Versatility is critical for the 2020 Miami football roster according to co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach Ephraim Banda.
With so many unknowns entering the 2020 season, versatility will be critical for the Miami football roster. The ability to play multiple positions will be critical to the Hurricanes defense according to co-defensive coordinator Ephraim Banda. There are several players that Banda could be referring to versatility on defense.
Redshirt freshman defensive lineman Jason Blissett signed with Miami as a defensive tackle was moved to end during the abbreviated spring practice and back to tackle in training camp this month. Blissett will be ready to play either position as part of the rotation upfront this fall.
As the safeties coach, it appears that the goal Banda has is to get the best players on the field. As the season evolves the possibility of losing players this season is higher than ever. Banda is not concerned if a player is a free safety, strong safety, or rover. Amari Carter, Bubba Bolden and Gurvan Hall are likely to split time at safety.
Miami is also trying different combinations at linebacker. Redshirt senior Zach McCloud will start either in the middle or as the weakside LB. Bradley Jennings Jr. as the MLB and a few candidates as the WLB are competing for the first-team LB spot next to McCloud. Miami is creating versatility in training camp.
"“This year is different…It’s not about who plays free safety or rover. It’s about depth… getting guys to learn as many positions as possible. Everyone is playing different positions. We’d like to roll a lot of guys.This is a year that if you can’t play multiple positions and do different things your value to the team drastically drops. You never know what 2020 will bring. You’ve gotta adapt.”"
Sophomore Sam Brooks and redshirt freshman Avery Huff are the expected challengers with Jennings. At safety, Banda told the Miami beat writers in the above video that he wants to roll with Bolden, Carter and Hall in 2020. Expect that to be the plan throughout the Miami defense in 2020.
Bolden, Carter and Hall will be backed up by freshmen Brian Balom, Jalen Harrell and Keshawn Washington. The freshmen trio is focusing on safety and not yet striker. Banda said that the freshmen have been learning both safety positions in another attempt to create versatility on the Miami football roster.
Miami safeties coach and co-DC Ephraim Banda insists depth is pivotal this season, more so than others. Hurricanes are trying to get as many defenders as possible to be versatile and capable of playing multiple positions.
— David Furones (@DavidFurones_) August 25, 2020
Despite the loss of redshirt sophomore DE Greg Rousseau who opted out for the 2020 season to focus on the NFL Draft, Miami will continue to rotate their edge rushers in 2020. Graduate transfer Quincy Roche and redshirt junior Jaelan Phillips will start at DE for Miami in 2020 with redshirt freshman Jahfari Harvey third.
The fourth and fifth edge rushers in the rotation will likely be redshirt freshman Cameron Williams and true freshman Chantz Williams. Freshman Elijah Roberts will be another valuable player who can player DT and DE. Versatility will again be the key on the DL. Rousseau often played DT on passing downs in 2020.
The most likely of the top three edge rushers for Miami in 2020 to move inside on passing downs would be the uber athletic Phillips. Redshirt freshmen Jalar Holley and Jared Harrison-Hunte and true freshman Quentin Williams are other DL that can offer versatility up front. Holley and Harrison-Hunte are slated for DT.