Tennessee transfer DE DeAndre Johnson would be critical addition to Miami football
With a lack of experience entering the 2021 season at defensive end, the Miami football team could pursue Tennessee edge rusher DeAndre Johnson through the transfer portal.
Andrew Ivins of 247 Sports through Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald is reporting that the Miami football program is very interested in Tennessee defensive end DeAndre Johnson who entered his name in the transfer portal on Tuesday. Johnson will be a graduate transfer and eligible to play immediately.
Johnson had 28 tackles this season, was second on Tennessee with 6.5 tackles for loss and tied for the team lead with 4.5 sacks. In four years with the Volunteers, Johnson has 58 tackles, 15.5 TFLs and 10.0 sacks. Johnson was a three-star signee with Tennessee in 2017 out of Miami Southridge.
Johnson was a high school teammate of Miami junior wide receivers Mark Pope and Dee Wiggins who signed with the Hurricanes in 2018. Miami needs experience at defensive end after graduate transfer Quincy Roche and redshirt junior Jaelan Phillips announced they were entering the 2021 NFL Draft.
Phillips and Roche opted out of the Cheez-it Bowl which Miami lost to Oklahoma State on Tuesday night. Redshirt freshmen Jahfari Harvey and Cameron Williams started for Miami with freshman Chantz Williams also playing. Harvey had three tackles, 1.5 TFLs, one sack and one forced fumble against Oklahoma State.
Have learned that Tennessee outside linebacker Deandre Johnson has entered the transfer portal.
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) December 29, 2020
Tied for the team-lead with 4.5 sacks this season.
Williams finished with four tackles and one TFL. Adding experience will be critical for Miami at DE for 2021. Phillips and Roche dominated the snaps for Miami among the edge rushers in 2020. The Hurricanes staff is high on Harvey, but Johnson would bring experience and leadership for Miami among the DEs.
Johnson played a rush linebacker or what Tennessee referred to as the JACK position in their 3-4 defense. For Miami, Johnson would switch back to DE where he played at Southridge. Johnson was ranked as a strongside DE coming out of high school. Miami Director of Recruiting David Cooney is likely to be involved with Johnson.
Next. Miami could get commit from Terrence Lewis per two sources. dark
Cooney was previously the offensive coordinator at Southridge before being hired by Miami. Prior to being promoted to Director of Recruiting, Cooney was a quality control assistant working with the Miami WRs for two seasons. Miami has four scholarships available to use in the transfer portal or high school signees remaining.