After playing a rush linebacker in the 3-4 defense at UCLA. Phillips has added 20 pounds of muscle and was still the fastest defensive lineman Miami had during their abbreviated spring practice in early March. Phillips will team with rising redshirt sophomore
and Temple transfer
at defensive end.
Miami should have one of the best pass rushes in the country in 2020 with Phillips, Roche and Rousseau. Rousseau had 15.5 sacks in 2019 to lead all 2020 returnees nationally. Roche had 13 sacks last season to finish seventh in FBS in 2019. Phillips who was the top recruit in the country in 2017 might be the best of the three.
So University of Miami has Greg Rousseau, Quincy Roche and Jaelan Phillips in 2020?
— Ben Fennell (@BenFennell_NFL) March 11, 2020
...Who has a better trio of pass rushers?
The final member of the four defensive players Miami signed through the transfer portal in 2019 is safety Bubba Bolden. After eligibility issues early and a season-ending ankle injury suffered against Florida State in November, Bolden never truly had a chance to contribute in 2019. He will be a part of the rotation at safety in 2020.
The kicking for the Miami football team cost the Hurricanes at least two games in 2019. The addition of kicker Jose Borregales should alleviate that problem in 2020. Bubba Baxa and Turner Davidson combined to make 6-13 field goal attempts in 2019. Camden Price made 6-7, but Borragales brings a much bigger leg.
Miami head coach Manny Diaz has been asked frequently about the transfer portal. It is unlikely the Hurricanes will ever need to sign nine transfers again. The era of the transfer portal is likely here to stay. The near future is likely to allow all collegiate athletes a one time transfer without having to sit out a season. That benefits Miami.