Defensive tackle Justin Scott and defensive lineman Armondo Blount and edge rushers Hayden Lowe and Marquise Lightfoot provide Miami with four five-star players up front on defense in 2026. Mario Cristobal, emphasizing the line of scrimmage in building his roster, has paid off in recruiting.
Blount, Lightfoot and Scott signed with Miami in the 2024 class and Lowe was in the 2025 Hurricanes' class. Blount, Lightfoot and Scott all played a part in the Miami run to the College Football Playoff National Championship Game in 2025. Lowe missed his true freshman season with an injury.
According to David Lake of Inside the U, Scott was the best DT for Miami during the CFP run. In four CFP games, Scott played 181 defensive snaps, recording seven tackles and eight quarterback pressures per Lake. Scott had 26 tackles, 6.5 TFLs, 1.0 sack, one pass defended and one forced fumble in 2025.
Lightfoot had 25 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, 2.5 sacks and one pass defended in 2025. In the four CFP games, Lightfoot had seven tackles, 2.0 TFLs and one sack. Lightfoot had one of the biggest plays during Miami's CFP run when he hit Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin, which resulted in the game-clinching interception by Jakobe Thomas.
Miami may be losing Bain and Mesidor, but this is what they’re starting 4 is expected to look like next season:
— Recruits CFB (@recruits_cfb) January 22, 2026
• Damon Wilson
• Ahmad Moten
• Justin Scott
• Marquise Lightfoot
The speed of Wilson and Lightfoot off the edge is going to be absolutely electric.
Moten is an… pic.twitter.com/VbQ5kLdNOP
Ready to move into much bigger roles
Blount and Lowe are expected to be part of the 2026 DL rotation and be in much bigger roles in 2026. Blount had 17 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, one pass defended and one fumble recovery in 2025. In the CFP, Blount had four tackles and a fumble recovery.
Lowe missed the entire 2025 season with an undisclosed injury. As a high school prospect, Lowe was the 16th-ranked player overall, second edge-rusher and second player in California per the 247Sports composite rankings. Andrea Adelson of ESPN named Lowe the 2026 Under the Radar Player to Watch for Miami
With Corey Hetherman entering his second season as defensive coordinator, expect Miami to continue to be dominant on the line in 2026. Miami was fifth nationally, allowing 14.8 points per game and with 102 total TFLs and first with 50 total sacks during the 2025 season.
Miami overpowered good Texas A&M and Ohio State offensive lines with 16 TFLs and 12 sacks in their first two CFP games. Despite losing 2026 first-round NFL Draft picks Rueben Bain and Akheem Mesidor, Miami should continue being dominant on the DL in the future.
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