11 Days to Miami Football: LB DeAndre Wilder 2018 Preview

MIAMI GARDENS, FL - DECEMBER 30: De'Andre Wilder
MIAMI GARDENS, FL - DECEMBER 30: De'Andre Wilder

DeAndre Wilder enters his Sophomore season after playing in 12 of the 13 Miami Football games in 2017. Wilder is buried on the depth chart at linebacker. He will likely mostly contribute on special teams this season.

Wilder attended Carol City High School in Miami Gardens. That’s only about 2.5 miles from Hard Rock Stadium. He was a four-star signee in the Miami football Class of 2017, Wilder was the 479th ranked player in 2017, the 27th best outside linebacker and 62nd ranked player in Florida according to the 247Sports Composite rankings.

As a Freshman last season Wilder posted ten tackles. His high mark was two tackles which he posted against both Duke and against Wisconsin in the Orange Bowl. In both games, Wilder had one tackle and one assisted tackle.

Wilder is expected to compete at the newly created striker position this fall. The striker will essentially replace the strongside linebacker. That position is currently manned by Junior Zach McCloud who is entering his third season as a starter with classmates Shaq Quarterman and Michael Pinckney.

The striker has been explained by Outside Linebackers Coach Jonathan Patke and Defensive Coordinator Manny Diaz as a hybrid between safety and linebacker.

Romeo Finley and Derrick Smith are currently ahead of Wilder on the depth chart at strongside linebacker/striker. Senior linebacker Charles Perry also figures in the rotation at striker.

Wilder is currently nursing a neck injury that he reportedly suffered in the Hurricanes second scrimmage on August 18. Pictures on social media of Wilder in a neck brace emerged over the weekend.

The Miami Athletic Staff announced on Monday that Wilder was being evaluated by the Hurricanes Medical Staff. There was no further information,

Patke spoke to the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson in July with evaluations on all the Hurricanes linebackers. Wilder still needs to learn the defense better before he moves up on the depth chart.

"“He has got to grow and learn,…He’s got to be more comfortable in the defense. He has to compete with those other guys — he has to be able to beat Derrick out. Can he compete at that level? Athletically, he’s not where Derrick is but a little bigger and has more of a linebacker body.”"

Wilder is listed at 6’3 202 pounds. Derrick Smith is 6’2 200 according to ESPN. Their playing time could also be dictated by injuries and what the Miami staff is looking for in a given situation.

If the Hurricanes need more help in pass coverage, Patke and Diaz could turn to Finley or Smith. If they need more help stopping the run it could be Wilder or Perry.

Having to learn a new position is usually difficult for any player no matter what year he is. The fact that the striker is completely new to the Miami football team, even for Diaz and Patke, it is likely to evolve what they want from the striker.

What they both indicated during the Spring is that the position was created in part because McCloud suffered an injury this spring, the Miami football team has an abundance of safties and wants to try and appease everyone with playing time and to improve pass coverage.

If Wilder can get a better grasp of the defense he should challenge for playing time. No matter what happens with Wilder’s 2018 season, he is likely to see numerous snaps on special teams.

Schedule

Schedule