Miami Hurricanes DT Nesta Silvera follows Jon Ford to announce 2021 return
Miami Hurricanes defensive tackle Nesta Silvera followed teammate Jon Ford by a few hours and announced his return for 2021.
The depth of the Miami Hurricanes defensive line improves greatly over a few hour span on Wednesday with the returns of tackles Jon Ford and Nesta Silvera. Ford announced he is taking advantage of the extra season of eligibility granted to fall sports athletes in 2020 for his return in 2021.
Silvera announced via Twitter he is returning for his senior season at Miami a few hours after Ford posted on Instagram he will play for the Hurricanes for a fifth season. Silvera had 35 tackles, was fourth on Miami with eight tackles for loss and added one sack in 2020. Silvera played in all 11 Miami games in 2020 and started 10.
Silvera was the 54th ranked player, second-ranked DT and 11th ranked player in Florida in the Class of 2018. Silvera was the sixth-ranked signee for Miami in 2018. Progressing throughout his career, Silvera had his best season in 2020. For his career, Silvera has 67 tackles, 10.5 TFLs and two sacks in his three seasons.
The returns of Ford and Silvera solidify the rotation for Miami at DT. Redshirt freshman Jared Harrison-Hunte had a breakout season in 2020 and will team with Ford and Silvera to give Miami a strong rotation on the interior of the defensive line. Four DTs will compete for playing time behind Ford, Silvera and Harrison-Hunte.
Redshirt sophomore Jordan Miller, redshirt freshmen Jason Blissett and Jalar Holley and 2021 signee Leonard Taylor will contend to be part of Miami rotation at DT in 2021. Taylor is by far the highest-graded player Miami has at DT. Taylor is the 10th ranked player, top-ranked DT and third-ranked player in Florida in 2021.
Next. Jon Ford returning at DT strengthens Miami rotation. dark
Miami also signed three-star DT Allan Haye to go with the five-star Taylor in the Class of 2021. Haye could be headed for a redshirt season. Taylor is the highest-ranked Miami signee since offensive tackle Seantrel Henderson in 2010. Silvera returns in 2021 after being named honorable mention All-ACC in 2020.