Many considered defensive tackle Nesta Silvera one of the Miami Hurricanes most important signees in the 2018 recruiting class. He helps replenish a depleted interior of the Miami defensive line.
With Miami Hurricanes defensive tackles RJ McIntosh and Kendrick Norton leaving early for the NFL draft and Anthony Moten graduating, there was certainly a need for Silvera’s talent. Equally as important, Silvera is from South Florida.
McIntosh, Norton and Moten helped the Miami Hurricanes boast one of the best defenses in the country. Miami led the country averaging 3.38 sacks per game. The Hurricanes also ranked fourth in the country in tackles for loss averaging 8.5 per a game.
McIntosh was tied for the team lead with 12.5 tackles for loss. He was rewarded for his 2017 performance by being selected second-team All-ACC. Norton was an All-ACC honorable mention selection. Moten was a four-year contributor and a dependable rotation player.
At an athletic 6’3 and 308 pounds, Silvera certainly has the size, talent and mentality to surpass the accomplishments of McIntosh, Norton and Moten. According to 247Sports, Silvera was the second-ranked defensive tackle in the 2018 class and the 11th best player in the state of Florida.
ESPN ranked Silvera as the third best defensive tackle and the 14th best player in the state of Florida. Both 247Sports and ESPN ranked Silvera as the second-best defensive tackle in the state of Florida. Athlon Sports named Silvera as one of the five newcomers to watch for the Miami Hurricanes in 2018.
Miami Hurricanes Defensive Coordinator Manny Diaz had this to say about Silvera:
"“By all accounts, what he did in the All-Star games and everything like that, he is the disruptive tackle in the 4-3 defense, which is what the entire defense is predicated on.Nesta is a pure Cane. We felt that all the way. The way he plays the game, his disruptive manner, the violence he plays with, he plays like how a Miami Hurricane defender should play like.”"
Equally as important as Silvera’s talent level is the fact that he is from South Florida (Fort Lauderdale). Miami has made an unapologetic and concerted effort to recruit South Florida. Miami Head Coach Mark Richt and his staff signed 23 players from South Florida in their last two classes.
Miami’s strategy of heavily recruiting South Florida has paid off. The Hurricanes went 9-4 in 2016. Miami finished 10-3 with an appearance in the ACC Championship game in 2017. Regarding Miami’s South Florida recruiting focus, Diaz said:
"“Some people want to dominate the recruiting rankings, we want to dominate South Florida.”"
Diaz would later reference Miami’s history of winning championships in correlation to strong South Florida recruiting saying:
"“History shows when Miami dominates South Florida, we dominate the world in the fall. Those are the rankings we care about is where we get ranked the first weekend in January. We know the path to it because it’s been done before. If we continue on that path, good things are going to happen.”"
Silvera seems to share Diaz’s sentiments about South Florida and Miami. When asked why he chose Miami when three of his highly sought-after high school teammates chose Alabama, Georgia and Florida, Silvera now famously said:
"“Why not make the crib great? I could go to Tuscaloosa, I could go to Gainsville, I could go to Tallahassee and make those schools great. Why not make the crib great?”"
Silvera’s “make the crib great” attitude is exactly what the Hurricanes need to compete for ACC Championships and National Championships. The Hurricanes currently have the 15th ranked 2019 recruiting class according to 247Sports.
Stormin in Norman
Miami notably trails Clemson who has the 9th ranked recruiting class and Florida State who has the 10th ranked recruiting class.
Key Players to Replace on Defense
Miami will have to replace a lot of experience and talent on its defense after the 2018 season. Senior defensive tackle Gerald Willis and senior defensive end Demetrius Jackson are both entering their final year of eligibility.
Miami will also have to replace Senior starting safeties, Sheldrick Redwine and Jaquon Johnson. Starting cornerback Michael Jackson is a senior as well. There is a strong possibility that linebackers Shaquille Quarterman, Michael Pinckney and defensive end Joe Jackson forego their senior seasons and enter the NFL draft.
Outlook
With an already thin roster and having to replace key players, Silvera’s arrival is right on time. Silvera’s attitude, talent and vocal leadership style will certainly help Miami achieve their goal of dominating the South Florida recruiting trail.
Next: Miami football staff dominates ACC recruiter rankings
Like Diaz said, dominating recruiting in South Florida will lead to championships for the Miami Hurricanes. Silvera is the perfect championship piece on and off the field.