Blake Baker: Miami Hurricanes DL potential to be nation’s best

The Miami Hurricanes defensive line has the potential to be as good as anyone in the country in 2020. In an appearance on the Joe Rose Show, Miami defensive coordinator Blake Baker discussed the Hurricanes’ potential on the defensive line.

The Miami Hurricanes defensive line has the potential to be the best in the country in 2020. With rising redshirt sophomore Greg Rousseau the nation’s leading returning sacker in 2019 with 15.5 graduate transfer Quincy Roche and rising redshirt junior Jaelan Phillips Miami should have a lethal pass rush in 2020.

Roche was the American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year at Temple in 2019 with 19 tackles for loss and 13 sacks. The combination of Rousseau who 19.5 TFLs and Phillips who was the top signee in the country when he signed with UCLA in 2017 gives Miami an exceptional pass rush in 2020.

An article by CBS Sports earlier this week named Rousseau and Roche the top-ranked edge rushers entering the 2021 NFL Draft. Third and long against the Hurricanes in 2021 is going to be a difficult place for opponents to be. Rising redshirt Freshman Jahfari Harvey will add depth for Miami at defensive end.

Most of the discussion and recognition during the offseason has been for Rousseau and Roche. Phillips has not played since 2018, but he should be as much a part of the rotation as an edge rusher as Rousseau and Roche. Baker discussed the freakish athleticism of Phillips and what to expect from him in 2020.

"“Getting Jaelan Phillips in there… We got four [spring] practices in and he hadn’t played football for coming on nearly two years. But man, he’s just a natural. You know how you create a player on your video game? That’s how you create a defensive end from a physical standpoint.He still has a long way to go just not playing the game for a couple years. He’s still knocking some of the rust off.”"

Phillips like Roche brings ability, size and speed you cannot teach. At 6’5 260, Phillips moves more like a linebacker. During spring practice in March, Baker spoke about the instincts that Phillips has as quoted by Susan Miller Degnan in the Miami Herald. Phillips would start on almost every other college football team.

"“He’s a special dude. He’s [6-5] and probably 260-plus pounds, but the thing that’s very impressive about him is how well he hits. He understands leverage. He does a great job getting into the offensive tackle’s pads. That’s one thing that usually takes a little bit of time, the leverage and pad level.’’"

Rousseau emerged as a team leader in his first full season playing college football in 2019. Despite the success Rousseau had in 2019, Baker told Rose that Rousseau remains humble. The coaching staff believes Rousseau has room to improve. Seven of Rousseau’s 15.5 sacks in 2019 came against Louisville and Pittsburgh.

"“Greg is such a humble and hard-working kid, [and] as good as the year he’s had last year, there’s so much he can get better at and some things we’ve shown him on film where he really needs to get better. He takes hard coaching. He’s a guy that is a perfect role model for our young guys.Statistically and obviously throughout the media he is getting so much attention but he’s still the same humble, hard-working kid that he was on the first day he walked on to campus…Then you put in the mix with Quincy Roche, who has elite ability to turn the corner and really flatten out the pass rush.”"

Baker recognizes the ability that Rousseau, Roche and Phillips can be the best edge rushers in the country. The Miami Hurricanes defensive coordinator warned against overhyping them. Far too often at Miami expectations by players and teams have not been reached. Rousseau seems to be different.

"“Those three guys (Rousseau, Roche and Phillips) potentially have as much talent as anybody in the country. Potential is a dangerous word, but those three guys have the potential to be the best in the country.”"

The Miami Hurricanes defense can be great in 2020. Everything will begin with Rousseau, Roche and Phillips’ ability to dominate up front. The trio will be continued to be discussed and given accolades throughout the offseason. Staying humble will be critical if the Miami defense can reach its full potential.