ANALYSIS: 5 key things we learned about Miami’s defense this spring

With spring practice now in the rearview mirror, it’s time to take a look at some of the key things we learned about this year’s Miami Hurricanes team. Today we’re breaking down five areas on the defensive side:

5. DEFENSIVE END NOT AS STACKED AS WE THOUGHT

On paper entering spring the expectation was that this would be as good a Miami Hurricanes defensive end position as any in the nation. Rueben Bain is returning off a freshman All-American season, and former All- ACC DL Akheem Mesidor is working back into form off an injury that cost him almost all of last season. Nyjalik Kelly was a starter entering last season before suffering injury. Then there was the addition of an excellent pass rusher from Marshall, Elijah Alston, and Jayden Wayne also returns after having some flashes as a true freshman last season. But Kelly was slow to recover off injury and has transferred out. Mesidor divulged late in the spring that he had trouble playing in regular cleats after undergoing surgery last year for torn ligaments in both feet. He’s waiting on special adidas cleats being made just for him. So those are question marks at end. Suddenly a position that was supposed to be a major strength will have all eyes on it come the summer and fall. Miami is now pursuing portal ends with USC’s Romello Height perhaps a take and Miami also pursuing Rutgers DL Rene Konga and Pitt DE Dayon Hayes.

ANALYSIS: 5 key things we learned about Miami’s offense this spring

4. JADAIS RICHARD SHOULD HELP AT CORNERBACK

Miami lost two starting corners in Te’Cory Couch and Jaden Davis, but the team does have back starter Daryl Porter, Jr. as well as second-year corner Damari Brown, who started the final four games last year when injury struck the position. The team needs more help, though, so it was good to see Jadais Richard really do a nice job sticking with receivers this spring … notwithstanding his missed tackle that led to a big gain by Xavier Restrepo in the Spring Game. Did he geta bit handsy at times this spring and draw some flags? Yes. But he showed all the requisite tools to be a guy the team can rely on with a bit more refining over these next several months. And that’s huge at a position that really just doesn’t have proven depth (others at cornerback this spring were Demetrius Freeney and Robert Stafford; transfer arrival Mishael Powell was at nickel). Of note is Miami is pursuing more corners in the second portal window including Marshall’s D’yoni Hill and UNC’s Lejond Cavazos.

3. SAFETY QUESTIONS REMAIN UNANSWERED

With Kam Kinchens and James Williams gone, it remains to be seen who the next man up will be. In the mix are Jaden Harris, who started with Kinchens out injured for a couple of games last year but was hit-and-miss, Markeith Williams (solid bowl game vs. Rutgers, but limited reps otherwise) and Vanderbilt redshirt sophomore arrival Savion Riley. Perhaps redshirt junior Brian Balom could work into the mix as well, but he’s been a depth guy thus far. Coordinator Lance Guidry also said he’s hesitant to play true freshmen at safety given how complicated the position is to play, but otherwise Zaquan Patterson could get a look as he worked in this spring. Look for wide open competition in the fall, and perhaps Miami can also find an answer here in the transfer portal (Mishael Powell arrived as a safety from Washington but played nickel this spring). This is a position of concern off the spring.

2. LINEBACKERS LOOK SOLID

Wesley Bissainthe looked quicker to the ball and more physical this spring, and even though Francisco Mauigoa was out injured you know he will be as solid as you want in the middle of the defense after a strong 2023 season. So good news here is that the worries about depth were a bit alleviated. With Corey Flagg and KJ Cloyd gone after both played a lot of reps last year, it was Popo Aguirre, Chase Smith and freshman Cam Pruitt looking very good in spring ball. We think that’s going to be a solid corps moving forward, so check that question mark area off your list.

1. DEFENSIVE TACKLE REMAINS A QUESTION MARK

The hope here was that transfers would really step up and make this a formidable interior. But NC State arrival CJ Clark was with the second team much of the spring and Middle Tennessee arrival Marley Cook, while exceedingly strong, just didn’t look very quick and doesn’t have a lot of length. Jared Harrison-Hunte missed part of the spring and has been just okay to this point of his career as a redshirt senior, and Thomas Gore (transferred in last year from Georgia State) also wasn’t particularly impressive. Then you find out that Akheem Mesidor, an end who can help at tackle, is still struggling with issues off torn tendons in both feet and needs special cleats made. Lance Guidry also said that Rueben Bain, who many think will grow into a tackle, is remaining at defensive end. So yeah, there are some worries in the middle up front coming off Miami’s spring ball. Redshirt sophomore Ahmad Moten will also look to add some quality depth here moving forward, but he’s unproven. Perhaps Joshua Horton, who missed the spring off injury, can be a welcome surprise when the second-year player returns to action. There also are talented freshmen … but it’s hard to rely on an interior guy in Year 1. Miami’s also looking to the portal with Kent State DT CJ West, Michigan State DT Simeon Barrow, Jr. and Rutgers DL Rene Konga targeted.

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