Miami football should inquire about Florida transfer DE Andrew Chatfield

With defensive ends, Deandre Johnson and Zach McCloud entering their senior seasons, the Miami football program could inquire about transfer Andrew Chatfield who entered the portal last week from Florida. Chatfield prepped at Plantation American Heritage.

Florida signed Chatfield over Florida State, the Miami football program, Ohio State and Oklahoma. Chatfield received the most playing time of his Florida career in 2020 when he had 13 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, two sacks and one pass breakup playing in all 12 games. In 2019 in nine games, Chatfield had five tackles and 0.5 TFLs.

Chatfield graded out higher as a pass rusher than against the run for Florida in 2020 according to Clint Brewster of 247 Sports who spotlighted the transfer on Tuesday. Jahfari Harvey who is starting with McCloud at one DE and Chantz Williams who is second-team behind McCloud both have freshman eligibility.

Miami currently has three American Heritage alums on its roster. Kai-Leon Herbert and Nesta Jade Silvera played with Chatfield in high school. James Williams was a 2021 Miami signee from American Heritage. Chatfield would potentially be a good complement to the current Miami DEs with three years of eligibility remaining.

"Why They Transferred: Chatfield appeared in all 12 games at Florida in 2020 as a junior but in a limited role. It’s assumed that Chatfield wanted more snaps after receiving only 150 last year and never getting a prominent role.Transfer Grade & Analysis: We’ve given Chatfield a rating of 83 in the transfer portal rankings. He improved as a pass rusher in 2020 but had low ratings as a run defender in previous years according to PFF. Chatfield needs to be a more complete player with better gap control in the run game.He shows a very high motor as a pass rusher with active hands and an array of moves. Doesn’t possess ideal length and size (6-2, 260) to close on the quarterback. Shows solid twitch off the ball and has some toughness to get inside on pass rush stunts.Has nice tempo to his rush and can effectively use the speed bull rush as his go-to move.Stats: Recorded 13 tackles (four solo), 2.5 sacks and 4.0 tackles for loss in 2020. In 2019, made nine appearances at linebacker and tallied five tackles and 0.5 tackles-for-loss. redshirted in 2018.Recruitment Rebrief: Chatfield committed to Florida over offers from the likes of Florida State, Miami, Oklahoma, and Ohio State.Eligibility Years Remaining: Played three seasons at Florida and redshirted in 2018, leaving him with three years of eligibility left considering the covid freebie in 2020."

Freshmen, Thomas Davis who is being converted from linebacker and out for the 2021 season and Jabari Ishmael are the only other true DEs Miami has according to the Hurricanes official roster. Elijah Roberts and Quentin Williams are swing defensive linemen who signed with Miami as DEs.

Miami does not currently have a DE committed for 2022. The Hurricanes need depth at edge rusher. The transfer portal could be an option for the fourth straight season. Miami added Trevon Hill and Jaelan Phillips in 2019, Quincy Roche in 2020 and Johnson in 2021. The Hurricanes have proven success adding transfer DEs.

The return of Jess Simpson as the Miami defensive line coach could help Chatfield. Simpson previously spent the 2018 season as the Hurricanes DL coach. Five recent Miami DL signees including current Hurricanes defensive tackle Jared Harrison-Hunte and Harvey were credited with signing due to Simpson.

As a 2018 signee, Chatfield is likely family with Simpson. Give the chance to work with Chatfield and his past success developing Miami DL, Simpson will have a chance to improve the former Gator. The transfer process for Chatfield will be worth watching with the Miami football program potentially involved.