Miami Hurricanes DC Blake Baker expects more DT consistency
Miami Hurricanes Defensive coordinator Blake Baker expects starting defensive tackles Senior Jon Ford and junior Nesta Silvera to be more consistent in 2020.
To become a completely dominant defensive line the Miami Hurricanes need more consistent play from their defensive tackles in 2020. During his weekly press conference on Monday, defensive coordinator Blake Baker stated that the expectation from the DTs in 2020 is more consistency from starters Jon Ford and Nesta Silvera.
Entering their senior and junior seasons, Miami needs Ford and Silvera to become steady players. Both have the potential to be dominant. Ford has often been touted for his size at 6’5, 318 pounds to anchor the middle of the defensive line. Ford had 18 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and three assists in 2019.
Silvera missed the first four games of the 2019 season with a broken foot. In nine games played, Silvera finished 2019 with 19 tackles, one TFL and one sack. A four-star signee in 2018 as a full time starer in 2020 its time for Silvera to reach the potential expected of him. Miami has quality depth behind Ford and Silvera.
Redshirt sophomore Jordan Miller and redshirt freshman Jason Blissett, Jared Harrison-Hunte and Jalar Holley have been praised throughout the summer as players Miami expects to have an impact as part of the rotation at DT. Baker stated what the expectations are from the Hurricanes DTs in 2020.
"“Based off film last year, they showed flashes….There were times they were really good and times they could have been a lot better. The expectation is a lot more consistency from those two. Both bring something different. Jon Ford is a mammoth man who can get his hands [on offensive linemen].Jade is quick twitch, sudden, plays with a serious edge. I’m excited about those two guys. If they’re both consistent, they both can be dominant. I talked to Jared last night and since he’s been here, really the last week has been the most consistent he’s been.He’s super athletic and starting to figure it out as far as his technique and effort on a consistent basis. He will play a ton of reps on Thursday. He will challenge for a starting job every single week.”"
Baked laid down a clear message to Ford and Silvera that they need to perform consistently to main their starting positions. Blissett, Harrison-Hunte and Holley are young but talented and will be part of the rotation at DT in 2020. Harrison-Hunte and Holley provide Miami with more size, Blisset has the versatility to play defensive end.
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The additions of Blissett, Harrison-Hunte and Holley to the active roster in 2020 will give the Miami Hurricanes more depth at DT than they had in 2020. Led by Ford and Silvera the potential is there to form one of the best defensive lines in the country with the elite group of edge rushers the Hurricanes have. Consistency is the key.