Miami Hurricanes DE DeAndre Johnson re-acclimated missing most of spring

Defensive end DeAndre Johnson was one of the stars of the Miami Hurricanes Spring Game despite missing about half of the previous month of practice. Johnson paced the Miami defense with 2.5 tackles for loss and a sack for a safety in the Spring Game on Saturday. Johnson helps solidify DE for Miami in 2021.

After transferring from Tennessee in January and returning home to Miami, Johnson missed about half of spring due to COVID-19 protocols. Johnson re-acclimated to football shape after missing the last month and was the best defensive lineman for the Miami Hurricanes in the Spring Game on Saturday.

Johnson was a productive player at Tennesse who projects to have a bigger role with Miami. In 41 games with nine starts over four seasons for the Volunteers, Johnson had 58 tackles, 15.5 TFLs and nine sacks. Johnson was an edge rusher at Tennessee who played defensive end in the 4-3 and outside linebacker in the 3-4 defense.

When Johnson returned after missing time this spring adjusting to the fast tempo that the Miami Hurricanes offense plays was difficult, but he re-acclimated quickly to show why he is in Coral Gables according to head coach Manny Diaz. Johnson has promptly shown his willingness and ability to learn since arriving in Miami.

"“Because he was out, he came back a little out of shape for the tempo that we play with. It’s hard to sit out and jump in for as fast as we go. But he’s showing every day why he’s here. The great thing about him is he’s eager to learn.Saturday, the first time the offense went and dropped back, Deandre Johnson shot around the corner and drew a holding penalty. He’s your right end, he’s coming off that quarterback’s blind side. We’ve got some pretty good right tackles. If we were hitting quarterbacks I think Deandre’s presence would have really been felt.”"

The ability for Johnson to dominate the Miami offensive line to return after being out this spring shows he has the ability to become the next elite Hurricanes pass rusher under Diaz. With his performance during spring practice and particularly in the scrimmage on Saturday Johnson asserted himself as the top UM DE.

"“It’s a chip on our shoulder. We know that the elephant’s in the room. I had to work back in shape and get my football legs back. Now I feel great.”"

Johnson was alluding to the departures of projected high-round draft picks Jaelan Phillips and Quincy Roche who Miami lost after the 2020 season and Greg Rousseau who opted out of last season in August. Phillips went on to be named a second-team All-American. Many have questioned how Miami will replace their DEs.

Johnson is projected to start with Zach McCloud who was moved from LB to DE at the end of the 2020 season. Behind them are Jahfari Harvey, Cameron Williams and Chantz Williams. Miami might rely more on a pass rush by committee in 2021 than they have in past seasons with a more dominant pass rusher on the roster.