Can Miami Hurricanes defense be better in 2018?

The Miami Hurricanes defense was elite in 2017. They led the nation in sacks and finished fourth in tackles for loss last season. Defensive Coordinator Manny Diaz thinks they can be even better in 2018.

Diaz is impressed by the talent that has been added to the Miami Hurricanes roster for the 2018 season. He has to completely rebuild the Hurricanes interior on the defensive line, replenish their depth in the secondary and replace two key defensive ends from 2017.

The Spring game was held with a week left in practice and not as the final one of the Spring. In spite of that, the Miami Hurricanes have continued to work hard on defense this week. When the seasons commences September 2 in Arlington, Texas against LSU Richt will have many options to turn to.

Among the returnees likely to emerge as stars and team leaders, this fall are defensive end Joe Jackson, tackle Gerald Willis, linebackers Michael Pinckney, Shaq Quarterman and Zach McCloud and defensive backs Jaquan Johnson and Michael Jackson. Diaz spoke about his unit’s work ethic this week.

"“The thing that stands out to me the most…this has been a better spring than we had a year ago, for whatever reason. I don’t think we had a bad spring a year ago, it’s just better this time around. This team, it just might have something about it. You don’t know. But it might have something about it, that week-in, week-out, any time we come out and play, we’re ready to play at a high level. Which is what you have to have if you want to win championships, because everyone’s going to be gunning for us now…"