Four defenders announce plans to leave Hurricane program

Less than 72 hours after their season ended with a loss to Wisconsin in the Orange Bowl, the Miami Hurricanes are already experiencing roster attrition.

Defensive lineman Ryan Fines is leaving the Miami program, the school announced on Monday. Linebacker Darrion Owens also is transferring, the school confirmed on Tuesday. Later Tuesday, Miami announced that another defensive lineman — DJ Johnson — was leaving the program to pursue playing opportunities closer to his home in California.

Owens, one of the veterans in Miami’s linebacking corps, saw the most action of the three departing players, finishing with 32 tackles this season, including six against the Badgers.

His departure is another hit to the depth of Miami’s linebacking corps, which on Sunday lost reserve Jamie Gordinier, who announced he had decided to stop playing football after undergoing multiple reconstructive knee surgeries.

Owens, a redshirt junior, graduated in December and would be eligible to play immediately after transferring to another program.

“I would like to thank Coach Richt, the coaching staff, my teammates and all of the Hurricanes fans for their support,” Owens said via a statement from Miami. “I’m proud to have earned my degree from the University of Miami, and I look forward to this next chapter in my football career.” Fines, who is on track to graduate in the spring, would also be eligible to play if he meets his graduation requirements. He played in two games this past season, recording one sack and one fumble recovery.

“Ryan and I talked, and he feels his best opportunity to get the most playing time would be at another school,” Hurricanes coach Mark Richt said in a statement. “Ryan has been a great representative of our program. We appreciate all the hard work he has put in, and we wish him all the best in his future plans.”

Said Fines in the same statement, “I would like to thank Coach Richt, the coaching staff and my teammates for all of their support. I look forward to this new opportunity.”

Johnson, a rising sophomore, will likely have to sit out a year to satisfy NCAA transfer policies. One of the jewels of Miami’s 2017 signing class, he was Miami’s highest-rated defensive prospect and received interest from more than 50 programs.

The defensive end played in eight games for the Hurricanes this past season, recording three tackles.

After Miami announced his departure, Johnson took to Twitter to share his thoughts posting, “Loved Miami, close family members going through severe health issues. Thank you to the Miami fan base and staff for embracing me and giving me some great memories and molding me as a better player and growing man. God bless.”