Miami Hurricanes striker position has evolved from position of need

The Miami Hurricanes striker position that was created from excess in personnel at safety and need to match up with opposing offenses in the spring of 2018 has evolved in the last year.

Then Miami Hurricanes defensive coordinator Manny Diaz and safeties coach Ephraim Banda created the striker position in order to get more safeties on the field to match up with opposing offenses using more wide receivers and multiple tight end sets as receivers.

Then safeties Romeo Finley and Derrick Smith and linebacker DeAndre Wilder were moved to striker during 2018 spring practice. Finley grasped the position extremely well. The 2019 Senior started five games and was named the Miami Hurricanes most improved player as a Junior last season.

Finley improved from 13 tackles combined his first two seasons to 28 tackles, five tackles for loss, two interceptions, including a pick-six, and four pass breakups in 2018. Finley’s success in 2018 means he will continue to share time as the striker/strongside linebacker with rising Senior Zach McCloud in 2019.

Teams are not playing a 4-3 or 3-4 base defense like they did in the past. The only questionable thing is how much the Hurricanes were using the striker in 2018 when teams ran on them. Despite the lofty rankings of Miami’s defense, teams were able to run frequently on the Hurricanes last season.

Four times opponents ran for over 200 yards against Miami in 2018. That included Wisconsin’s 330-yard outburst in the 34-3 Pinstripe Bowl victory. Badgers All-American running back Jonathan Taylor ran for 205 yards on 27 carries with a touchdown. Miami could not stop the Badgers on the ground.

Wisconsin didn’t even have to worry about a passing game to defeat the Hurricanes top-ranked FBS pass defense. Miami needs to find a way to turn that around in 2019.

Banda, who was promoted to co-defensive coordinator, with offseason hire Blake Baker after Diaz was re-hired to become Head Coach after leaving Temple after 18 days with the Owls, to replace Mark Richt, discussed the evolution of the striker.

"“The modern day offense has really pressed you to match them in terms of personnel…There is no more, ‘You can play a 4-3 [base defense] and keep a [strongside] linebacker out there.’ You have to be able to rotate guys in. You have to be able to find multiple guys.Therefore you can keep a striker-type body, a safety who can play press-man but who can also get into the box and play run-fits, as good as a SAM linebacker type. Now you’re not having to be so in and out of personnel.What the striker is, is essentially a combination of all those guys…”That’s what [offenses] are doing, right? They’re trying to find that special tight end…Defensively, Coach Diaz and all of us, in terms of our philosophy, say, ‘Okay we’re not going to just sit back and be a passive defense. We’re going to match you with our aggressiveness, the same way an offense does.’What we decided to do was try to find a guy who can do more than just play in the box or play in the slot…we’re trying to find the hybrid combination guy."

Cameron Ghobi of Hurricane Sports further defined Banda’s explanation of the defensive packages.

"“As offenses become more multiple, Banda says, Miami’s defense now has more answers than ever before. For instance, when teams are playing ’12’ personnel – with two tight ends and seven in-line blockers – it’s more likely McCloud would be on the field.’10’ personnel – one running back and four wide receivers – would call for a more nickel-type safety. ’11’ packages – which most teams run – include a tight end, three receivers and one running back.”"

Leaning the intricacies of playing striker is not easy. Diaz, Banda and Baker are using leaning the position to test a players mental toughness as much as using it as a strategic defense. Diaz elaborated.

"“We’re trying to separate the guys that really like football from the guys that really love football…That’s why I love what our staff is doing. They’re being very demanding of our players – not just physically…but mentality. There’s a lot to learn and ultimately we’ll see who has the ability to keep up.”"

Diaz’s personality is a lot different from Richt. He is more aggressive and willing to take chances while still being a players coach. Diaz has emphasized having fun while still being demanding of his players. They love him because of all of that. The turnover chain is the perfect example. Expect more from Diaz as a head coach.