When Miami and Pittsburgh square off tonight, it could be the coming party for Hurricanes defensive lineman Allen Bailey.
Top NFL Draft prospect Allen Bailey could break through tonight
Don't know Bailey? You should. He's a hulking power end at 6-foot-4 and 285 pounds. As a draft prospect, he should be mentioned in the same breath at Ohio State's Cameron Heyward.
But tonight could be special for Bailey because he’ll get to play multiple positions on the line. It’s a specialty for Bailey, a linebacker turned lineman.
On a depleted line, Bailey is expected to move from end to tackle on third downs. It’s a move Bailey made several times last season, a breakthrough year. When he played inside in 2009, Bailey had seven sacks in eight games. When he moved outside for the final five, Bailey had no sacks.
Although Bailey has said he prefers to play end, he could be a force tonight from the inside.
Also in this game, keep a keen eye on Miami cornerback Brandon Harris. Everyone touts the junior wide receiver class of A.J. Green, Jonathan Baldwin, Michael Floyd and DeAndre Brown. But the junior cornerback class of Harris, Patrick Peterson, Aaron Williams and Janoris Jenkins is just as impressive.
Personally, I’m a Peterson guy. But some love Harris for his man-to-man skills. Harris doesn’t have elite size like Peterson, he’s incredibly agile and smart.
The game also features two good – but far from great – left tackles. Orlando Franklin (Miami) and Jason Pinkston (Pittsburgh), are both finesse blockers. In a weak senior tackle class, both could really help themselves tonight and throughout the season.
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