Breaking down DE Kechaun Bennett who names Miami Hurricanes finalist

Four-star defensive end Kechuan Bennett named the Miami football program as one of six finalists for his college destination. Bennett would be the first DE committed to Miami in the 2021 Class.

The Miami Hurricanes are going to need to restock at defensive end for the 2021 season. Four-star defensive end Kechaun Bennett named the Hurricanes one of six finalists for his college destination on Tuesday. Bennett attends Suffield Academy in Connecticut. That is the same school as 2020 Miami QB signee Tyler Van Dyke.

Bennett is the 329th ranked player nationally and the 21st ranked strongside DE. California, Michigan and Mississippi, Notre Dame and Syracuse are the other five schools that Bennett named as finalists. Both crystal balls project Bennett to sign with Michigan.

Bennett’s crystal balls have to be mentioned with the context that they were logged by Michigan reporters. Bennett is high on the Miami Hurricanes because he told 247 Sports he will be able to focus on rushing the quarterback and not have to drop into pass coverage often. He also likes the idea of living in Florida.

Miami does not yet have a DE committed for 2021. The Hurricanes will definitely lose Temple graduate transfer, DE Quincy Roche, after the 2020 season and are practically guaranteed to lose rising redshirt sophomore, Greg Rousseau. Rising redshirt junior Jaelan Philips will have the option of entering the 2021 NFL Draft.

Behind Roche, Rousseau and Phillips at DE are rising redshirt freshmen Jahfari Harvey and Cameron Williams. Miami is high on 2020 four-star DE signees Chantz Williams and Elijah Roberts and three-star Quentin Williams. Roberts could move to defensive tackle. Bennett discussed his recruitment with 247Sports.

"“I like how they would have me on the line and I would be able to rush the quarterback a lot and not always be asked to go back into coverage. I will be asked to go 1-on-1 with a lineman and rush the quarterback. Florida has always been a state I wanted to move to since I was younger.These past couple of weeks Miami has just shown a lot of love. I’ve been on Zoom calls with them, a lot of coaches have been talking to me. They’ve been showing me what position I would be playing, how they would use me and I just think it’s a good feel if I wanted to commit there.”"

Bennett has the length Manny Diaz, Blake Baker and Ephraim Banda like on the edge at 6’4. David Feeley would have some work to do to increase Bennett’s weight at 220 pounds. The scouting report from 247Sports National Recruiting Analyst Brian Dohn expects Bennett to add muscle before playing college football.

"“Thin build but has length and frame to add 30 pounds and play at 250. Accomplished wrestler. Fires off ball quickly with low pad level. Gets up field. Disruptive against the pass. Uses speed to slip inside but flourishes getting around edge. Speed to chase plays down from behind. Stays true to assignment.Able to re-direct down line of scrimmage. Is flexible and bends at knees. Has to add strength and mass in upper and lower body. Has to be stronger to stack and shed. Must improve in run defense. Relies heavily on speed and must develop technique. Multi-year starter at Top 20 program."

Signing Bennett would be a huge addition to the Miami Hurricanes. Diaz has proven his ability to develop defensive linemen. The Hurricanes have finished in the top five in tackles for loss in each of Diaz’s four seasons in Coral Gables. Miami has finished in the top 11 nationally in sacks over the last three seasons.

With the Miami Hurricanes continuing to produce defensive linemen in the Diaz era, the ability for Miami to get in opponents backfields and Bennett’s desire to live in Florida, this would be a good match. Bennett can come in and slot in as a rotational player as a freshman and challenge to start in 2022.