How UM’s front seven stacks up heading into spring ball
Here’s where the Miami Hurricanes’ front seven on defense stands heading into the start of spring practice on Monday:
DEFENSIVE END
This should be UM’s best position, a group headlined by Rueben Bain, Akheem Mesidor, Nyjalik Kelly and newcomer Elijah Alston. Bain is arguably UM’s best player, and Mesidor and Kelly are clear favorites for other spots in the top three.
Alston — based on his age, career body of work and experience playing for UM defensive coordinator Lance Guidry at Marshall — should have a clear edge for the No. 4 job. Early reviews have been positive on Alston in informal workouts.
But keep in mind that UM also can play Bain and Mesidor at defensive tackle some, too.
Mesidor and Kelly return after season-ending injuries in the third and fourth games, respectively. Mesidor was outstanding in 2022, with seven sacks, 10.5 tackles for loss and four passes defended, then had a sack before the injury last season.
Kelly, a natural pass rusher, had four sacks as a freshman backup in 2022 and eight tackles (including one for loss) before his season ended prematurely last season. It will be fascinating to see if he can defend the run well enough to emerge into a top ACC starter; he certainly has the talent.
Bain was Pro Football Focus’ highest-rated freshman edge player after producing 7.5 sacks, 12.5 tackles for loss and 45 pressures, which were most among all FBS freshmen last season.
Alston was a significant portal addition; he blossomed last season, finishing with 45 tackles, six sacks and 11.5 tackles for loss. He also forced two fumbles and returned an interception 85 yards for a touchdown against Old Dominion.
Pro Football Focus gave Alston a
very strong 91.0 overall grade and 90.5 pass-rush grade in 235 pass rush snaps last season. He had 36 quarterback pressures in addition to the six sacks last year. He has 101 tackles and 8.5 sacks over his last three seasons.
Jayden Wayne played 135 snaps as a freshman and graded out by far the worst of all UM defenders in the Pinstripe Bowl, perr PFF. But UM loves his upside.
Anthony Campbell transferred from Louisiana Monroe before last season, but then played just eight defensive snaps.
DEFENSIVE TACKLE
CJ Clark, the North Carolina State transfer, is a favorite to start and a cinch to be in the rotation. His addition was critical after Leonard Taylor opted to turn pro.
Jared Harrison-Hunte also very likely will retain his rotation spot, though Middle Tennessee transfer Marley Cook could provide worthy competition for a starting spot.
Those, on paper, seem like the top three.
Joshua Horton (32 defensive snaps last season), Ahmad Moten (129) and Thomas Gore (151) are the top options for the No. 4 job, at least to start the season.
But also keep in mind that Bain and Mesidor can play defensive tackle. So if UM’s No. 4 end (perhaps Alston) is far better than UM’s No. 4 tackle (which likely will be the case), we could see the Canes give significant work to only two or three of their natural defensive tackles (Clark, Harrison-Hunte and potentially Cook).
UM signed a couple of three talented defensive tackles — five-star prospects Justin Scott and Armondo
Blount (who could end up at defensive end or tackle), and four-star defensive tackle Artavius Jones. 247 Sports rated them the 3rd, 9th and 30th best defensive linemen in this class. But those three will need at least some time to develop. Keep in mind Blount turned 17 this winter.
UM loses tackle Taylor, tackle Branson Deen and end Jahfari Harvey as rotation players from a front seven that helped UM finish No. 11 in the nation in rushing defense (105.6 yards allowed per game).
Clark, who’s 6-3 and 305 pounds, started at defensive end in the final five games of 2022 but played nose tackle this past season for the Wolfpack and had 22 tackles and one sack. He helped anchor an NC State defense that held opponents to 3.7 yards per rush, which was 31st best in the country.
Cook, who’s 6-1 and 298 pounds, had 22 tackles, 18 pressures and a sack in 12 games for Middle Tennessee State this past season. What’s more, he has 10.5 sacks and 19 tackles for loss in 39 career games; that includes a sack and three pressures in Middle Tennessee’s win at UM in 2022.
That 2022 season was exceptional for Cook; he had 49 quarterback pressures that season, per PFF. Ohio State wanted to bring Cook in for a visit before he committed to Miami.
LINEBACKER
This is a group with one very good player, one decent one and lots of youth.
Francisco Mauigoa is the unquestioned starter in the middle after an exceptional season including 82 tackles (18 for loss) and 7.5 sacks and an interception.
Wesley Bissainthe is the clear front-runner at weakside linebacker. He comes off a decent season (44 tackles and a sack), but more is expected.
UM — which lost Corey Flagg Jr. to the portal, KJ Cloyd to the NFL draft and Keontra Smith (eligibility expired) — needs to either add veteran depth or hope that at least a couple among a half dozen young players blossom quickly.
The four freshmen in the 2023 class — Raul Aguirre, Marcellius Pulliam, Malik Bryant and Bobby Washington will all get a chance to earn meaningful snaps. But none of them played more than 38 defensive snaps.
Veteran Chase Smith remains on the roster, but his UM career has been marred by injuries.