Pro Football Focus ranks Miami football DL 9th nationally

Pro Football Focus ranked the Miami Football team ninth in their top 10 defensive lines in the country that was posted on Wednesday. Miami returns all of its key DL in 2023 except for edge rusher Mitchell Agude and defensive tackle Darrell Jackson. The 2023 Miami DL will be led by DT Leonard Taylor.

Miami finished 25th nationally last season generating 6.83 tackles for loss per game with a total of 82. With 3.08 sacks per game for a total of 37 Miami was 11th nationally. Miami returns its top four in tackles for loss and four of the top five in sacks. Akheem Meisdor was the co-leader in TFLs and leader in sacks.

Linebacker Corey Flagg, Mesidor and Taylor all registered 10.5 TFLs in 2022. Mesidor had 7.5 sacks. Taylor added 24 tackles, three sacks, six quarterback hits and an interception. Under new defensive coordinator Lance Guidry, Taylor could be ready for a breakout season. Expect Taylor to receive more snaps in 2023.

The Miami football team should have exceptional depth on the 2023 DL. Expect several of the young returnees and freshmen to earn spots in the rotation. Nyjalik Kelly had 11 tackles, 4.5 TFLs and four sacks as a true freshman in 2022. Cyrus Moss retained a redshirt season after playing in three games in 2022.

"9. MIAMI (FL) HURRICANES“The Hurricanes have two preseason first-team All-ACC members on their defensive line in interior defensive lineman Leonard Taylor and edge defender Akheem Mesidor. Taylor posted a 19.5% pass-rush win rate and a 16.2% pressure rate in 2022, trailing only Calijah Kancey among Power Five interior defensive linemen.Mesidor was the fifth highest-graded Power Five edge a year ago, finishing with an 87.1 mark.  Miami also returns Jahfari Harvey along the edge, who started last season and earned a respectable 76.2 grade. As for the other starting defensive tackle spot, the Hurricanes have a few options.They could turn to Jared Harrison-Hunte, who missed three games due to injuries last year but earned a 71.7 grade as a starter in 2021. Miami also brought in Branson Deen from Purdue, whose 34 pressures last season placed him sixth among Power Five interior defensive linemen.Thomas Gore also transferred in from Georgia State and has earned a 90.7 grade since 2021, sixth among all defensive tackles in the country.”"

Max Chadwick wrote the summary of the Miami defensive line for Pro Football Focus. Harrison-Hunte is a projected starter entering training camp next week. Deen and Gore bring proven production to Miami. Miami also added 6’7 and 280-pound defensive lineman Anthony Campbell from Louisiana.

Harvey and Mesidor are the projected starting edge rushers for the 2023 Miami football team. True freshman Rueben Bain, Kelly, Moss and fourth-year junior Chantz Williams will compete for snaps at edge rusher behind Harvey and Mesidor. Miami should continue to be among the national leaders in sacks and TFLs.