Miami Hurricanes defense accliminating new and returning players

Speaking to reporters on Saturday Miami Hurricanes defensive coordinator Kevin Steele stated that the new and returning players are getting acclimated to each other. Miami could start as many as five new transfers on defense in 2022. The Miami Hurricanes have 15 new players to acclimate on defense.

Miami signed eight freshmen on defense and added seven more through the transfer portal. Edge rushers Mitchell Agude and Akheem Mesidor, linebacker Caleb Johnson and cornerback Darryl Porter are all projected starters for Miami on defense. Miami could start a transfer at defensive tackle as well.

Transfer DTs Darrell Jackson, Jacob Lichtenstein and Antonio Moultrie will compete with returnee Jared Harrison-Hunte to be the second starter. Sophomore Leonard Taylor is a near lock to start at DT. Steele likes the mindset the defensive players have had through the first two days. Miami has specifically worked on tackling leverage.

Steele elaborated that more work on tackling will be accomplished when Miami gets in pads. The Miami defensive players have reported to training camp ready to learn the new system. Integrating the returning players with the freshmen and transfers has been the early focus for Steele and his staff.

"“We’ve had good focus to this point. They’ve reported back with a mindset to get better and they’re working hard…We can teach the form of tackling but obviously, we all know that tackling is with pads on but we’re getting the fundamentals, the understanding of tackling leverage and footwork and arms.It’s fun getting new guys in. We had some portal guys, we had some freshmen that got in that’s always fun to start them at a baseline and move them up the ladder. But then also it’s enjoyable to see that they worked hard in their OTAs in the summer and that’s evident because their retention of spring practice.Then what they polished and corrected from spring practice before day one was very encouraging… You know schematically that’s going to come later we’re still trying out who can do what and how to use them but we do have more bodies in the rotation. I’ve said it before and everybody’s got to get used to this.We’re not coming off of this the thing is saying okay this guy’s four, these are the four starters and these are the four backups and these are the four threes we don’t even that’s something that is talked about outside of our world in this day and age with hurry up football you have to have multiple multiple guys that are technically starters.So in d-line in those four-d line that could be always up to six you know maybe more and the more it can be the better off you are we’re working hard to get to that we have the bodies uh and we’ve got the ability to get there we’re just not there yet.”"

Steele is working with closer to a full roster after not all of the defensive players participated in spring practice. Mesidor has missed time early in training camp. Adding the five transfers on the defensive line was critical for Miami to improve their depth. Miami should have an excellent rotation of DL.

Expect Harrison-Hunte, cornerback Tyrique Stevenson and edge rusher Jahfari Harvey to be among the team leaders on defense among the returnees. All of the transfers Miami has added on defense except for Jackson have multiple years of experience in college. Adding more experienced players was also important to the Miami roster.

The depth chart will continue to evolve throughout August. As Steele said it’s not important to pay attention to the players listed as starters. Based on the newcomers and returnees, Miami could play as many as 10 DLs. Miami will not be as deep at LB. The Miami Hurricanes seem likely to use four players at CB and safety.