OPINION: Pro Football Focus returning roster analysis shows defensive holes that had to be filled … and need for the future
The Miami Hurricanes have added plenty of portal talent since the end of last season, but developing players … and getting guys to return that have done it at a high level at UM the year before … are going to be a key moving forward. Today we are taking a look at the amount of returning talent on defense the Canes have that the portal guys will mesh in with. That can help give an idea of the baseline of this program as Mario Cristobal & Co. look to not just supplement from the portal but also develop returning players.
Miami’s returning defensive player analysis, with an assist from Pro Football Focus:
Miami’s departures (100 or more reps played)
S James Williams (729 reps): Graded out at 74.3 percent, second on team with 73 tackle, had one INT and five PBU
CB Jaden Davis (649 reps): Graded out at 76.3 percent, had 42 tackles, 3 TFL, 1 sack, 4 PBU
S Kam Kinchens (637 reps): Graded out at 67.8 percent, had 59 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 1 sack, 5 INTs, 5 PBU
CB Te’Cory Couch (632 reps): Graded out at 74.5 percent, had 38 tackles, 1 sack, 3 INTs, 4 PBU
DT Jared Harrison-Hunte (506 reps): Graded out at 65.6 percent, had 26 tackles, 3 TFL, 2 sacks, 2 QB hurries
LB KJ Cloyd (393 reps): Graded out at 67.6 percent, had 44 tackles, 6.5 TFL, 2 sacks
LB Corey Flagg (392 reps): Graded out at 69.3 percent, had 48 tackles, 7 TFL, 3 QB hurries
DT Leonard Taylor (340 reps): Graded out at 74.8 percent, had 19 tackles, 3.5 TFL, 1 sack
DT Branson Deen (334 reps): Graded out at 68.3 percent, had 18 tackles, 5.5 TFL, 2.5 sacks
DE Jahfari Harvey (313 reps): Graded out at 63.3 percent, had 23 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 1 sack, 3 QB hurries
CB Davonte Brown (180 reps): Graded out at 57.5 percent, had 10 tackles, 1 PBU
DT Thomas Gore (167 reps): Graded out at 76.7 percent, had 8 tackles, 4 TFL, 2 sacks
DT Jacob Lichtenstein (150 reps): Graded out at 68.6 percent, had 5 tackles, 3.5 TFL, 1 sack
DE Jayden Wayne (135 reps): Graded out at 60.0 percent, had 13 tackles, shared a sack
DE Nyjalik Kelly (131 reps): Graded out at 58.9 percent, had 8 tackles, 1 TFL
DE Chantz Williams (127 reps): Graded out at 63.6 percent, had 8 tackles, shared a TFL
Returners (100 or more reps played)
LB Francisco Mauigoa (697 reps): Graded out at 71.6 percent, had team high 82 tackles, 18 TFL, 7.5 sacks, an INT, 3 PBU and 7 QB hurries
DE Rueben Bain (627 reps): Graded out at 82.2 percent, had 44 tackles, 12.5 TFL, 7.5 sacks, 4 QB hurries
CB Daryl Porter, Jr. (500 reps): Graded out at 80.6 percent, had 23 tackles, 4 PBU
LB Wesley Bissainthe (445 reps) Graded out at 61.8 percent, had 44 tackles, 6.5 TFL, 2 sacks, 2 QB hurries
CB Damari Brown (331 reps): Graded out at 63.0 percent, had 14 tackles, 1.5 TFL
CB Jadais Richard (187): Graded out at 67.7 percent, had 14 tackles
DT Ahmad Moten (146 reps): Graded out at 60.7 percent, had 2 tackles and an interception
S Jaden Harris (130 reps): Graded out at 54.4 percent, had 7 tackles and shared a tackle for loss
ANALYSIS
As you look at the above, five of the top seven players in terms of rep count last year are gone (Williams, Davis, Kinchens, Couch and Harrison-Hunte). Of guys that played 300 or more reps there are five returners and 10 guys that are gone. Of those 10 departures, three were one-and-done out of the transfer portal. In the future as this team develops talent, perhaps those three spots could have been used by younger guys who would be returning and able to help this 2024 team, right? That’s a side effect of the portal. Regardless, it’s clear that there is very little returning here overall which is why you saw such a big push in the portal by Miami. There are five returning starters (Mauigoa, Bain, Porter, Bissainthe and part-time starter Brown). The other guys back that played 100 or more reps have Richard, Gore and Harris competing to start. That’s eight players out of the 22 you need on the two-deep.
So no wonder Miami was working the portal hard on this side of the ball. But a year from now will we be in this same boat? We’ll reflect on this again to see, because really when you have top returning starters and then the depth behind them getting reps are younger and being developed … well, that’s what you want for long-term success.
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