Miami Hurricanes defense to receive big boost of talent vs Virginia Tech
During his weekly appearance on the Joe Rose Show on WQAM 560 the Joe Miami Hurricanes head coach Manny Diaz discussed the Miami debut of Bubba Bolden and the return of sophomore defensive tackle Nesta Silvera for Saturday’s game against Virginia Tech.
Bubba Bolden joined the Miami Hurricanes after the 2018 season following a transfer from USC. Bolden was a four-star safety in the Class of 2017. He played that season as a true freshman before sitting out in 2018. Nesta Silvera has missed the first four games of 2019 following foot surgery during training camp in August.
Bolden’s Miami debut and Silvera’s return to the Miami Hurricanes lineup will give the defense a big boost and added depth. Miami is currently starting Jon Ford and Pat Bethel at defensive tackle. Gurvan Hall has started all four games for Miami at safety. Amari Carter and Robert Knowles have split the starts at the other safety spot.
Hall leads Miami with 28 tackles and has added 2.5 tackles for loss, one sack and one pass breakup. A safety is leading the Hurricanes in tackles for the fourth season in Manny Diaz’s defense at Miami. The Hurricanes secondary has had issues in coverage this season. The Miami pass defense has taken a big step back.
Bolden should provide a boost to the Hurricanes secondary. The Las Vegas native has excellent size at 6’2 192 pounds. Bolden’s 247 Sports recruiting profile praised him as a hard hitter who can run, hit, is good in pass coverage with excellent range and length. Bolden’s addition to the Miami defense gives the Hurricanes more versatility.
Diaz verified that Bolden will make his Miami debut on Saturday against Virginia Tech and that his addition to the Miami Hurricanes defense will provide more competition. Diaz is as excited as the fans are to see Bolden play.
"“Yeah, Bubba will be out there…It will be good to see him going and providing more competition in our secondary. He’s been waiting around, he’s working really hard. I’m just excited to see Bubba get out on the field and play.”"
Silvera is a 6’2 305 pound defensive tackle that will help Bethel, Ford and graduate transfer Chigozie Nnoruka in the rotation on the interior of the Hurricanes defense. Miami is currently sixth nationally against the run allowing 59.75 yards per game. Silvera had 13 tackles and 1.5 TFLs in 10 games as a true freshman in 2018.
Diaz discussed the importance of the added depth that Silvera provides and the boost he gives to the Hurricanes rotation on the defensive line. Diaz added that he is pleased with the way the Miami defense has been against the run this season.
"“He will be back as well, which will be great…He will allow us to roll our guys up front, which everybody knows that we like to do. I think our defense is off to a good start. We have been good against the run, which is key this week against Virginia Tech.The more guys we have and the fresher that we can stay, that is supposed to be our advantage in this league, that we can wear people down with our depth."
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Virginia Tech enters Saturday’s game at Hard Rock Stadium reeling. The Hokies suffered their worst home loss in 45 years on Friday night, 45-10 to Duke at Lane Stadium. Virginia Tech is averaging 148.75 rushing yards per game in 2019. That is 79th nationally. The Hokies are 86th passing at 214.8 yards per game.