The Miami football program has been actively targeting defensive tackles during the first week the 2023-24 transfer portal has been open. Miami has already offered C.J. Clark from North Carolina State and Marley Cook from Middle Tennessee State through the transfer portal at DT. More offers at DT will be coming.
Gaby Urrutia of Inside the U wrote “Transfer Portal Spotlight: Michigan State DT Derrick Harmon fits what Miami is looking for.” Another name to watch in the transfer portal at DT is Walter Nolen from Texas A&M. Nolen is the top-ranked transfer in the portal per 247 Sports and On3.
Miami lost edge rushers Jahfari Harvey, Cyrus Moss and Chantz Williams to the transfer portal. At defensive tackle, the Miami football program is losing Branson Deen who is out of eligibility Leonard Taylor to the NFL Draft. Miami has depth to be able to absorb the losses at edge rusher.
ACC Defensive Freshman of the Year Rueben Bain returns for Miami on the edge. Bain could potentially move inside. Nyjalik Kelly and Akheem Mesidor could return from injuries that cut short their 2023 seasons. Kelly will be a junior in 2024. Mesidor has the option of entering the 2024 NFL Draft.
Former Pittsburgh defensive lineman Samuel Okunlola is the brother of Miami freshman offensive tackle Samson. Okunlola could be a transfer Miami is interested in. As a redshirt freshman in 2023, Okunlola had 18 tackles, six tackles for loss, five sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
Okunlola is the 28th-ranked transfer and fourth DL in the portal in the 2024 class. After a productive 2023 season, Okunlola would provide Miami with an experienced DL with three years of eligibility remaining. Okunlola has bulked up to 6’2 and 245 pounds from 225 when he signed in 2022.
Expect more attrition on the Miami DL, particularly at tackle. More Miami DTs could enter the transfer portal. Jared Harrison-Hunte is the only Miami DT who played significant snaps in 2023 who could return. Freshman DT Joshua Horton and redshirt freshman Ahmad Moten will have increased roles in 2024.
Miami has several other options at DT in 2024 depending on who returns. The transfer DTs Miami adds in the next few weeks will help determine how the roster evolves. Miami also has blue chip commits Justin Scott and Artavius Jones in the 2024 class. Jones and Scott will both have a chance to contribute as freshmen.