91 Days to Miami football: Jordan Miller ready for next step

Rising redshirt sophomore Jordan Miller is ready to take the next step into the defensive tackle rotation for the Miami football team in 2020 as the likely third interior lineman in the Hurricanes rotation.

Defensive tackle Jordan Miller contributed 12 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss as a redshirt freshman for the Miami football team in 2019. After being the fourth interior defensive lineman in the rotation in 2019, Miller likely will move up to third in 2020 behind rising senior Jon Ford and rising junior Nesta Silvera.

Miller played in all 13 games in 2019, after getting his first collegiate snaps against Savannah State in his only appearance as a freshman in 2018. As a true freshman, Miller was part of the practice squad to maintain his redshirt in 2018. Miller will have a chance to be a two-year starter in 2021 and ’22.

Miller was the 1, 246th ranked signee in 2018, the 86th ranked DT and 192nd ranked player in Florida out of Sandalwood High School in Jacksonville. Silvera and Miller were the sole DTs that Miami signed in 2018. The Hurricanes signed Jason Blisset, Jalar Holley and Jared Harrison-Hunte at DT in 2019.

Blisset has since moved to defensive end. Miami could use Blisset as a utility defensive lineman. At 6’4 329 pounds, Miller is the biggest defensive lineman Miami has. Miller has shown flashes of being a dominating defensive tackle. Co-defensive coordinator Blake Baker told the Joe Rose Show Miller is challenging at DT.

"“You have people who are right on their heels when you talk about Jordan Miller, a true run-stuffer…When he puts it all together he’s nearly unblockable.”"

While edge rushers Greg Rousseau, Quincy Roche and to a lesser extent Jaelan Phillips have gotten the majority of the publicity during the offseason, Miami should go five deep into their rotation at DT in 2020. If the Hurricanes can get a pass rush from their DTs in 2020, the front four for Miami will be virtually unblockable.

Miller will be ready to step in 2020 and be a regular contributor this season after being behind Ford, Silvera and the graduated Pat Bethel in 2019. Miami will need consistent play from their DTs with Roche, Rousseau and Phillips expected to be a dominant force on the edge. Miami should have a dominant defense in 2020.