Miami football: Five Hurricanes likely to get more playing time

Rousseau is able to use his athletic ability and length when he moves inside. He discussed being able to play against stronger, but slower interior defensive linemen.

"“Sometimes those guys are a little bit stronger and a little less athletic and more like heavy guys who want to just pancake you…It’s really different, but it’s really the same thing because you’ve just got to come off the ball fast, get extension, be physical and just get after it every single play. Just like D-end, just kind of a different spot. I don’t think I’m going to end up being a nose guard…but I’m going to keep on doing what I can out there. It’s fun. It’s really a blessing. I’m just really grateful because last year I was out, just being out here again with my boys, it’s amazing. I feel like I’m playing good, but I feel like there’s always another level you can always get to. You can always get better every single day at practice, so I’m just trying to get better.”"

Chigozie Nnoruka’s presence to the Miami defensive line has added critically needed experience upfront. The UCLA graduate transfer played 11 snaps in the season opener against Florida last month and 20 against North Carolina on Saturday. Nnoruka has two assisted tackles in the first two games of 2019.

Nnoruka will be a big part of the Miami rotation at defensive tackle going forward with the need to keep linemen fresh as the season proceeds. Redshirt freshman DT Jordan Miller is also expected to get more snaps. Diaz spoke about the outlook for the remainder of the season for Nnoruka and how he has played thus far.

"“Chigozie Nnoruka played really well too. He’s a guy that’ll get more snaps as time goes on. I think he was very physical at the point of attack.”"

Miami has started senior Pat Bethel and junior Jon Ford through the first two games. Getting Silvera back will greatly help the depth on the Miami defensive line. For the next two games, Diaz and Baker will stick Nnoruka and Miller in the rotation to rest Bethel and Ford and to see what they can do.

The game against Bethune-Cookman will not tell us much. That is followed by Central Michigan who is 117th nationally in total offense. The Chippewas are 97th running the football.