Carter Bahns of 247Sports asked, "Will the defensive additions take Miami to the next level?" as part of his article "Burning questions for every college football team in top 25 as spring camp ends, transfer activity slows" in his article posted on Friday.
Miami replaced nearly its entire defensive staff after the 2025 season. Inconsistency hindered Miami defensively throughout the 2025 season. Defensive line coach Jason Taylor is the only returning Miami assistant on defense in 2025.
Miami finished 68th nationally in 2024, allowing 25.3 points per game and 27th, allowing 327.3 yards per game. The last two games of the 2024 season cost previous Miami defensive coordinator Lance Guidry his job. Miami allowed 894 yards and 42 points in each game in losses at Syracuse and versus Iowa State in the Pinstripe Bowl.
Miami's secondary was its Achilles heel in 2024. Miami was 57th, allowing 214.4 passing yards per game, 40th with opponents averaging 6.7 yards per attempts and 92nd, with 22 touchdown passes thrown against them. Miami has nearly completely overturned the entire secondary entering the 2025 season.
"14. Miami Hurricanes: Will the defensive additions take Miami to the next level? Between coordinator Corey Hetherman and a host of transfers, the Miami defense looks much different this spring. Changes were necessary after the unit held the Hurricanes back from a CFP spot in 2024."Carter Bahns, 247Sports
Miami could start an almost entirely new secondary in 2025. Sophomore O.J. Frederique, a 2024 freshman All-American, is likely the only returnee to start for Miami in the secondary in 2025. Charles Brantley and Xavier Lucas at cornerback and Zechariah Poyser and Jakobe Thomas at safety are transfers projected to start for Miami in 2025.
Washington State transfer Ethan O'Connor and Damari Brown, a starter for Miami to begin the 2024 season before getting injured, add depth for the Hurricanes in the secondary. Mario Cristobal and his staff have turned a weakness for Miami in 2024 into what should be a strength entering the 2025 season.
Carson Beck should not have the game pressure at quarterback that Cam Ward had in 2024. The Miami offense had to carry the defense too often in 2025. The additions Miami made defensively to its 2025 roster, the coaches and the system Hetherman is installing are better fits for Miami, per Cristobal.