STATE OF THE U 2023: DL analysis
CaneSport continues its State of The U series with a closer position by position look, unfiltered and objective, based on what Miami has returning, the projections and whether this will be an improved unit or not.
Today’s focus: Miami’s defensive line position:
OVERVIEW
Miami’s defensive line position saw a heavy rotation under coordinator Kevin Steele a year ago, and the results were inconsistent – the Hurricanes ranked No. 54 in the nation in rushing defense but also were No. 10 in team sacks (3.08 per game) and No. 18 in tackles for loss (7.0). So, at least based on stats, it was a team that was able to get backfield penetration but wasn’t great when it came to holding the point of attack and tackling opposing running backs. With that in mind, the team’s top losses were DT Darrell Jackson (transferred, had 4.5 TFL, 3 sacks starting opposite Leonard Taylor) and DE Mitchell Agude (part-time starter, had 7 TFL, 4 sacks). The big question mark entering 2023 is the interior defense – Taylor and his 10.5 TFL/3 sacks returns, but key backup Jordan Miller is gone and the team hopes that Purdue transfer Branson Deen can fill the void as a starter. If not maybe a Jared Harrison-Hunte can step up in his fifth year at Miami. Other than that you’re looking at two more transfers – Thomas Gore and Anthony Campbell – who have big question marks, plus Jacob Lichtenstein appears a likely backup. Ahmad Moten is in Year 2 but still needs to get bigger, stronger and faster, and Joshua Horton is a promising player but just arrived this summer and is a true freshman.
The end situation is better, with Akheem Mesidor one of the ACC’s better performers off a 10.5 TFL/7 sacks season, and with Nyjalik Kelly in Year 2 and looking to break out off a 4-sack inaugural season. Kelly will battle veteran Jahfari Harvey, who has starting experience and had 5.5 sacks last year, to start opposite Mesidor. And there’s quality depth at end with Rueben Bain flashing as a true freshman this spring and off-season, plus returners Chantz Williams and Cyrus Moss (who still is looking to gain more weight). Perhaps true freshmen Jayden Wayne or Collins Acheampong can also factor in, although they are more likely in the redshirt category. It also could help the tackle depth issues that Mesidor and Bain can work there in passing situations. So overall there is a lot of promise at end and with Leonard Taylor in the middle, but major question marks with the second starting DT and the depth there.
STATE OF THE U: QB ANALYSIS … RB analysis … WR analysis … TE analysis … OL analysis
BIGGEST QUESTION
See above – the defensive tackle depth. With Darrell Jackson transferring it left a gaping hole next to Leonard Taylor, and Miami’s tried to fill it with transfers – Deen from Purdue, Gore from Georgia State and Campbell from Louisiana-Monroe. Of that trio it’s Deen that will likely have the big role, but he was just okay this spring and last year at Purdue had 28 tackles, 4 TFL and 2.5 sacks. Harrison-Hunte’s never been able to really stay healthy. So yeah, DT depth is a huge concern entering the fall.
BOLD PREDICTION
Leonard Taylor will surpass the 18 TFLs mark of Gerald Willis in 2018 and become a first round NFL pick. You could see last year what Taylor was capable of when he really set his mind to it. There was some immaturity there, with coaches saying his mother was really the only one that could get through to him about certain issues. We think Taylor will have made big strides – mental and to some extent physical – this year. Even without another high level DT to take pressure off him, we see Taylor beating whatever offenses try to throw at him and putting together a huge year.
PROJECTION: POSITION WILL BE BETTER/WORSE THAN LAST YEAR?
The 2022 Miami defense line was above average getting after the QB and making tackles for loss, but it was a very average group against the run. It’s great to have Akheem Mesidor and Leonard Taylor back, but outside of them there are a lot of question marks. Plenty will hinge on the progress of Nyjalik Kelly and Branson Deen, since those are the two guys coaches are pinning their hopes on really stepping up and becoming playmakers (with a nod to Jahfari Harvey/Jared Harrison-Hunte as well). It’s also a different defensive system that really wants to turn its linemen loose to make plays in the backfield. But we have concerns, once again, about this being a line that’s able to really stop the run. It might be somewhat similar to last season, a unit that puts up some nice sack/TFL numbers but is in the middle of the pack when it comes to stopping opposing running backs. 2022 GRADE … B; 2023 PROJECTED GRADE … B
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