Miami football depth chart vs LSU mostly as expected

Junior Scott Patchan who returned to defensive end after being a backup tight end in 2017 is behind Jackson. Garvin’s backups were surprising. Senior Demetrius Jackson who is returning from knee surgery is one backup. Freshman Gregory Rousseau who a three-star signee is the other.

Jackson and Rousseau were both listed as (or) behind Garvin. It gives Miami Defensive Coordinator Manny Diaz and Defensive Line Coach Jess Simpson a deep rotation at defensive end. That will be valuable late in games and with opponents using a fast tempo.

Senior Gerald Willis who took a year off from playing for the Miami football team for personal reasons was a lock to start at one defensive tackle. He was dominant last year on the scout team and against the first-team offensive line this spring. As expected Junior Pat Bethel will start next to him.

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Senior Graduate Transfer Tito Odenigbo from Illinois is the second team tackle behind Willis with Freshman Nesta Jade Silvera listed as the third-team defensive tackle. Backing up Bethel is Sophomore Jon Ford.

The linebacking corps was the biggest lock among the Miami starters. Juniors Shaq Quarterman, Michael Pinckney and Zach McCloud are the starters. Redshirt Senior Mike Smith is Quarterman’s and Pinckney’s backup at the middle or MIKE linebacker and Weakside or WILL linebacker. McCloud is the starter on the strongside or SAM LB.

Backing up McCloud is Senior Charles Perry. The Hurricanes also list the new striker position as a starter. Striker has been described as a hybrid between safety and linebacker. It’s not likely that the striker will begin the game as a starter on defense.

Former safeties Junior Romeo Finley and Sophomore Derrick Smith are the strikers. Finley is listed as the “starting” striker.