In the preview of Miami at Texas A&M in the first round of the College Football Playoff, Max Chadwick of Pro Football Focus asked, "Can Miami consistently pressure Marcel Reed with a four-man rush?" Chadwick stated Reed has been inconsistent with decision making and accuracy in 2025.
Per Chadwick, Reed is eighth nationally with 18 turnover-worthy plays and his 52.3 percent accurate pass rate is 15th worst among the 141 qualifying Football Bowl Subdivision QBs. Reed is 78th nationally, completing 61.8 percent of his pass attempts and is 99th with interceptions on 3.0 percent of his pass attempts.
Reed also presents a challenge as a runner, ranking 24th in the ACC with 466 rushing yards and six touchdowns in 2025. In a 49-25 win at LSU, Reed carried for season highs of 13 times for 108 yards and two touchdowns. Keeping Reed in the pocket and pressuring him will be critical.
If Miami can get to Reed with four pass rushers, defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman will be able to drop seven defenders into pass coverage. Chadwick stated that Reed has performed significantly better from a clean pocket than under pressure, but also against the blitz versus a standard rush.
"Marcel Reed’s grades by situationMax Chadwick, Pro Football Focus
Situation PFF Grade Big-Time Throws/Turnover-Worthy Plays
Kept Clean 76.0 11/11
Under Pressure 47.8 6/7
Not Blitzed 55.5 7/14
Blitzed 81.7 10/4"
The table illustrates Reed in a standard pocket versus how he performs under pressure. Chadwick noted that Reed struggles when he is forced to read defenses with seven or more defenders in coverage. Reed has performed well when he can throw to his hot routes or escapes with his elite mobility against the blitz.
Chadwick continues that Miami can cause Reed to struggle against four pass rushers. Miami is 13th nationally with a 49.1 percent blitz rate per Chadwick. The Hurricanes are second nationally with a 93.2 PFF defensive line grade per Chadwick, with Miami edge rushers Rueben Bain and Akheem Mesidor in the top five.
When Miami does not blitz, its 37.8 pressure rate is sixth nationally per Chadwick. Miami is 19th nationally, averaging 6.67 sacks per game and is 17th, posting 2.83 sacks per game. Chadwick concluded his synopsis by noting that Texas A&M left tackle Trey Zuhn has a 96.9 pass blocking grade, 3.5 points higher than any FBS offensive linemen.
In what was supposed to be the biggest test for the Miami DL in 2025, the Hurricanes had five TFLs and three sacks against Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish finished 26th, allowing 4.42 TFLs and 11th, permitting 1.0 sack per game in 2025. Miami should be ready for Reed and the Texas A&M OL.