CaneSport’s Inside The Lines with Hurricanes DL Tyler Baron: I want to help Miami win as many games as I can

Perhaps it’s fair to say that in the span of the last eight months the Miami defensive line went from being a major question mark area to one that exudes strength. And that’s in large part thanks to the transfer portal, plus the return to health of DL Akheem Mesidor, who missed most of last year and spring due to torn ligaments in both feet. The only other primary returner on the line is Rueben Bain, who was a freshman All-American.

INSIDE THE LINES SERIES: C Zach Carpenter … QB Emory Williams … WR Jacolby George … OL Francis Mauigoa … DT Ahmad Moten … OL Samson Okunlola … OL Matthew McCoy … RB Jordan Lyle … WR JoJo Trader

Which brings us to the transfers. Tennessee starter Tyler Baron is a big addition who is primarily an end but can also play inside, and Marshall’s Elijah Alston is a proven rush end. Inside you have NC State’s CJ Clark and Michigan State transfer Simeon Barrow as the anticipated starters.

The depth and talent is there.

And today we go Inside The Lines with one of the key DL members, Baron.

It’s expected he will combine with Bain, Mesidor and Alston as a solid four ends, with all but Alston also able to work inside in passing situations.

“The great thing about having a lot of people is everyone gets to stay fresh,” Baron said. “If we can see the benefit in that everyone will be keyed to a common goal.”

Baron says overall he thinks this Miami defense “looks very strong.”

“My first time being in the ACC, little bit of a different game, but as a roster I think we’re poised to do well,” he says, adding “The whole D line – such a talented group.”

Baron’s proven he can be a standout – last season he had 10.5 TFL and five sacks.

Of note is Baron was out in the spring due to a shoulder injury before transferring (he was at Louisville for the spring semester), but he’s full go for the season.

And he’s made a smooth transition to the new program.

“It’s going great,” Baron said. “Really excited to be able to work with everyone around here and everything they can pour into me.”

Baron started 19 games in his four years with the Vols, and last season started all 12 games and had 28 tackles along with the aforementioned five sacks and 10.5 TFL along with a fumble recovery for a touchdown. In 2022 he started three games and had 22 tackles with 6.5 TFL and 2.5 sacks. 2021 saw him with five starts and he had 30 tackles along with four sacks and seven TFL.

As far as his Pro Football Focus grades? Baron ended last year with a solid 78.5 percent grade in 444 reps (elite 83.3 pass rush grade) and was noted with 41 QB pressures and 31 hurries. In 2022 he had a 73.7 overall grade in 438 reps (73.7 pass rush grade, 29 QB pressures), and in 2021 he played 433 reps and graded out at 72.9 percent overall (77.2 pass rush grade, 32 QB pressures).

“I’m just being a sponge and soaking up everything (DL coach Jason Taylor) can offer,” Baron said. “I think Tyler Baron brings out the best in Tyler Baron, but he can be a component that helps do that, push me every day.”

A final thought from Baron?

“My goal personally is just improving every day,” he says. “Being a great teammate, adding another component of that to my game, helping everyone around me.

“I want to help win as many games as we can.”

The post CaneSport’s Inside The Lines with Hurricanes DL Tyler Baron: I want to help Miami win as many games as I can appeared first on On3.