Communication is the biggest thing the Miami defense has emphasized during the 2025 offseason, according to Hurricanes' defensive lineman Akheem Mesidor at ACC Kickoff on Tuesday in Charlotte. Miami has a plethora of changes on defense entering the 2025 season.
The changes for the Miami defense entering the 2025 season started at the top with new defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman. Defensive line coach Jason Taylor is the only coach on the Miami staff returning on that side of the ball.
Miami added 10 transfers to the defense in 2025. Mesidor will line up with defensive tackle David Blay after he transferred from Louisiana Tech. Miami also added two linebackers and seven defensive backs through the transfer portal entering the 2025 season.
Communication was frequently a problem for Miami in the secondary in 2024. With four new defensive coaches, including Hetherman and the 10 transfer additions, communication will be critical for Miami in 2025. Building chemistry defensively will likely be emphasized during training camp.
"Well, the biggest thing we've been emphasizing this off-season is communication. If you don't communicate, your defense is going to get just torched, right? Obviously we have a bunch of new additions, but communication is the biggest thing for us."Miami defensive lineman Akheerm Mesidor
Four of the five projected Miami starters in the secondary are transfers. At least five of the front six if Blay starts in the 4-2-5 Miami defense are returnees. Rueben Bain and Mesidor return for Miami as starters at edge rusher and LB Wesley Bissainthe is entering his third season as a starter.
Communication for the DL and LBs for Miami should be easy with the continuity Miami has returning in 2025. With two new coaches and six new DBs, communication for Miami in the secondary will be a bigger challenge. Mesidor should be one of the leaders on the 2025 Miami defense.