Miami received its third 2025 transfer addition on Saturday from first-team All-Conference USA defensive tackle David Blay. Blay was ranked as the 23rd overall transfer and second DT in the portal by 247Sports. Blay had 46 tackles, third in CUSA with 10.5 TFLs and had two quarterback hits in 2024.
Blay transferred to Louisiana Tech from Division II Westchester during the 2023 transfer portal cycle. In his only season at Westchester in 2022, Blay recorded 39 tackles, 13 TFLs, 5.0 sacks and four QB hits. Blay had 16 tackles in 10 games with one start in his first season at Louisiana Tech in 2024.
Miami adds Blay in a position of need after losing Simeon Barrow, C.J. Clark and Marley Cook after the 2024 season. Barrow, Clark and Cook transferred to Miami during the 2024 off-season with one year of eligibility remaining. Blay committed to Miami over Penn State, Kentucky, and USC per David Lake of Inside the U.
Lake reported Blay played 443 defensive snaps in 2024, primarily at nose tackle. Pro Football Focus gave Blay a 76.9 run defense grade, an 80.2 tackling grade, and a 64.7 pass-rush grade per Lake. Blay has shown significant improvement throughout his collegiate career.
BREAKING: Louisiana Tech transfer DL David Blay has Committed to Miami, @on3sports has learned
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) December 21, 2024
The 6’4 303 DL totaled 45 Tackles and 6 Sacks this season
Top 5 DL in the Portal (On3 Industry)https://t.co/RlUbB6EMhS pic.twitter.com/Mf5GeK6igB
Blay had one tackle versus Nebraska in 2023 and two tackles and 1.0 TFL versus North Carolina State in 2024 in his two games versus Power Conference opponents playing for Louisiana Tech. Blay has a big step up in competition in 2024 with Miami.
Versatile Miami defensive lineman Akheem Mesidor has the option of entering the NFL Draft or returning for his final season of eligibility. Mesidor has played defensive tackle and edge rusher with Miami. Redshirt sophomore Ahmad Moten and freshman Justin Scott project to have huge increases in snaps in 2024.
Miami is likely not finished adding transfer defensive tackles in the 2025 portal cycle. The winter transfer portal closes on December 28. Players still competing in the College Football Playoff have until five days after their teams are eliminated to enter the transfer portal after the December 28 deadline.