Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
DL Silvera coming back for 2021
On National Signing Day in 2018, Nesta Silvera uttered words that he’s still famous for in Miami Hurricanes lore when he proclaimed he was sticking with UM as a recruit out of American Heritage: “Why not make the crib great?”
For the junior defensive tackle, that mission to enrich his hometown team is not complete after three years.
Silvera announced on Wednesday night he will return to Miami for the 2021 season, hours after fellow defensive tackle Jonathan Ford did the same.
“I promised we were going to make the crib great, and that’s what we’re going to do,” Silvera said in a video posted on Twitter. “Although we’ve had our shortcomings, I think we’ve made strides toward making us a better program than when my class got here in 2018.
“I know and I trust the plan that coach [Manny] Diaz has, and I’ve decided to run it back with my brothers and take over the ACC and win a national championship.”
Silvera had 35 tackles, eight for loss, a sack and a forced fumble in 11 games in 2020. He was an All-ACC honorable mention selection.
Silvera and Ford return on the interior of the Miami defensive line while the Hurricanes will have to replace both starters at defensive end in Jaelan Phillips and Quincy Roche, who are bound for the NFL.
The UM defense also welcomes back safety Bubba Bolden, who decided he will return for the 2021 season. On offense, quarterback D’Eriq King, running back Cam’Ron Harris, wide receiver Michael Harley and tight end Will Mallory have said they’re coming back.
Ford, a senior who has started 22 games over the past two seasons, had 19 tackles, 1 ½ for loss, and a forced fumble in 2020. He will use the extra year of eligibility being granted to college football players because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Along with the two upperclassmen, the Hurricanes are also expected to return redshirt sophomore Jordan Miller, redshirt freshmen Jared Harrison-Hunte, Jalar Holley and Jason Blissett and true freshmen Quentin Williams and Elijah Roberts at defensive tackle. Blissett, Williams and Roberts could also play end.
In the Early Signing Period, Miami also added five-star recruit Leonard Taylor from Miami Palmetto and three-star prospect Allan Haye from Chaminade-Madonna.