Miami football depth chart: Leonard Taylor leads experienced DT corps

The depth chart at defensive tackle for the Miami football team in 2023 will be led by Purdue transfer Branson Deen and All-American candidate Leonard Taylor entering the season. Deen and Taylor are the projected starters for Miami at DT in 2023. Expect the rotation to evolve behind Deen and Taylor.

In two seasons, Taylor has 45 tackles, 19.0 tackles for loss, 5.0 sacks, one interception and one pass breakup. Taylor tied for the team lead on the Miami football team in 2022 with 10.5 TFLs and added 3.0 sacks. Taylor is expected to receive more snaps in 2023. The increased snaps should lead to All-American numbers in 2023.

In four seasons at Purdue, Deen had 73 tackles, 15.5 TFLs, 6.5 sacks, one pass defended and one forced fumble. Deen has earned a projected starting job next to Taylor as an experienced DT who understands the intricacies of playing the position. Deen will provide Miami with solid if not dominant play at DT.

Jared Harrison-Hunte who has played in 29 career games with 11 starts will likely be the third DT behind Deen and Taylor. Harrison-Hunte has 32 career tackles, 17.5 TFLs, 7.0 sacks, one forced fumble and one pass defended. Harrison-Hunte provides Miami with an athletic presence at DT.

Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald wrote earlier this week about “The buzz on Miami Hurricanes’ defensive personnel and who has excelled in practice.” Jackson quoted a Miami football staffer discussing which players to watch this season. Young DTs should have an impact for Miami this season.

"“You’re hoping Leonard [Taylor] can dominate. Branson Deen is a really good technician, very physical, a good mentor to Leonard. Joshua Horton has flashed; he’s going to help us eventually. That’s a position we need to continue to address…I think Rueben Bain eventually will end up inside.He’s 275 and he’s going to keep growing. He’s going to be a monster. There was one play where he hit Jalen Rivers and Anez Cooper and was able to split them.”"

Behind Deen, Harrison-Hunte and Taylor the rotation should evolve throughout the season. Jacob Lichtenstein provides Miami with depth and experience. Freshman Horton and sophomore Ahmad Moten are young players that the Miami staff is high on who need to gain experience this season.

Transfers, 6’7 and 285 pound Anthony Campbell from Louisiana, Thomas Gore from Georgia State and 6’3 and 309 pound Jamil Burroughs from Alabama all provide Miami with different elements at DT. Campbell brings needed length, Gore is athletic and was extremely productive at Georgia State and Burroughs provides size.

Bain signed with Miami as an edge rusher, but there has been a lot of speculation that the Hurricanes could move him inside on passing downs. Miami has made the line of scrimmage a priority in the 2023 and 2024 recruiting classes. That should begin to show this season as Mario Cristobal wants more physical play.