Only two 2022 defensive tackles are strongly considering the Miami football program according to the 247 Sports offers that the Hurricanes have made. Miami will lose Jon Ford following the 2021 season and is likely to lose Nesta Jade Silvera. Jared Harrison-Hunte could leave for the NFL Draft with a breakout season.
Beyond the three, the Miami football program has a deep depth chart at DT that will be strong beyond 2021. Jordan Miller will also be eligible for the 2022 NFL Draft. Entering his fourth season with Miami, Miller has been a solid rotational player but is not likely to make a major impact. Miller has three seasons of eligibility remaining.
Elijah Roberts who is entering his second season with Miami provides the Hurricanes with the versatility to play end or tackle on the defensive line. Miami signed three-star Allan Haye and five-star Leonard Taylor in the Class of 2021. Taylor will anchor the Miami DL of the future. Miami needs to add depth in the Class of 2022.
Four-star Jamari Lyons from Melbourne Viera and three-star Alton Tarber from Deerfield Beach are the only DTs listed as strongly considering Miami or warm per 247 Sports.Com. Lyons is considering Florida, Indiana, Nebraska, N.C. State and South Carolina in addition to Miami. Florida has the two crystal balls for Lyons.
Deerfield @DB_BucksFB 2022 3 ⭐️ DT Alton Tarber @TarberIv receives an offer from @CanesFootball. Tarber (6’3 305) is the best hole plugger in South Florida. He is unblockable vs the run & showed some juice as an interior pass rusher this season. Passes the eye & film test easily.
— Frank Tucker (@TheCribSouthFLA) March 10, 2021
Lyons is the 345th ranked player, 28th ranked DT and 42nd ranked player in Florida in the Class of 2021. According to his 247 Sports profile, Lyons has visits set up with Florida on June 4 and Indiana on June 13. Lyons has 186 tackles, 44 tackles for loss and 28 sacks during his first three seasons in high school.
Tarber would provide Miami with a space-eater in the middle of the defensive line at 6’1.5, 305 pounds. Miami can lean on running back Jaylan Knighton and wide receiver Xavier Restrepo who were two years ahead of Tarber at Deerfield Beach. Tarber had 28 tackles and four sacks in 2020.
The potential of losing Ford, Harrison-Hunte and Silvera following the 2021 season means Miami probably has to add at least two DTs in the Class of 2022. Tarber would be a good replacement for Ford as an eventual run stopper for Miami upfront. The Hurricanes DL should continue to be strong under Diaz.