Replacing star edge rushers Jaelan Phillips and Quincy Roche from 2020 is the biggest task for the Miami Hurricanes entering the 2021 season. Reestablishing a pass rush for Miami will not start with middle linebacker Bradley Jennings Jr. as stated by Bill Bender of The Sporting News in his preview of the Hurricanes.
Bender summarized Miami in his preseason Top 25. The Hurricanes are ranked 19th. Jennings had 39 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, three sacks and one pass breakup in 2020. Jennings and Jared Harrison-Hunte lead the Miami returnees with three sacks in 2020. Striker Gilbert Frierson nine 2020 TFLs lead the Miami returnees.
Tennessee transfer DeAndre Johnson and super senior Zach McCloud who moved from LB to DE for the Cheez-It Bowl against Oklahoma State in December will lead the Miami Hurricanes pass rush from the edge. Harrison-Hunte, Nesta Jade Silvera and 2021 signee Leonard Taylor are likely to pace the Miami pass rush inside.
It’s perplexing why Bender would state the pass rush begins with Jennings. There is more to looking at Harrison-Hunte and Jennings’ three sacks in 2020 leading the Miami returnees to determine that is where the Hurricanes reestablishing a pass rush begins. Miami has depth behind Johnson and McCloud.
Jon Patke said Bradley Jennings, Corey Flagg are rotating at middle linebacker. Tirek Austin-Cave is also working in a middle linebacker. At weakside, Waynmon Steed, Avery Huff are rotating there. Patke says Huff has come along mentally. Deshawn Troutman is physical, made plays.
— Manny Navarro (@Manny_Navarro) March 30, 2021
"“Miami also needs to reestablish a pass rush after losing Jaelan Phillips and Quincy Roche to the NFL Draft, and that starts with Bradley Jennings.”"
Jahfari Harvey, Cameron Williams and Chantz Williams will be in the rotation for Miami as DEs to help re-establish a pass rush. Jon Ford is a returning starter at DT who excels as a run stuffer and tying up blockers. The Miami pass rush has been consistent in the five seasons head coach Manny Diaz has led the defense.
The Hurricanes finished 32nd with an average of 2.73 sacks per game in 2020. That was the lowest showing during the Diaz era. Diaz is reassuming the defensive play-calling as the de facto coordinator in 2021. Expect reestablishing the pass rush to begin off the edge and Diaz to do so via committee and rotation.