The Miami defensive line has been exceptional through the first three 2025 games. Miami faces its biggest challenge upfront defensively versus the Florida offensive line on Saturday night. Pro Football Focus ranked the Florida OL fourth nationally entering the 2025 season.
Miami had the eighth-best DL entering the 2025 season per PFF. Max Chadwick and Dalton Wasserman, who host a PFF podcast, have frequently said early in the season that the Miami DL might be the best through the first three weeks.
In their preview of the Florida at Miami game on Saturday. Chadwick stated about the only thing going right for Florida offensively right now is the play of their OL. Florida is tied for third nationally with an 89.8 PFF pass blocking grade and 16th in the country with a 74 run blocking grade per Chadwick.
The Miami DL is second nationally with a 92 PFF grade. Miami is one of only two teams nationally in the top five in PFF run and pass defense grade. The Hurricanes are second nationally in run defense grade and fifth in pass defense grade.
Miami is 48th nationally with 19 tackles for loss and 65th with two sacks. The Hurricanes have four quarterback hurries in four games. Miami had five TFLs and three sacks in the season opener against Notre Dame, who PFF ranked as the ninth-best OL nationally entering the 2025 season.
Chadwick stated there is an argument that Miami defensive lineman Rueben Bain could be the best defensive player in the county. Per Chadwick, Bain is the only edge rusher nationally with 90 plus grades as a pass rusher and a run defender.
Bain leads Miami with 15 tackles, 3.0 TFLs, is second to Akheem Mesidor with 1.5 sacks and has one interception, one pass defended and a forced fumble. Mesidor is second with 13 tackles, tied with Bain with 3.0 TFLs and has 2.0 sacks.
Miami is 15th nationally, allowing 75.0 rushing yards per game and 2.56 yards per carry and tied for 10th with only one TD allowed on the ground. The Hurricanes have held all three of their opponents under 100 yards rushing. Florida is 90th, averaging 137.33 rushing yards per game.
Leader in Pass Rush Win Rate This Season:
— PFF College (@PFF_College) September 17, 2025
🙌 Akheem Mesidor, Miami: 31.7%@CanesFootball pic.twitter.com/jGQbTu0J7d
Chadwick stated the best matchup for Florida at Miami is the OL of the Gators versus the DL of the Hurricanes. Wasserman mentioned former Miami defensive coordinator Blake Baker frequently blitzed Florida last week in a 20-10 win. In Wasserman's words, Miami has Bain and the freaks upfront.
In closing, Wasserman stated Florida has left tackle Jake Slaughter and center Austin Barber as NFL prospects playing against Bain and Mesidor on the edge and expects it to be a fantastic matchup. Bain is currently 10th on the PFF 2026 NFL Draft big board. Barber is 28th. Mesidor and Slaughter are not in the top 50.