Speaking to reporters after practice on Wednesday, Miami defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman stated they are figuring out where players fit by putting them in the best situation to make plays to utilize a positionless defense. Hetherman specifically mentioned some players might be linebackers, others safeties, nickels, or SAMs.
Miami returns defensive linemen Rueben Bain and Akheem Mesidor, linebacker Wesley Bissainthe and defensive backs O.J. Frederique and Zaquan Patterson as starters from the Pop-Tarts Bowl for the 2025 season. Several new starters for Miami in 2025, particularly in the secondary will be incoming transfers.
Safety Zechariah Poyser who was a freshman all-american at Jacksonville State in 2024 is a near guaranteed starter for Miami in 2024. Transfer cornerbacks Charles Brantley, Emmanuel Karnley, Xavier Lucas and Ethan O'Conno will compete with returnees Damari Brown and Frederique for snaps in 2025.
Miami has a lot of versatility in the secondary with the players previously mentioned and on the defensive line with redshirt freshman Armondo Blount, Bain and Mesidor who can all play edge rusher or in the interior. Bissainthe is the projected middle or mike LB with Raul Aguirre and Cameron Pruitt competing for snaps next to him.
"We got to find out who are the best 11 ...how do we get the best players on the field...There's a lot of guys...playing multiple positions...Some guys might be linebackers, some guys might be safeties...some guys are playing nickels...some...are playing Sam (linebacker) you know everyone's going...to play different spots...I want to see how fast...we can attack...it's figuring out what situation's best for them and how do we put them in the best spot to make plays...it's...positionless defense...everyone's going to be put in different spots we're teaching them fundamentals and techniques right now and then we'll find out where everyone fits as we get closer to the season."Miami DC Corey Hetherman
The projected starters for Miami on the DL are likely Bain and Mesidor as the edge rushers and Louisiana Tech transfer David Blay and sophomore Justin Scott at the tackles. Hetherman has the option to move Bain, Blount and Mesidor around, particularly on passing downs.
In the secondary, Hetherman can move his corners between playing nickel and outside. Hetherman will use the spring and August training camp to determine which defensive backs fit the best in each position. If Miami develops a few players in the secondary who can switch between CB, nickel and even safety that will be beneficial.
Hetherman praised Bain, Bissainthe, Lucas and Pruitt in his first meeting with reporters after the first spring practice. Bain, Bissainthe, Lucas and Pruitt should all be key contributors for Miami in 2025. Bain and Bissainthe are two of the most experienced players on the Miami defense entering 2025.
First look at Canes freshman LB Kellen Wiley, Jr. (30). New DC Corey Hetherman working with the LBs here pic.twitter.com/zTSVJEwfTU
— CanesInSight (@CanesInSight) March 3, 2025
Bain has played in 22 career games in two seasons with 11 starts. Bissainthe has played in 38 career games with 26 starts entering his senior season. Pruitt played in 11 games for Miami as a true freshman in 2024 with 11 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, 1.0 forced fumble, 1.0 pass breakup, 1.0 interception and 2.0 passes defended.
Lucas enrolled at Miami for the spring semester after a complicated departure from Wisconsin. Brantley, Karnley and O'Connor had seamless transfers from Michigan State, Arizona and Washington State. Miami has a nearly remade secondary in 2025 with the exceptions of Brown, Frederique and Patterson as primary returning contributors.