Miami Football defense preferred by 5-star DT, names Canes finalist

Five-star defensive tackle Maason Smith named the Miami football program one of his finalists for college and stated that the Hurricanes defense is the one he likes the most.

Five-star defensive tackle Maason Smith from Houma, Louisiana named the Miami football program one of his eight finalists for where he considering attending college. Smith stated Miami is one of his current top five. In an interview with 247Sports, Smith revealed that the Hurricanes style of defense is the one he prefers.

Smith is the 20th ranked player, second-ranked DT and the top-ranked player in Louisiana in the Class of 2021. The highest-rated player currently commited to Miami is four-star wide receiver Romello Brinson who is the 131st ranked player, 23rd ranked WR and 20th ranked player in Florida for 2021.

Smith would give Miami a huge anchor in the middle of the defensive line at 6’5, 316 pounds. A likely immediate starter for Manny Diaz and Blake Baker. The other seven schools that Smith named as finalists are LSU, Georgia, Alabama, USC, Oregon, Oklahoma and Florida. Smith will ultimately cut the list to five schools.

The talented DT told 247 Sports that  Georgia, LSU, Alabama, Miami and USC currently are ahead of Florida, Oklahoma and Oregon. The attacking defense Miami has is intriguing, Smith. Miami is still in the mix for a few five-star recruits. In order to have a chance to receive their signature, the Hurricanes need to win big in 2020.

Miami likely needs to win at least 10 games to have a chance to sign Smith. Palmetto DT Leonard Taylor and American Heritage athlete James Williams are the other five-star defensive players still considering Miami. Williams explained to 247 what attracts him to the Miami football program.

"“I took a visit to Miami last summer and I loved it. I love their facilities, I love the coaches, Coach (Todd) Stroud, Coach (Blake) Baker, Coach (Manny) Diaz, they always talk to me and to be honest that defensive scheme is the one I like the most. It’s all out attack and it would let me play free.I’ve been having a real good relationship the past year with them and I definitely want to see it again.”"

Miami loses senior Jon Ford after the 2020 season. Junior Nesta Silvera has the option to enter the 2021 NFL Draft. Behind Ford and Silvera Miami likes the potential of their backups.  Rising redshirt sophomore Jordan Miller is expected to challenge Ford and Silvera to be a first-team DT.

Rising redshirt freshmen Jalar Holley and Jared Harrison-Hunte will be in the rotation on the defensive line in 2020 and beyond. Miami currently has DTs, four-star Savion Collins and three-star Allan Haye commited for 2021. Collins is expected to eventually flip to Florida.

A report this week in the Miami Herald stated that Collins and the Hurricanes coaching staff have not communicated much lately. Smith has not indicated if he has a commitment date in mind. Smith will play in the All-American Bowl in January 2021 to conclude his prep career.