Miami gets major boost on defense with return of All-ACC lineman

Standout defensive tackle Ahmad Moten Sr. is expected to return to Miami for the 2026 season. Moten, who is 6-foot-3, 325 pounds, would be returning for what is his final season in Coral Gables after anchoring one of college football's most disruptive defensive lines this past year.

Defensive tackle Ahmad Moten Sr. is returning to Miami

Miami just came up short in the College Football Playoff national championship game, and the Hurricanes are staring at an offseason where the defensive front could look different quickly. Having a proven interior presence will help the Canes immensely in 2026.

Moten earned second-team All-ACC honors in December, and logged 9.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sackswhile starting 14 games. Moten was credited with 27 quarterback pressures, played a career-high 471 snaps, and posted a 77.6 defensive grade in 2025. In the CFP title game, Moten totaled five tackles, including one for loss, against Indiana.

Moten arrived as part of Mario Cristobal's 2022 class out of Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons and developed into a reliable interior starter as the program climbed back into the national spotlight.

Miami has also already added Ohio State defensive tackle transfer Jarquez Carter.

Miami's getting Moten back at the perfect time. Miami will be losing its two biggest pass-rushers to the NFL in Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor, as well as defensive back Keionte Scott and linebacker Wesley Bissainthe.

In 2025, Bain played 16 games and finished with 54 total tackles (30 solo), 15.5 tackles for loss, and 9.5 sacks. He also logged one forced fumble, one pass breakup, five QB hurries, and one interception for 12 yards.

In 2025, Mesidor played 15 games and posted 63 total tackles (38 solo), 17.5 tackles for loss, and 12.5 sacks. He also added 4 forced fumbles and 6 QB hurries.