Miami football best player for each 2020 ACC opponent

Pittsburgh Defensive Tackle Jaylen Twyman

Jaylen Twyman was a consensus second-team All-American in 2019 with 41 tackles, 12 TFLs and an impressive 10.5 sacks from his defensive tackle spot.

Twyman was the first DT to lead Pittsburgh in sacks since two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald did so in 2013. The Miami offensive line held Twyman to one tackle in their 16-12 victory at Heinz Field in 2019.

Twyman lived in the backfield against North Carolina with three tackles, 2.5 TFLs and 2.5 sacks. Entering the 2020 season, Twyman is a candidate for the Outland Trophy, Bronko Nagurski Award and Chuck Bednarik Award.

Entering his junior season, Twyman has earned comparisons to Donald as an undersized DT at 6’2, 290 pounds. Twyman has the option to leave for the NFL Draft after the 2021 season and is a first-round prospect. For the 2020 season, Twyman is a near-unanimous selection for the first-team preseason All-ACC defense.

The last three Pittsburgh Miami games have been defensive battles. With Twyman leading the Panthers defense again in 2020 more of the same should be expected. Miami has outscored Pittsburgh by an average of 18-13 in the last three meetings winning two and losing one. The talent is outstanding on both defenses.