The first three spots in the rotation at defensive end for the Miami Hurricanes are likely set for the 2020 season. The competition to be the fourth edge rusher is one to watch before the season starts on September 10 against UAB.
Graduate transfer Quincy Roche, redshirt junior Jaelan Phillips and redshirt freshman Jahfari Harvey are the projected top three defensive ends for the Miami Hurricanes in 2020. The competition to be the fourth edge rusher in the Hurricanes rotation this season is between Cameron Williams and Chantz Williams.
Cameron Williams is a redshirt freshman and Chantz Williams a true freshman. Miami Hurricanes head coach Manny Diaz said following the Hurricanes first scrimmage on Sunday night that Cameron Williams has been “fantastic” in camp. Chantz Williams had five tackles and two sacks last Sunday.
Receiving snaps behind what is expected to be a dominant top three of Roche, Phillips and Harvey in 2020 will be earned by either Williams. Chantz Williams was higher regarded coming out of high school in 2020 than Cameron Williams was in 2019.
Chantz was a four-star signee, the 85th ranked player and seventh-ranked Weakside DE. Cameron Williams was the 441st ranked player and 29th ranked WDE in 2020. The performances in the scrimmages will be a good indicator where the Miami coaching staff stands with who will earn more snaps at DE in 2020.
Miami will have more talent and depth at DE in 2020 than it had in 2019. Greg Rousseau had a breakout season in 2019 with 19.5 sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss. Jonathan Garvin graded out well from Pro Football Focus and was drafted by the Green Bay Packers. Behind them were Trevon Hill and Scott Patchan.
Miami was more experienced in 2019 but should have more talent this season. Roche is the only edge rusher the Hurricanes have entering 2020 with extensive collegiate experience. Phillips was the top-ranked signee in the class of 2017. Harvey was a four-star signee in 2019 who as the 210th ranked player and 12th ranked WDE.
Cameron Williams and Chantz Williams competing to earn the fourth spot in the rotation at defensive end will be key for Miami in 2020. Hill and Patchan played a lot in 2020 with Patchan starting early in the season before Rousseau took his place. The future with Cameron and Chantz Williams and Harvey is bright at DE.