Defensive players Miami football needs to develop at every position
The Miami football team improved from the 67th-ranked defense nationally in 2022 allowing 26.8 points per game to 44th and 22.8 PPG in 2023. In their second season under Guidry expect Miami to take a further leap in the rankings. Miami has added several key defensive transfers to the 2024 roster.
Miami added two key edge rushers, three defensive tackles, a linebacker and two safeties who are projected to be starters or at least in the defensive rotation in 2024. The transfers fill in holes where Miami was inexperienced. Miami needs some of its returnees to step up and develop in 2024.
Miami faces a season where they need to develop their defensive line and safeties. The five additions to the DL are mostly a one-season answer to the lack of experience and depth. Miami is extremely thin and inexperienced at safety entering the 2024 season.
Edge rusher is the deepest position on the Miami defense. Miami signed the best 2024 DL class. The experience at edge rusher will allow the true freshmen time to develop in 2024. Miami will start a very experienced defense in 2024. Many of the players are new to Miami however.
. 834. Rueben Bain. . Rueben Bain. DL. Sophomore . 6'3, 275 pounds. Rueben Bain. player
Bain was the 2023 ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year, but he can continue to develop in 2024. Bain had a dominant streak in the middle of the season but had only 11 tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss and 1.0 sack in the final four regular season games. With 7.0 tackles, 3.0 TFLs and a forced fumble. Bain was dominant in the Pinstripe Bowl versus Rutgers.
. LB. Wesley Bissainthe. junior. Wesley Bissainthe. Wesley Bissainthe. player. 834. . 6'1. 205 pounds
Miami needs Bissainthe to develop as much as a junior as he did during his sophomore season. Bissainthe improved from 30 tackles as a freshman in 2022 to 44 during his 2023 sophomore season. Bissianthe improved significantly in the second half of last season with 31 of his 44 tackles in his final seven games.
Zaquan Patterson. Safety. Zaquan Patterson. Zaquan Patterson. 834. . 6'0, 185 pounds. 63. player.
Patterson has the opportunity to become the next safety to start for Miami as a true freshman. Washington transfer Mishael Powell is projected as one starting safety for Miami. The other starting safety will be wide open upon entering August training camp. Patterson is the most talented safety on the Miami roster.
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Miami has significantly upgraded the depth and experience on its 2024 roster. Bain and Bissainthe should continue to develop in their second full season as starters. If Patterson can emerge as a true freshman, the defense can continue to improve during the 2024 season.