Miami Freshman defensive tackle Nesta Jade Silvera has a chance to be the Hurricanes first-year player who makes the biggest impact defensively in 2018 for the Miami football team.
Silvera was the 54th ranked player in the Class of 2018, the second-ranked defensive tackle and 11th in Florida according to the 247 Sports Composite Rankings. Silvera was a four-star signee from American Heritage in Fort Lauderdale. He is one of two defensive tackles that signed with the Miami football program in 2018.
Silvera will definitely be in the rotation at defensive tackle. He is competing with Sophomore Jon Ford and Graduate Transfer Tito Odenigbo as backups. Silvera is currently listed as the third-team defensive tackle behind starter Gerald Willis and Odenigbo on the Miami depth chart.
Willis is expected to have an All-Conference type season as a Senior in 2018. Ford will backup Junior Pat Bethel who is starting next to Willis. The likelihood is that Ford, Odenigbo and Silvera will all see time. The matchups are likely to dictate who plays the most.
The Miami football team is going to need as many defensive linemen against LSU that can make an impact against the Tigers. LSU is primarily a running team. They have thrown more passes than rushing attempts only once in a season since 1950, that was 1999.
Last season LSU ran the ball an average of 43.3 times per game and threw it 23.1. That number might even out a bit with Ohio State Graduate Transfer Joe Burrow at quarterback. If Silvera and his peers on the defensive line can pressure LSU’s running game and force them to throw the football it will greatly benefit Miami.
"“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.”"
Silvera projects as the next great Miami Hurricanes defensive tackle. He will benefit from R.J. McIntosh and Kendrick Norton leaving a year early for the NFL. Silvera is the highest rated defensive player and third highest ranked player overall in Storm ’18 Class.
With Willis and Odenigbo graduating after this season, Silvera will battle with Bethel and Ford for playing time in 2019. Bethel will be a Senior next season. Miami only has one defensive tackle verbally committed for 2019.
Jalar Holley is the lowest rated player among the Hurricanes commits for next season. Defensive end Jason Munoz who many speculate could move to defensive tackle next season is the second lowest rated player among the commits to the Miami football team for 2019.