With Added Talent, Canes DL Taking Next Step?

Miami’s defensive line has been on the rise during spring, based on news coming out of practices at Greentree.

That’s good because to get back into the college football playoff picture, the Canes need continued improvement from their defensive front.

Now, the Canes did an excellent job of getting to the quarterback last season with 37 sacks, ranking Miami No. 19 in all of college football. There still needs to be more improvement with the run defense, however.

Miami gave up 200 or more rushing yards four times last season. That was unacceptable.

Overall, the Hurricanes were only the No. 52 rushing defense in the country last season because they allowed 142.1 yards on the ground per game. Those points beg the question, why did the run defense struggle?

From a player perspective, the Canes could have used more top-end talent like any college football program, but it’s probably a more acute answer that truly digs into Miami's rushing defense problem.

Depth.

Miami was banged up for much of last season, and even when it was not, there were not enough impact players rotating in and out of the lineup for players to be fresh in the fourth quarter. That’s especially true with the Canes playing in the South Florida heat.

Players have been added to the roster to help solve the problem.

Some of those players were just recruited, plus players brought in from the Transfer Portal. They've certainly been getting after it during practice.

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Mario Cristobal and his staff recruited defensive ends Rueben Bain, Jr., Collins Acheampong, and Jayden Wayne, plus defensive tackle Joshua Horton to the talented 2023 recruiting haul.

There have been some positive whispers about the play of the freshmen that have come out of practices, so that’s a good sign.

Plus, the Transfer Portal additions of Branson Deen from Purdue and Thomas Gore from Georgia State – both defensive tackles that proved their abilities already – gives Miami much needed experience and bulk within the interior of the trenches. One or both of the transfer defensive tackles could end up with a starting role next fall.

The overall depth just not been a consistent theme at Miami in recent years. Finally this spring, it's good that Miami has even more talent and playmakers to utilize.

When defensive tackle Leonard Taylor, plus edge defender Jahfari Harvey, et al, return to the rotation from injuries, that will further bolster the Canes' rotation.

Won't it be nice to be excited about Miami's defensive line once again this next season? Before then, Miami fans have a chance to see this defensive line – and its newcomers – in action.

When the Canes play the intrasquad spring game on April 14 at DRV PNK Stadium, make sure to watch the talented players along the defensive line. Based on what All Hurricanes has been hearing, it’s a position that will be taking the next step in helping to improve the Miami football program.

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