants more than anything is to beat the Hokies, who pounded the Hurricanes 31-7 last season in Blacksburg, Va.

``All I remember about that game was the rain and getting our butts kicked,'' McCarthy said. ``They've got a great team, three great running backs and a quarterback in Tyrod Taylor who is really good.

``We have to man up.''

[hawkeye]

McCarthy's move, however, came just a week before the start of the season when coaches determined after fall camp that senior Kylan Robinson couldn't cut it.

``I didn't get a whole bunch of reps at it in camp,'' McCarthy said. ``At the end of camp I kind of had an idea it might happen, then the week of our first game [coach Randy Shannon] was like, `You're moving there.' ''

``I feel so much more comfortable at this point of the season versus the first week. The biggest challenge was just the angles, my keys, the assignments. Playing outside, it's different from the middle. People may not think it's a big difference, but it is.

``Playing outside, you have more space and kind of just run around. This is more downhill. I kind of like the middle. It's fun.''

Looks like he has that versatility that we like tho. Being able to play inside and out.

[atljbo]

Yup... I remember when i had him in one of my earlier mock drafts.. He remind me of a young Keith Brooking... Does mostly everything good... But nothing great

[A-TowN.-]

He just doesn't wow me. Scott Lutrus is better than him, but IMO both would be a MLB. Colin is not that good in coverage nor is he a great wrap up tackler.

[Kennesaw77]

Not really that impressive. See him as a MLB.

[hudson]

listen im a huge UM fan and live in miami, let me tell you something. This guy is NOT a nfl player. Hes not even a great college player. he is a below average college player. He is thw rost MLB miami has had in the last 20 years. Now hankerson the wr, gimme some of that all day

[gritzblitz]

TD often talks about explosive playmakers even when he talks about Defensive players. I don't see McCarthy as that. Interesting that TD would be scouting him???

[Kennesaw77]

which is what makes me think he was looking at Hankerson.

[gritzblitz]

which is what makes me think he was looking at Hankerson.

Very possible.

In the discussion did TD mention that he was at a UM game scouting a LB & then the interviewer interject with McCarthy??? Have to listen again. How did it get brought up?

[hudson]

even though i dont think he is a first rounder where he will prob go, he could also be looking at brandon harris as well. But i think and hope hankerson. Hankerson has been trained by chris carter in high scholl, and now works with mark duper in the off season. hes not a loud mouth, pefect kinda guy we like. Very reggie wayne like

[Kennesaw77]

Harris isn't a senior so we know it's not him.

[A-TowN.-]

I def think we are scouting Hankerson. We need to a grab a player like him or Binns to bring along as a future number 2. Both reminds me of David Gettis.

[Kennesaw77]

Both reminds me of David Gettis.

and that's a good thing?

[A-TowN.-]

and that's a good thing?

Yeah he has been a nice surprise for the Panthers this year. Have similar speed and size.

[Kennesaw77]

Yeah he has been a nice surprise for the Panthers this year. Have similar speed and size.

Not really.

Not really that important imho.