Miami Hurricanes 4-star DT Brandon Cleveland de-commitment mutual decision

According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, the de-commitment from 2022 four-star defensive tackle Brandon Cleveland from Tampa Sandalwood was a mutual decision. The de-commitment from Cleveland left the Miami Hurricanes with only four-star quarterback Jacurri Brown pledged for 2022.

The Miami Hurricanes will definitely lose senior Jon Ford following the 2021 season. Fourth-year junior Nesta Jade Silvera, redshirt sophomore Jordan Miller and redshirt freshmen Jared Harrison-Hunte and Jalar Holley all have the option of leaving for the 2022 NFL Draft. Miami has continued to build depth at DT.

Miller has made two starts in his career, Holley none. As rotation players, it would be shocking to see either Holley or Miller leave for the 2022 NFL Draft. Elijah Roberts a 2020 signee is another player taking snaps at DT this spring. Miami signed five-star DT Leonard Taylor and three-star Allan Haye in the Class of 2021.

Miami has offered scholarships to 18 DTs in the Class of 2022. Eleven of the 18 are blue-chip (four or five-star) prospects. The Hurricanes are listed among the favorites to receive commitments from three-star prospect Jamari Lyons from Melbourne and unranked Jordan Phillips from Ocoee.

Miami is also after several big names in the Class of 2022 against big competition to receive commitments. The Hurricanes have offered scholarships to five-star DTs Walter Nolen from Cordova, Tennessee and Gabriel Brownlow-Diny from Lakeland, Alabama, Clemson, Florida and Oklahoma are among the leaders for them.

Other DTs that Miami is recruiting in the Class of 2022 do not have schools they are leaning towards according to 247 Sports. With Taylor, Haye, and Roberts and likely Harrison-Hunte, Holley and Miller on the 2022 roster, Miami projects to be strong at DT. The Hurricanes need to continue to add depth to the roster.

Miami has to improve the play they receive on the interior of the defensive line in 2021. The Hurricanes often struggled to stop the run in 2020. Continuing to upgrade the talent at DT will be a goal for Miami in their future recruiting classes. The return of DL coach Jess Simpson should help Miami upfront.