Miami defensive tackle David Blay, who transferred from Louisiana Tech during the winter window, was named by Carter Bahns of 247Sports in his "College football transfer portal: Georgia, LSU newcomers among ex-Group of Five stars bound for 2025 success."
Blay brings experience to a Miami defensive line as a fifth-year senior. Before playing two seasons at Louisiana Tech, Blay spent a pair of years at Division II West Chester. After 16 tackles in his first year at Louisiana Tech in 2023, Blay had 46 tackles, 11.0 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks in 2024.
Miami does not have a lot of experience at DT besides Blay. Redshirt junior Ahmad Moten, who has been a backup throughout his Miami career and sophomore Justin Scott, who had seven tackles, 2.0 TFLs and one sack in 11 games as a true freshman in 2024, are expected to be the other primary DTs for Miami in 2025.
Blay has another level he can reach with limited experience versus power conference opponents in two seasons with Louisiana Tech. Blay is one of five Miami incoming transfers from a Group of Five program with cornerback Ethan O'Connor, tight ends Alex Bauman and Jack Nickel and safety Zechariah Poyser.
"Transfer profile: 4-Star | 92 Rating | No. 52 Overall | No. 5 DLCarter Bahns, 247Sports.
The move from Conference USA to the ACC is a big one, but David Blay Jr. already proved he can more than hold his own against power conference competition. He had one of his best games of 2024 last season against Arkansas when he logged five tackles... two tackles for loss and one sack...Blay brings explosiveness to the trenches and is at the very least a rotational piece for the Hurricanes, if not a potential starter."
In addition to his performance versus Arkansas in 2024, Blay had one tackle against Nebraska in 2023 and two tackles and one TFL versus North Carolina State last season. Blay earned first-team All-Conference USA in 2024 after finishing third in the league in TFLs and tied for third in sacks.
Defensive tackle was a priority for Miami to add to its 2025 roster and Blay was one of the top players at the position available early in the portal. Miami defensive line coach Jason Taylor is the only returning defensive assistant on the Hurricanes' staff in 2025.
New defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman plays a more aggressive system than Miami played in the first three seasons under Mario Cristobal. Hetherman's style of play should benefit Blay and the skill set Miami has defensively. Blay could have a breakout season under Hetherman.
There will be a lot of focus on the Miami defense in 2025. Blay should be part of what is projected to be an elite Miami defensive line in 2025, with starting edge rushers Rueben Bain and Akheem Mesidor as returning starters.